The Expendables 2 (2012)

Listen up “men at arms”, on the count to three shoot everything on sight I mean “everything” and ACTION!

Universal Pictures, Lionsgate and Nu Image in association with Millennium Films present…

Soldiers one and all! The “heroes for hire” returns to the big screen with more explosions than all three Michael Bay’s Transformers franchise could even muster and that’s just the tip of the iceberg!

Directed by Simon West (The General’s Daughter) he turns this ensemble cast into a more dynamic sequel. I did appreciate this one coming from the first installment since it has a decent mission to follow not just being thrown into some predicament with a woman acting as ploy to find her rescuers from tyrannical rule! Come on, this film’s premise and predicament is in worldwide scale (wow)! His earlier works at least gives a deliberate and provocative stories and that is where he should derail from, work with the script and screenplay and not just rely on star power to save the day!

Legendary action icons Sylvester Stallone (Rambo) is head honcho Barney Ross and Transporter franchise alpha male is Jason Statham (Killer Elite) he portrays Lee Christmas (come on man!) as they team up to rescue a businessman held hostage which became more complicated when Trench a rival and comrade played by Arnold Schwarzenegger (Terminator) from the hands of Nepalese extremists! While lurking in the dark, the man who will always be a cowboy, Yipee-Ki-Yay (well, not here) Bruce Willis (Die Hard) is the enigmatic CIA Operative named Mr. Church, primarily coming from Covert Black Ops or Government funded projects he still calls the shots, imposing he may be while standing next to Sly still gives me goose bumps he does make a decent anti-hero or a bad guy every once in a while!

A 2^nd Degree Black Belt in Kyokushin Karate Dolph Lundgren (Red Scorpion) since missing Yin Yang en route in China from a previous mission had his eyes in another minority! Psychotic Gunner Jensen was a Chemical Engineer (just like in real life) before he went nuts with a Dancer in a Disco he used to have worked as a Bouncer! In the film, he reunites with Sly from Rocky IV’s Ivan Drago and with kickboxing ace Van Damme in their Universal Soldier projects as Andrew Scott the renegade GR13. Nothing came out of Dolph in this film (especially with Randy Couture) he just served as the team’s comedian without any use except to reply a line or two when needed!

They say that you have to take the bad with the good and frankly he does not give a damn! The lone gunman Texas Ranger, a 10^th Degree Black Belt Shito Ryu Karate (Tae Kwon Do, Jiu Jitsu etc.) and Chun Kuk Do founder Chuck Norris (Missing in Action) as Booker derived from his previous film “Black Tigers” is giving the guys a lot of back up firepower when all the chips are down! He shoots down everyone from the other side of the fence but he in nowhere to be found and yet he walks in the battlefield cool and calm just like that… (what the?)

The not so serious muscle man Terry Crews (The Longest Yard) should be with all honesty got the role for Roadblock in G.I.JOE: Retaliation! He has the comedic wit, firepower and cooking skills even for a Bunsen burner he could make a meal out of it. Hale Caesar is the team’s heavy artillery guy who could blow you away either with his grenade launcher or with his supplementing one liners!

The hand to hand combat expert was replaced by a chick, enter Nan Yu (Speed Racer) as Maggie Chan sent by Church to extract the device that traces the plutonium secluded in a mine which brings us to Kung-Fu and Wushu sensation Jet Li (Once Upon a Time in China) as the hard kicking Yin Yang! He had his moments just to savour his graceful exit knocking out bad guys left and right with frying pans! (Jackie must have been consulted on this…)

While the real brother of the Thunder God (not with the Deer antlers) Liam Hemsworth (The Hunger Games) is sharp shooting Billy The Kid was given credit for his “rookie” entry in the team seeing that he is the only young soldier on the team it does not mean he can’t knock you out as far as a mile away from nowhere. His entry makes the dialogue more humane though sombre and gratifying as the “soldier boy” of the group his loyalty does give him the respect of his peers!

