FA+
Shop
Movie Observations #2
11 years ago
Expendables 3
* The best storyline by far of the three films, and the most thorough character development.
* Incredible action sequences and FX, though that's to be expected of a modern, big-budget action film. Some say the action is way over-the-top, but hey, it's a throwback to 80's shoot-em-ups; it's supposed to be. If anything, it's far from boring by way of action.
* Among the most fun part of the film, as with Expendables 2, is waiting for Arnold to drop one of his famous lines. Hell, Arnold is the quintessential action hero, it's only appropriate that he steal a few scenes here and there. "You're still an idiot!" "I lied." "C'mon, let's get to the choppa!"
* Disappointing that Church didn't make an appearance, but seeing as he was probably filming Sin City 2 at the time, it's understandable. Perhaps he'll reappear in Expendables 4, which I believe is currently rumored to be in development, or in the earliest stages of planning; spoiler alert, Pierce Brosnan is rumored to be on deck for Ex4... I wonder if it'll be as a British secret agent or the villain.
* Speaking of villains, Mel Gibson is fantastic as the heavy, giving his usual eclectic, almost psychotically energetic performance. And he had more than a few badass moments, staying one step of them ahead almost all the way through until he underestimates their ability at the end (predictably).
* Harrison Ford had a few great quotes and a couple moments of badassery.
* The film could stand to spread around the great fight moments, though; Jet Li didn't get to showcase his skills much in this one, nor did Snipes get to bust out his kung fu that often. Most of the heroes spend more time shooting guns than beating baddies up the old-fashioned way.
* Antonio Banderas is hilarious and awesome all at once in Ex3; his fight scenes near the end were among the most badass in the film. Ronda Rousey (sp?) was similarly awesome in her fight scenes, short as they were. Of the others who had great fight moments were Stallone, Gibson, Lutz (as Smiley), Gunnar and Toll Road driving a fuckin' tank, Ford in the chopper (couldn't tell if it was an Apache), and Snipes and Christmas each being short and brutally to the point.
* Snipes turns in a great performance in his few moments, being energetic and whimsically unusual in the way his character conducts himself... as if he's this close to snapping a wire at any moment. Reminiscent of Demolition Man and Blade, but a bit closer to that edge of oddness without going over.
Overall: 4 out of 5 stars. Well worth the money, and looking forward to Ex4.
* The best storyline by far of the three films, and the most thorough character development.
* Incredible action sequences and FX, though that's to be expected of a modern, big-budget action film. Some say the action is way over-the-top, but hey, it's a throwback to 80's shoot-em-ups; it's supposed to be. If anything, it's far from boring by way of action.
* Among the most fun part of the film, as with Expendables 2, is waiting for Arnold to drop one of his famous lines. Hell, Arnold is the quintessential action hero, it's only appropriate that he steal a few scenes here and there. "You're still an idiot!" "I lied." "C'mon, let's get to the choppa!"
* Disappointing that Church didn't make an appearance, but seeing as he was probably filming Sin City 2 at the time, it's understandable. Perhaps he'll reappear in Expendables 4, which I believe is currently rumored to be in development, or in the earliest stages of planning; spoiler alert, Pierce Brosnan is rumored to be on deck for Ex4... I wonder if it'll be as a British secret agent or the villain.
* Speaking of villains, Mel Gibson is fantastic as the heavy, giving his usual eclectic, almost psychotically energetic performance. And he had more than a few badass moments, staying one step of them ahead almost all the way through until he underestimates their ability at the end (predictably).
* Harrison Ford had a few great quotes and a couple moments of badassery.
* The film could stand to spread around the great fight moments, though; Jet Li didn't get to showcase his skills much in this one, nor did Snipes get to bust out his kung fu that often. Most of the heroes spend more time shooting guns than beating baddies up the old-fashioned way.
* Antonio Banderas is hilarious and awesome all at once in Ex3; his fight scenes near the end were among the most badass in the film. Ronda Rousey (sp?) was similarly awesome in her fight scenes, short as they were. Of the others who had great fight moments were Stallone, Gibson, Lutz (as Smiley), Gunnar and Toll Road driving a fuckin' tank, Ford in the chopper (couldn't tell if it was an Apache), and Snipes and Christmas each being short and brutally to the point.
* Snipes turns in a great performance in his few moments, being energetic and whimsically unusual in the way his character conducts himself... as if he's this close to snapping a wire at any moment. Reminiscent of Demolition Man and Blade, but a bit closer to that edge of oddness without going over.
Overall: 4 out of 5 stars. Well worth the money, and looking forward to Ex4.
