THE EXPENDABLES.

As long as we recognize Lucas is washed up and most TV sucks, we'll all get along fine.
GORDON
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Post by GORDON »

GORDON wrote:This movie looks like the Oceans Eleven of power lifting.
No memory of saying that.

I wonder if I have a split personality.
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GORDON
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Post by GORDON »

Hippies don't like this flick. Too "pro-America."

http://video.foxnews.com/v/4316050/america-the-expendable/
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Post by Leisher »

Really? Hollywood makes countless war movies that they admit HAVE AN AGENDA (usually anti-US military) and nobody bats an eye, but Stallone makes an action flick and he's evil because someone thinks it's "too patriotic"?

Why do so many people in this country hate it? Why do they feel so guilty for being born here and/or into money? Why does it make them so incredibly stupid?
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GORDON
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Post by GORDON »

They don't hate America, they are being good American patriots by trying to tear down the system.
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Post by Malcolm »

I'm convinced lots of people have built-in, inherent inferiority complexes.
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GORDON
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Post by GORDON »

GORDON wrote:Hippies don't like this flick. Too "pro-America."

http://video.foxnews.com/v/4316050/america-the-expendable/
I didn't see this message, btw. If anything, more anti-America messages than pro. I didn't see anything outright pro-America, in fact. Just a bunch of American mercs getting paid. Maybe being really good at murdering peeps is a "pro America message," and I am just too old and out of touch to get it.

Anyway, saw the flick. REALLY had the vibe of an 80's action flick..... bullets everywhere, and none hit the good guys. Very Rambo 3.

The cast was fun. Was neat to see Rocky 4 and Ivan Drago squaring off, again. Just needed to happen to a James Brown song.

If you like or appreciate hard action flicks with lots of murder, you'll like this flick. That's the best way to review it.
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Post by Leisher »

(Minor spoilers)

I saw a critic call this "The ultimate popcorn film". I have no qualms with that statement.

Yeah, the action is over the top. Yeah, a lot of it is unrealistic. Yeah, it's filled to the brim with one liners and inside jokes. Yeah, the plot is paper thin.

Still, it's a fun film and it entertains.

I love that Stallone and the writer got everyone their moments in the sun. Still, the guy who really stood out, and you have to wonder if it was intentional, is Statham. He definitely came off as the guy still in his prime and the king shit bad ass. He got the hottest chick too (Charisma Carpenter).

Of the guys headlining the film, nobody looked weak, which sort of shits on Van Damme's concerns and why he refused to do the movie (He was supposed to lose a fight to Jet Li). Based on what I saw, he either was going to play Dolph's role or Austin's lackey. Sort of glad he didn't do this film as he could be a good addition in the sequel.

Dolph was great and, gasp, played an interesting character.

Randy Couture was sort of a background player, and I really thought was body bag material until the second half of the film when they let him unleash his bad ass self.

Terry Crews was simply awesome in his limited role. By far, he'll be Thib's favorite. His street sweeper scene was a laugh out loud moment, especially when seen from Austin's view. That gun was so bad ass it was almost another cast member.

Speaking of Austin, he's rumored to be a legit bad ass. Watch the gag reels and even there the guy never cracks a smile. He even seems to get pissed at Eric Roberts for being unprofessional. Trivia: He broke Stallone's jaw or something during filming. Not intentionally, of course. Easily the most intense guy in the film.

Jet Li got his moves in, but seemed to be there for laughs too. Not at him, but with him.

Rourke was Rourke, which is a good thing.

Eric Roberts was the weakest casting in the film. I've seen him in similar roles and he was better elsewhere. I think he might have had too much fun on set.

And, of course, Willis and Arnie were Willis and Arnie. Both could easily pop up in a sequel. Arnie seemed a bit lax and was probably only on set for an hour or so, so I'll forgive him. Watch Bruce in the gag reels and it's amazing how the man can turn it on and off. He goes from laughing between takes to being a legit intense threat while rolling.

Sorry to run down everyone like that, but you kind of have to with this many names.

The story has Stallone's crew being hired by Willis to eliminate the leader of a drug producing island. The leader, played by Sgt. Batista (from Dexter), is really a puppet controlled by Robert, a rogue CIA operative. Stallone and his crew realize the job is no good, but there's this girl...Cue fight scenes.

There's your movie.

If you're going to see a though provoking art piece, this isn't that film. If you want to see big dudes beat the snot out of one another and blow up everything in sight, this will do the trick.

9 out of 10.
“Activism is a way for useless people to feel important, even if the consequences of their activism are counterproductive for those they claim to be helping and damaging to the fabric of society as a whole.” - Dr Thomas Sowell
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Post by TPRJones »

Meh. Should have been really good, but was just sort of okay.
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Post by TheCatt »

It was pretty good, and kinda exactly what you expect. But I wanted a little bit more from it. Some of the dialogue/acting was just awful.
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