Finally he’s been called in to join…I mean to be the villain! Jean Claude Van Damme (Bloodsport) the very first film I saw this man throw his famous helicopter kick Kumite style! I’ve watched this guy’s films and it was always an adrenaline rush! “Respect is everything, without it we are just common people, shitty common people” nice one Jean! On the other hand, English Martial Artist Scott Adkins (The Shepherd: Border Patrol) as wing man Hector, he reunites with JCVD for the fourth time! Their tandem makes it edgy and flamboyant not backing down even if push comes to shove!

The 80’s and 90’s is the best era there is in indulging cinema with well rounded performances and  breakthroughs in terms of genres like crime thrillers, martial arts, cops and robbers, AWOL soldiers  and even through sci-fi! Our fathers will always have their James Coburn, Charlton Heston, Marlon Brando, Kirk Douglas, James Dean, Sean Connery Charles Bronson and Clint Eastwood on the other hand the generation of today can have their Taylor Lautner and Channing Tatum (yawn!) I grew up with these films and action stars and they’ve become part of culture, heroes one and all whether they came from different fields, they still found their way into this monumental gathering of mercenaries as friends throughout these years!

Before we get killed, let’s move on! It was built in a $100 million budget and Sly wanted to bring in as much as possible actors that have fallen out of movie offers and it’s a generous way to do in order to help out friends in need. For instance Nicolas Cage and John Travolta was offered, while from the Orient martial arts superstar Jackie Chan and Donnie Yen were taken into consideration but most of them declined due to scheduling conflicts or the part was not enticing enough!

What is a testosterone driven story without the elements of combat, some rough housing, guns and oh, just the fate of world that hangs in a balance amidst an impending nuclear war! I guess it would have been better when the story comes into play which is actually evident here than the first film. There is a wider scope on the premise, still mission centric but with elements that covers the entire story let the viewers just follow the blood and bullet riddled bodies all over the place.

But this was definitely better than the first film with this one having at least an inclination to finish off properly in a sense of stand offs (what’s new?) which is actually clichéd given it’s appropriate fan service running after the villains and picking a fight to know who’s better or who will survive coming out from hanging chains or a rotating blade of a helicopter! The dialogue is mediocre as usual and needs a lot of work especially coming from guys like Sly, Arnold and Jet Li who was actually replaced with a lady (just for eye candy) to add insult to injury.

All the banters from the legendary action stars made it cheesy already entertaining but sometimes silly where lines just come out as adlibs just to incite previous films or works that just needs to make the male populace reminisce the days, the old days if you catch my drift! In terms of violence, there were a lot of blood spilled from punctured human beings coming from incoming ballistics as if they were there for target practice shooting only, knives thrown or stabbed wherever you like, burnt corpses from a cannon equipped seaplane which makes sense since they are just “cannon” fodder! (I made a funny).

Well, nobody leaves without a kiss from JVCD’s foot, pun intended! He made sure of that since Sly got his Rocky thing rolling against “The Villain” who is actually the name of his character!!! Maybe they had so much time to have fun shooting people that they forgot they’re making a film which includes decent screen names for starters! There were plenty of time to make the script but seriously Sly should have changed the names Barney, Christmas, Yin Yang, Toll Road, Hale Caesar and lastly, Jean Vilain, it “may” have been codenames but it wouldn’t hurt giving well thought off ones?

Pure adrenaline “mindless” action the way it was not meant to be…unfortunately, all were expendable to each and every last one of them!

The Expendables (2010)

So full of adrenaline pumped action that it gave no meaning on who or what these guys are shooting at!!!

Lionsgate and Nu Image in association with Millennium Films present…

The film in a general perspective is nicely done, although the plot was a bit easy to play with. But important thing was, Sylvester Stallone assembled a cast that is truly daring, applaudable and amazing! (on a one sided note)

The soldiers turned mercenaries alone was impressive to look at but there are hinges from the script from which Stallone visualized that makes it lack depth of story and intention. The story he co-wrote was about mercenaries who does Black-Ops when their country can’t or won’t do anything about these specific missions.

