Film
“The Expendables 2” Is High-Octane Action
By LaDale Anderson
Aug 23, 2012 - 5:44:26 AM

HOLLYWOOD—When “The Expendables” arrived in theaters back in 2010, the first thing that came to my mind was the movie “Ocean’s Eleven:” a movie with a list of high caliber stars but little plot guiding them. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed “The Expendables, which contained nearly every action star in the world. Fast-forward two years later and we have the sequel to that box-office hit, “The Expendables 2.” 

The cast includes powerhouses like Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bruce Willis, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Chuck Norris, Jason Statham, Terry Crews, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Randy Couture, and introduces Liam Hemsworth to the mix as well.  The movie opens with the gang saving a Chinese businessman and Ross coming face-to-face with a rival and ally of his: Trench, portrayed by Arnold himself. 

The cast of "The Expendables 2."

What makes this movie such a treat is that it’s a movie so overdosed with adrenaline, it’s hard to understand why anyone would take it seriously, but it’s still an amazing escape from the real world. Of course, the plot is a bit silly at times and the action is over-exaggerated, but it’s a fun ride. The dialogue between these tough-as-nail guys is what keeps the pacing of the movie steady; they take so many jabs at one another.  Everyone has huge egos and wants to be praised for their efforts, but at the end of the day they’re like one big happy family. 

When one of their own, Billy the Kid (Hemsworth), is captured by Jean Vilain (Jean-Claude Van Damme), who is on a mission to locate massive amounts of plutonium and sell it to the highest bidder, the expendables get involved.  It’s an all out epic battle between the forces of good and evil. Of course, we know who triumphs in the end, but it's an explosive ride to get to that point. Audiences should expect loads of gunfire, countless hand-to-hand combat, explosions galore and loads of corny dialogue at times.

If it’s a picture full of testosterone that audiences are after, “The Expendables 2” is a must-see. Without a doubt, men will love the movie. Women who enjoy action movies will enjoy the picture as well.  My brain is just running with ideas for what they can do and who can join the gang for “The Expendables 3,” because let’s face it, we all know it’s happening in the near future.