The Expendables 3 Review

 The Expendables 3 review – the film will leave you wanting more…

Director:  Patrick Hughes

Starring:Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Mel Gibson, Jason Statham, Harrison Ford, Antonio Banderas, Wesley Snipes, Dolph Lundgren.

Running Time: 126 Minutes.

Certificate: 12A.

What is the plot? 

Barney (Stallone), Christmas (Statham) and the rest of the team comes face-to-face with Conrad Stonebanks (Gibson), who years ago co-founded The Expendables with Barney. Stonebanks subsequently became a ruthless arms trader and someone who Barney was forced to kill… or so he thought. Stonebanks, who eluded death once before, now is making it his mission to end The Expendables — but Barney has other plans. Barney decides that he has to fight old blood with new blood, and brings in a new era of Expendables team members, recruiting individuals who are younger, faster and more tech-savvy. The latest mission becomes a clash of classic old-school style versus high-tech expertise in the Expendables’ most personal battle yet.

Review

It has been four years since Sylvester Stallone first launched The Expendables film and as the poster shows  there are 16 key members of the cast in this instalment.  The large majority of them from iconic action hero movies from the Eighties such as Arnold Schwarzenegger, Mel Gibson, Wesley Snipes and Dolph Lundgren – who are all reunited for what is expected to be the final film from the franchise. 

As exciting as it is to have them all in one film, don’t get your hopes up on seeing them all appear on the screen together in frequent scenes.  All of the characters tend to have their own onscreen moments, which are meant to tie the plots together in the story:  Kelsey Grammer is the brains of the group, acting the part of a recruitment consultant and Harrison Ford, is the CIA officer Max Drummer in charge of piloting the helicopter. 

Of course it wouldn’t be The Expendables without some muscle men from the Eighties, cue Sylvester Stallone and co.  Once all of the characters are introduced for the first time and familiar faces reminisce, it is time for the heroes to step up to their roles and head off to a third-world called Banana-stan, where Conrad Stonebanks, an evil arms dealer (Mel Gibson) is hiding out with his private security force.

Finally, you get to see some action as missiles are fired, buildings are aflame and we even get to giggle at a few comical moments involving Arnold Schwarzenegger.  The action is unfortunately rather short-lived and in the blink of an eye, the team are back in America and the credits roll. 

Despite there being so many famous faces part of this film, none of them really feel like they are there in a cameo role as Stallone and his two co-writers have evenly divided up screen-time and it works well, even down to the final scenes in the bar during a team debrief.

The director, Patrick Hughes tried to include some high-action shots, but perhaps the need to tone down the violence to keep the12A certification has had a slightly negative effect on the outcome of the film.  When watching these infamous heroes all grouped together, you come to expect high-octane action, drama and explosions, but unfortunately if this is what you were hoping for, you may leave slightly disappointed. 

What’s great about the film?

Having so many action heroes together all in one film.  They all get their fair share of the limelight and none of them are like an added extra.

What’s wrong with it?

The lack of action disappoints.  We want to see muscles, mayhem and madness.

Verdict

★★★

Still thinking about going to watch it?  Well here is the trailer to tempt you…

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