In retrospect, Stallone has made very convincing and iconic portrayals in his Rocky and Rambo films. He knows his field very well and explores more on how he can improve and make stories that are worth seeing!

So it begins…

Somalia, a boat was captured by pirates and demands $5 M for the hostages, Ross (Sly Stallone) with his team has given $3 M to free them, but Jensen (Dolph Lundgren) just got a little bit trigger happy!

Then people started to become smear on the wall! Restrained, Jensen was ordered by Ross to leave the team for being loose cannon and for his psychological instability.

This was the part the audience applauded the trio. Enter CIA Agent Mr. Church (Bruce Willis) and Trench (Arnold Schwarzenegger), together they were discussing on whom was going to take the mission, a little verbal exchange with Ross and Trench since they were rivals from past missions, with everything said Ross got the deal from Mr. Church, but not without a warning!

Ross together with Lee (Jason Statham), did a reconnaissance in Vilena as World Wildlife Conservatory agents. They met a freedom fighter woman which made it more difficult for them since it was the Dictator General Garza’s daughter. Trying to save her, she willfully stayed instead to fight for her country. They left with a lot of casualties and Ross is now feeling the guilt of leaving the woman behind. He wanted to come back alone but not without company.

As action heroes, fighting is in their forte already, I was expecting that there would be a showdown with either Yin (Jet LI) or Lee with The Brit (Gary Daniels) who was one of the best kick boxers of his time but unfortunately he was tag teamed and got kicked in the ass! (in the head as well). While taking down soldiers with Toll (Randy Couture), Ross was wrestling with Dan Paine (Steve Austin) on the other side. Now, here comes their weapon specialist Hale Caesar (Terry Crews) with his tank of a gun, who blows up everyone and everything in its path. Running for his life together with the daughter ex-CIA James Monroe (Eric Roberts) was gunned down and knifed by both Ross and Lee at the end.

Going back to LA, Tools (Mickey Rourke) is having a knife throwing contest with Lee, while Yin and Jensen having reconciled regarding their past arguments (and some!)

Well, that’s all about it some parts were awesome at the same time other sequences were dull and lacks delivery. Audiences pre-dominantly for the male went for the gut wrenching, testosterone level of action moreover with the names involved and was gathered has been set as a must see for a long time! Stallone could have been great with this, he actually directed and wrote his “Rambo IV” film and it did great in the box office. Maybe there was too much talent around that he was all over the place thinking everyone will be given justified roles in an equal, no holds barred manner.

Many got curious on how the film and cast was planned out; actually giving emphasis on more action heroes that should have been added into the line up. Now here they are:

1. Steven Seagal – was offered but had past issues with the film producer.

2. Jean Claude Van Damme – was offered but didn’t see any importance to his role.

3. Wesley Snipes – was offered the role for Hale Caesar, but declined, he has his own reasons for not joining the bandwagon.

4. Kurt Russell – should be doing the part of Mr. Church but later was offered to Bruce Willis (which many would agree to be the better of the two).

People can have mixed reviews for this film, but I understand how Sly was able to bring this together, his work ethic is over the top! And with the casts reputation and camaraderie these past 30 years, all was done abruptly but with a least a decent impression! It was a simple story but very entertaining indeed, with all the characters having a good time and having that respect for each other. I do hope the sequel can be a little more comprehensive and a plot that really works and would sell for the demographics involved. Still, worth the wait and I believe Sly will redeem himself on the next run…

It’s all in a day’s work for the Expendables!

Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003)

The Terminator was a classic, Judgment Day was epic and Rise of the Machines was erratic!

Warner Bros. Pictures in association with Columbia Pictures, C2 Pictures and IMF Internationale present…

It follows the story of a man, a hesitant soldier on the run trying to prevent an inexorable future that will be ruled by the machines and for them to annihilate all humanity!

The film had a lame opening credit which at least had been given the score or theme to provide more weight and levity! The introduction of the Terminators and a resistance soldier from the previous films indicated the transport sphere was clichéd though was still very iconic as it gives a feeling of a typical real sci-fi experience! I see it just to please the modern audience with mediocrity, before it was thugs flying all over the place combined with broken arms and a concussion emphasizing on the Terminator’s killer programming but here, it was neither given ample sense of drama nor ingenuity (even Arnie got a new programmed statement from…).

