The Expendables: Same can be said about the plot...

Yeah, it's a pretty late review. I only saw this a couple of days ago because I heard lukewarm reviews about it from others. If not for the free passes that were given to me and my husband, we would've waited for this on DVD.

Most of you already know the plot: a group of mercenaries, led by Barney Ross (Sylvester Stallone), hired to take out people that other people don't like. For their latest mission, the task is go to Vilena, an island off South America to assassinate the dictator. But when Ross and Lee Christmas (Jason Statham) go there for reconaissance, they learn that the one they're really supposed to take out is a rogue CIA agent who's controlling the whole island.

From the cast alone, you know it's going to be an all-out action movie. As one of the producers, Stallone did want this to be a bad-ass action flick, the kind of movie that would remind you of the golden days of action, complete with blood, broken bones, dismembered body parts, and lots of explosions and fireworks. I think he enjoyed doing the latest Rambo movie that he wanted to do the whole action bit again.

But with his age, I guess he knew he couldn't do much of the action sequences required. And that's why Statham really shined in the stunts department in this movie. It's almost like he did Stallone's "dirty job."

The problem, though, with having a huge ensemble packed in one movie is that one, or some, may have less highlights than the other. For example, Jet Li's moment was when he kicked Dolph Lundgren's butt. Dolph Lundgren's moment was when he kicked Jet Li's butt. Same goes with Randy Couture and Stone Cold Steve Austin (MMA wins over WWE?). Terry Crews' moment was... probably beating the lights out of all the minor characters. Mickey Rourke -- well, he had a moment, and a dramatic one at that. Complete with blue lighting. Hmm, still making a killing out of your Oscar nomination?

But one high point for this movie is that after watching all the action sequences and explosions, you'll be going out of the cinema feeling super macho, reminiscent of the feeling the movie 300 gives you minus the "Awoo!" yell. If only for that, you have a reason to go and see this movie. Never mind the plot -- too superficial, one thing that's probably "expendable" about the whole movie. But it's still entertaining. Just keep in mind to not mind the plot and concentrate on the action itself.