Armed with every weapon they can get their hands on, the Expendables are the world's last line of defence and the team that gets called when all other options are off the table.
For nearly fifteen years, The Expendables franchise has defied the odds, offering employment to Hollywood's ageing action icons. In Expend4ables, directed by Scott Waugh and featuring an ensemble cast of action stars, the formula of high-octane action, witty banter, and larger-than-life characters continues.
Expend4ables plunges our band of mercenaries into a perilous mission: thwarting a group of commandos, led by the enigmatic Ocelot, from stealing nuclear warheads. Ocelot's grand scheme to profit from igniting World War III remains somewhat unclear. The mission takes a dramatic turn, leading to the expulsion of Lee Christmas, portrayed by Jason Statham, Barney's trusted lieutenant.
The Expendables are renowned for their uncompromising approach to meting out justice, often accompanied by terse one-liners. This time around, the leading duo of Sylvester Stallone and Jason Statham is joined by familiar faces like Dolph Lundgren and Randy Couture, alongside newcomers such as 50 Cent, Tony Jaa, and Jacob Scipio. The film introduces Megan Fox and Levy Tran as Expendabelles, skilled fighters who, unfortunately, serve primarily as eye candy.
What sets Expend4ables apart is its unapologetic embrace of its own absurdity. The film straddles the line between dark humour and wild action, all while acknowledging its own over-the-top nature. While close-combat sequences are frequent and feature kicks, flips, and flashing blades, the choreography lacks finesse.
After an ensemble-heavy opening act, the movie's focus shifts predominantly to Jason Statham. This change might disappoint some fans, given that the franchise has long been synonymous with Sylvester Stallone. Statham's performance shines, but it highlights a recurring trend of his involvement in underdeveloped and poorly scripted productions.
Megan Fox's character attempts to inject an element of female empowerment and allure into the film. Regrettably, these efforts fall flat due to a lack of depth in her acting. The film's portrayal of her character hearkens back to an earlier era when women were often relegated to the role of mere props.
The fight sequences suffer from lacklustre choreography and frenetic editing, making them challenging to follow. Despite its relatively short runtime of around 100 minutes, the film's plot feels shallow, with stilted dialogue and one-liners delivered without the needed charisma. Character dynamics rely heavily on tired clichés.
Expend4ables caters to action enthusiasts who relish deafening shootouts and fiery explosions. It caters to an adolescent fantasy, prioritizing action over the exploration of adult themes or complex relationships. While the series initially exuded a nostalgic charm, uniting action legends from the '80s and '90s, it has gradually lost its way. The absence of familiar faces like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Bruce Willis is palpable.
Despite its shortcomings, Expend4ables finds its groove in an engaging middle section, focusing on Lee Christmas' Die Hard-like escapades aboard a massive cargo ship. The action in this segment, including an exhilarating motorcycle chase, elevates the overall experience.
Jason Statham's charismatic portrayal of Lee Christmas carries the film, particularly during Stallone's absence. Their chemistry is sorely missed when Stallone is relegated to a supporting role, but this shift was necessary for the franchise's evolution.
In the end, Expend4ables may not fully capture the original essence of the franchise, but it remains a decent action film for those seeking a dose of violence and explosions. While it may not reach the heights of its predecessors, it delivers an entertaining, albeit chaotic, experience.
Expendables 4 was released in NZ cinemas on October 5, 2023