The Austrian “man muscle” himself Arnold Schwarzenegger (Predator) “is back” reprising his role as the Terminator from the T-805 series and model 101! It clearly specifies the endoskeleton blueprint it was derived from and what cellular structures that were developed as well! For the sake of argument, Arnold has aged since his last portrayal his character is still intact but his delivery is sluggish (I know, it is a cybernetic organism of course) but seriously speaking, everyone can agree that his performance playing the cyborg was not as dominating and intimidating as before!

Now on an indefinite sabbatical from his duties as Californian Governor, he focuses on projects being offered both from the small and big screen! They are currently working on a animated series that depicts some elements of this franchise where Arnold is “The Governator” I don’t know if it’s going to sit well for the audience… will find out soon enough!

This is the life even for deserving actors like Nick Stahl (The Bully) who plays the pivotal role of John Connors can have its ups and downs seeing him a fewer times in cinema makes it more coherent on bankable stars in getting the spotlight. After ten years of being alone, not inclined with the world for the fear of tomorrow…he became a lost soul searching for answers that would find a way to rectify the inevitable holocaust! Not a juvenile as he was before and yet, instilled with the paranoia that makes him stronger each day, he continues to trudge on the burden of humanity’s safety!

She is the daughter to Skynet’s creator; Claire Danes (Romeo & Juliet) gives her part as Katherine Brewster who is also in the “should be dead” list where the names Jose Barerra, Elizabeth Anderson William Anderson and CRS (Cyberdata Research Systems) Head Lt. General Robert Brewster will have important roles later in the film! I still remember her better character portrayal in “The Rainmaker” and in “Stardust” very tranquil, innocent and still full of life. Claire can be derivative and plain but she still got that spark to be better, she could improve more on her delivery and portrayals if she wants too!

From the heroine now we upload the villainess, I always wanted Kristianna Loken (Bloodrayne) to be involved in better made films since she can match up the looks and toughness from any actress around her work on Painkiller Jane can be considered (well, acting needs to be definitely improved) she embodies T-X, a highly advanced Terminator compared to Arnold’s version which combines nanotechnology, cybernetics and is a polymimetic rolled into one badass assassin! Her portrayal was based on mime movements to inject a poker faced killing machine; well at least it was better that way since she needs the training for the part anyway!

The film’s outlook on its premise is edgier and combines fantastic combination of CG, animatronics and robotics! I would say the trisect of the Visual, Special and Makeup Effects Departments have made a solid infrastructure for the actual events taking place in both the present and future depictions of the story! Some hits and misses with regards to its authenticity which shows especially in the fight scenes but still fully understandable in my opinion.

Action and stunts are well coordinated, it even had great car chase scenes in which T-X had some help from “untransformed” vehicles as she was able to jump start patrol cars and fire trucks like it was remote controlled, telekinetically linked “machine” style! There were also moments of brand awareness coming from Xenadrine for weight loss, I remember from the first movie on how John wore those Nike rubber shoes from the mall they were hiding from just funny fillers I guess!

I just wished James Cameron the creator of the myth could have at least given supervision for Director Jonathan Mostow (Breakdown) and crew! Back then, films like these were mere science fiction, only derived from the minds of artists, writers and visionaries that would change the world we live in and today technology is rampant and readily available. The influx of its coverage is suffocating that allows fewer films to provide a real sense of being sublime!

Fast paced and full of action spectacle! It still gave me an impression of being better than the first film but lacks the intensity and plot driven characters of the sequel! The story made it more interesting since it covers already the feeling of surrendering to something bigger than two soldiers carrying the fight and they will just need to intake this phenomenon in a slow breathing manner! Most people will die but the main point is the survival of the protagonist will give more sustainability for not a just another story to be captured on screen but to give it hope that it’s an open ended film and to face the “storm” at hand, salvation is coming!