THE EXPENDABLES 3 - updated

(2014) 126 Minutes, Rated PG-13

Mike's Review:   Much better than The Expendables 2, and close to the first Expendables which started it all.  This time the story was better and seem more plausible.  The addition of the younger crew was interesting and seeing the old school crew back in action was enjoyable to watch.

The things I didn't care for in this movie were more along the special effects side.  For example the use of green screen when they are driving around recruiting the new team and the just bad CGI that was mixed into the helicopter fight scene was kind of cartoon-ish.

But on the other side the big hard core explosions and hand to hand combat was pretty good.

Now its going to be interesting to see if there will be an Expendables 4 due to the fact this one isn't doing so hot at the box office.  But if there is another sequel, I think Lou Ferrigno should be in it this time.

Best Scene: The truck chase scene had some good stunts but I also liked the building demolition..  

Mike's Rating: Worth the price of the Ticket

Bean's Review: Much, much better than the second Expendables, which I barely remember, as it was so bad.  Great opening with tons of unique stunts.  The storyline was believable, for this type of movie.  The original characters were easy to connect with and the dialogue, although containing some clichés, was good with some humor.

Although I know this movie was incorporating the aging-experienced characters with the new recruits, some actors are really showing their age and perhaps should give up this type of movie.   I do enjoy Harrison Ford’s acting and most of his movies, but his acting in this movie was way over-done.  If it was intentional on the director’s part, it did not work for me, as it was just annoying. 

As for Antonio Banderas, it was great to see him in a movie, as he does so few.  However, I did not care for his character.  I rather see him as a stronger actor, such as in Assassins and Desperado, as opposed to the desperate, sorry character this storyline provided for him.

For the most part, I did like the new recruits, especially Glen Powell, playing Thorn.   And the addition of a female was done well, as there was no stupid sex banter amongst the team.

Mel Gibson did a good job of playing the bad guy, but a fight with Sylvester Stallone was a bit silly, as Mel Gibson could not withstand even one punch from Stallone let alone a whole fight scene.

I was not sure how the storyline would incorporate Kelsey Grammar, as he is by no means of the Expendable genre, but the directors did well in placing him as a recruit monger

Best scene:  when Christmas and “Doctor Death” throw the darts

Bean’s rating:  Full price ticket 

A.C.'s Review: If it’s August it must be time for another EXPENDABLES movie! In this third installment of the franchise the aging action heroes from the 1980’s and 90’s once again find themselves going up against a super bad guy-this time played by  Mel Gibson.

Outside of Wesley Snipes joining the team and the addition of some young Expendable recruits  there isn’t much new here but that doesn’t mean it isn’t enjoyable. The finale where the team literally takes out almost an entire platoon of bad guys is a sight to behold.

Much has been made as to whether the recent online piracy of this movie, the PG-13 rating or discontent with  part 2 has led to lackluster box office results. I can’t really say which is to blame-my guess is that the concept while novel at first is wearing off. With that said I hope there is one last Expendables mission where the action lives up to the name and the Expendables all die sacrificing themselves for some greater good. That way the series would go out with a bang.

I am also hoping the low box office doesn’t affect plans for the proposed EXPENDABELLES featuring and all woman cast of female action stars…imagine Angelina Jolie, Lucy Liu, Michelle Rodriguez and others teaming up…well, that would get me there opening weekend.

One final note on EX-3. The inclusion of the Antonio Banderas character nearly derailed the entire movie. For some reason screenwriter Sly thought it would be a good idea to drop an alleged “comic” character into the middle of this movie. I love GILLIGAN’S ISLAND but that doesn’t mean I want Gilligan in the midst of an action movie. The character was not funny and annoying.

:Best Scene: The Expendables decimating an army with the help of Han Solo at the controls of a helicopter and hearing Arnold’s trademark “Get to the Choppah” line.

A.C.'s Rating: Full Price