The fourth entry in the action-packed Expendables series, Expend4bles, from director Scott Waugh, brings together an ensemble cast of former action heroes with a few fresh faces. The film ultimately fails to recapture the magic that made the earlier installments of the series so beloved, even though it does offer its fair share of high-octane thrills and nostalgic moments. Additionally, you can’t help but wonder why it was necessary after watching this film. Was there really a huge demand for a fourth Expendables? It’s extremely unlikely, just as it’s extremely unlikely that the film will entertain the majority of viewers.
Expend4bles – Film Review
Published September 21, 2023
Movie Details
The cast, which features action heroes like Jason Statham, Sylvester Stallone, Dolph Lundgren, and Randy Couture reprising their roles, is one of its highlights. In their interactions, their friendship and chemistry from the earlier movies are evident. A mixed bag of performances is added with the addition of Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, Megan Fox, Tony Jaa, Iko Uwais, Jacob Scipio, Levy Tran, and Andy Garcia. While some newcomers give the group depth and vigor, others feel underused and don’t leave an enduring impression.
All of the action is set up by the opening scene. The team’s combat prowess and their fortitude in the face of insurmountable obstacles are on display in this spectacle of destruction and mayhem. An unexpected twist undercuts this thrilling beginning and leaves you feeling empty. I won’t go into detail about what happens because doing so would give away major plot points, but it will undoubtedly leave many viewers completely perplexed. It’s the kind of twist that seems to have occurred more for shock value than to advance a compelling narrative. No one watches an Expendables movie for the storytelling, but there still needs to be a certain level of professionalism.
The film introduces Lash, played by Levy Tran, and Gina, played by Megan Fox, Barney’s former lover, into the team, which causes the narrative to stumble even more. While it is admirable that female operatives would join The Expendables, the way it was done felt forced and didn’t fully incorporate them into the team dynamic.
Action film clichés like Ocelot’s crazy villainous scheme are common, and Expend4bles doesn’t do much to reinvent the wheel. While the hand-to-hand combat and gunfire in the climax are entertaining, they lack the ingenuity and finesse of previous films. Despite being well-choreographed, the action scenes frequently feel dull and repetitive. The twist in the ending, while meant to be a triumphant moment, comes off as a little cliched and predictable.
In spite of its best efforts, Expend4bles ultimately fails to match the magic of its forerunners due to a convoluted plot, underdeveloped characters, and uninspired action scenes. The heart and coherence that made the earlier films in the franchise so memorable are absent from this one, despite the fact that it has its share of entertaining and nostalgic moments. There may be enough for series fans to enjoy, but newcomers are likely to be disappointed. In the end, it’s just another Expendables film. This fourth film serves as a stark reminder of why the franchise was dormant for a very long time. Let’s just hope they decide to bury the hatchet at this point.