Expend4bles

Expend4bles is the fourth installment in the action franchise that began with the idea of reuniting a group of aging action stars for one last adrenaline-fuelled hurrah. Unfortunately, what began as a promising concept turned into a dull, uninspired addition to the series. As we move through this latest installment, it becomes painfully clear that the franchise's heyday is long gone, leaving behind an empty shell of what it once stood for.

At the heart of Expend4bles lies a fundamental problem: lazy writing and indifferent acting. While it's true that the first films in the series weren't known for their Shakespearean dialogue or Oscar-worthy performances, they did possess a certain charm and entertainment value that made them enjoyable for what they were. However, by the time this fourth opus dawns, that charm has all but evaporated.

The film's plot is all cliché, with stolen detonators and nuclear material as the central MacGuffins. The main antagonist, Rahmat, played by Iko Uwais, is a martial arts expert whose skills would make John Wick raise an eyebrow. His motivations are paper-thin, and the identity of his boss is so predictable that revealing it wouldn't even be a spoiler.

Our Expendables team, led by Barney (Sylvester Stallone) and Lee Christmas (Jason Statham), once again find themselves tasked with saving the world. This time, however, the film chooses to sideline Stallone for much of the movie, much to the consternation of fans who associate this franchise primarily with Stallone. The decision to reduce Stallone's screen time is perplexing, given that Statham, while a capable action star, doesn't have the same gravitas in the context of the Expendables universe.

The arrival of Megan Fox in the role of Gina was no doubt intended to add a dose of sex appeal and female emancipation to the ensemble. However, these qualities are perceived as superficial, as her character lacks depth and her acting leaves much to be desired. What's more, the film's portrayal of her character reverts to outdated action-movie tropes in which women are relegated to the status of mere accessories, a blatant step backwards at a time when the industry should be more progressive.

Action sequences, which usually save the franchise, are disappointing in Expend4bles. Most of the explosions and fight scenes seem to rely on CGI, which diminishes the impact and authenticity of the action. The choreography is often uninspired, and the editing is so frenetic that it becomes difficult to follow the action coherently. What should be the film's greatest strength turns out to be one of its most glaring weaknesses.

Expend4bles leaves us feeling tired and disappointed. It feels like a film that should never have seen the light of day, and a franchise that, after nine years of dormancy, didn't deserve to be resurrected. The initial charm of seeing aging action stars teaming up has dissipated, and the magic that made the first installment enjoyable has vanished.

Expend4bles is a dull, forgettable farewell to a once beloved franchise. It fails to capture the essence of what made the first films entertaining, and instead leaves us nostalgic for the days when these action heroes were at their peak. It's a sombre reminder that sometimes it's best to let nostalgia rest and not try to recreate past glory.

Expend4bles
Directed by Scott Waugh
Screenplay by Kurt Wimmer, Tad Daggerhart, Max Adams
Story by Spenser Cohen, Kurt Wimmer, Tad Daggerhart
Based on Characters by David Callaham
Produced by Kevin King-Templeton, Les Weldon, Yariv Lerner, Jason Statham
Starring Jason Statham, Sylvester Stallone, Curtis 50 Cent Jackson, Megan Fox, Dolph Lundgren, Tony Jaa, Iko Uwais, Randy Couture, Jacob Scipio, Levy Tran, Andy García
Cinematography : Tim Maurice-Jones
Edited by Michael J. Duthie
Music by Guillaume Roussel
Production companies: Millennium Media, Nu Boyana Studios, Templeton Media, Grobman Films, Media Capital Technologies
Distributed by Lionsgate (United States), Metropolitan filmExport (France)
Release dates : September 15, 2023 (China), September 22, 2023 (United States), October 11, 2023 (France)
Running time : 104 minutes

Seen on October 8, 2023 at the Grand Rex cinema

Mulder's Mark: