Review: The Expendables 3 and Semi Ode to Action Heroes!

I grew up watching 80's and 90's action movies. Arnie was king to me. I also loved Stallone, Van Damme and Seagal. They made cool action films, with the blockbusters mostly coming from Arnie and Stallone. It's difficult to explain the sense of joy I had as a kid watching their films. It was part of my culture then, and it still is, to some degree. I don't care a huge lot for the direct-to-video films they do now (mainly Van Damme and Seagal there), but, I love the idea of the Expendables. 

Notice I said the idea of it? Well, it is a great concept. Let's bring back the heroes of that time and throw them all together in a movie with some old school action. Sounds great! The first Expendables film is the best to me. It had the perfect mix of nostalgia and hard hitting action. The next 2, which includes this recent one, are still good. You were expecting me to trash it? Because I said I like the idea? Well, no, I can't trash them. Why?

Well, here is why - I don't look at these films with the expectations of the modern day action films. I want to watch these films purely because they have the stars that I grew up loving. Sure, they're old as hell, and the banter between them can fall flat, but man, it just fills me with joy to see them all together, kicking it old school! These guys aren't Expendable to me. They're my first big screen loves. They're the pioneers of action. 

Now, The Expendables 3 is fun. It's probably on par with number 2, although my memory of that is currently a bit vague (I couldn't get around to a rewatch beforehand). We've got another awesome cast, with some newbies thrown in. The newbies, are well, they're ok.  More importantly, we've got Stallone, Statham, Crews, Couture, Lundgren, Li and Schwarzenegger from the previous films, with the great additions of Banderas, Snipes, Grammer, Ford and Gibson to the 'Expendable' side of things. What a freaking cast man! 

The action scenes are well staged if a bit obvious in the dodgy cg department. The editing is also a bit choppy, but I suspect that is done to keep it at a PG level this time round. It doesn't detract from the fun too much. But, you can't help but wonder what it would have been like to see bodies actually being blown apart....oh well, it is a minor gripe. The essence of the films still remain - old school fun. There are some great references to actual life stuff for some of these actors. If you know what's been going on with some of them, then you'll get it. I thought Gibson as the villain was pretty cool. I miss seeing him onscreen.

Don't go in expecting greatness here. But, I hope you have a good time with it, like I did. Bravo to Stallone for continuing to indulge the fans.

Rating:

3 out of 5.