Sylvester Stallone, an enduring icon of the silver screen, has graced audiences with his presence in numerous legendary franchises over the years. While “The Expendables” series has consistently taken a back seat to Stallone’s more illustrious roles like Rocky and Rambo, it did offer a nostalgic dose of old-school action in its initial two hard-R rated installments. However, the ill-fated decision to water down the action in “The Expendables 3” by aiming for a PG-13 rating, a choice later lamented by Stallone himself, led to the franchise’s weakest box office performance.
Expendables 4 Movie Review – A Lackluster Sequel in an Aging Franchise
Expendables Movie Review – Nearly a decade after that lackluster release, “Expendables 4,” or as it’s marketing itself, “Expend4bles,” has emerged. It seems as if the naming inspiration came from the same creative minds behind “Scre4m” and “Fant4stic.” Unfortunately, returning to the franchise’s R-rated roots doesn’t guarantee success, as exemplified by the lackluster “A Good Day to Die Hard.” “Expendables 4” disappointingly adds itself to the list of uninspiring sequels, failing to rejuvenate a franchise that, much like its aging heroes, is well past its prime.
Jason Statham Takes the Lead, but Expend4bles Fails to Shine
This time around, the torchbearer for the action franchise isn’t Stallone but Jason Statham, who not only reprises his role as Barney Ross but also takes on the mantle of producer. This marks Statham’s fourth film of the year following “Operation Fortune,” “Fast X,” and “Meg 2: The Trench.” While he remains a busy actor, Statham’s portrayal has remained strikingly consistent over the decades. The only other returning stars are Dolph Lundgren and Randy Couture, leaving a void in the franchise where the iconic faces of Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bruce Willis, Harrison Ford, Chuck Norris, Wesley Snipes, Terry Crews, and Jet Li used to be. Their absence leaves a gaping hole in the heart of the franchise, and “Expendables 4” fails to fill it adequately.
Adding to the ensemble are 50 Cent, Megan Fox, and Levy Tran, none of whom possess the cinematic legacy or charisma of the aforementioned action legends. Jacob Scipio steps in as the son of Galgo, a character portrayed by Antonio Banderas in the third installment. The conspicuous absence of Banderas might be due to his reluctance to return, but Scipio’s impression of Banderas’s motormouth character doesn’t quite measure up. None of these characters offer much depth or entertainment value, a trademark shortcoming of the entire “Expendables” series. Even Tony Jaa, a welcome addition with his martial arts prowess, is burdened with cringeworthy dialogue, leaving audiences feeling as attached to these characters as they would to plastic action figures.
Iko Uwais as the Villain: Missed Potential in Expend4bles
One might hope that “Expendables 4” could at least deliver a compelling villain. The franchise has previously featured antagonists played by Eric Roberts, Jean-Claude Van Damme, and Mel Gibson. In this installment, Iko Uwais takes on the role of the villain, a promising choice given his martial arts skills showcased in “The Raid” movies, “Headshot,” and “The Night Comes For Us.” However, as with many martial artists in Hollywood, Uwais’s potential is underutilized. The film holds back on showcasing his formidable fighting abilities until the final act.
When the long-awaited fight sequences finally arrive, they are marred by mediocre framing and shot choices. Directed by Scott Waugh, whose track record in action movies has been less than stellar with films like “Need for Speed” and “Hidden Strike,” “Expendables 4” falls short of the high-octane action standards set by directors like David Leitch, Christopher McQuarrie, and Sam Hargrave. While the movie offers sporadic moments of entertainment, particularly in the climactic set piece, it fails to leave a lasting impact once the credits roll.
Despite its hard-R rating, “Expendables 4” reintroduces the blood splatters reminiscent of the first two films but fails to deliver a truly brutal experience. The lackluster characterization undermines the potential threat posed by Uwais’s character, and key scenes fail to elicit the intended emotional impact due to uninspired direction. The film also lacks the novelty of seeing ’80s and ’90s action heroes like Schwarzenegger, Willis, and Ford fully embracing their iconic personas. Instead, Stallone’s role feels like a glorified cameo, Statham engages in a forgettable brawl with a misogynistic social media influencer, and 50 Cent… well, he simply delivers some forgettable lines.
In summary, “Expendables 4” comes across as empty, purposeless, and devoid of the spark that once made the franchise an adrenaline-pumping joyride. It appears that this time, it should have remained Missing In Action, as it ultimately sinks without a trace.