The Expendables 2 (2012)

In 7 words or less: Let's do it over again

What's it all About? Sly and the gang go after the dastardly Jean-Claude Van Damme who is attempting to steal a bucket load of weapons grade plutonium. 


Best bits? The Chuck Norris bit is fun, 'Lone Wolf' indeed, as is JCVD 's performance. It's as if he isn't following the script but instead just channelling his innerself and acting like a crazy weirdo. Stupendous stuff.

Don't mess with me, I know kung-fu

Did it make you think thoughts? This is almost a carbon copy reprint of the previous installment although there are some slight changes. The script is worse, if that's at all possible, there are more one liners and there are more cameos of washed up stars. One character seemingly returns from the dead, one is on the poster but is absent after the first twenty minutes, another from the first film doesn't show up at all and Stallone's crazy magnum PI 'tache is never explained. 

Look at these crazy character names. Love it!

The middle section sags a bit as a pointless sub-plot is tacked on but this does give the viewer a timeout to ponder why most of the cast seem to be in love with wearing flatcaps. Willis hams it up again and is on top cheese form pushing it all the way up to extra mature. Let's not forget Arnie who has a blast with a bag full of self referencing. When they see Chuck show up, Arnie laments,'Who's next? Rambo?' Laughs aplenty. 

Hey, it's the Planet Hollywood gang

Would you watch it again? Yeah, I think it's better than the first one. 

Rating (out of 100%): A hyper violent smorgasbord of 80's nostalgia all rolled up into 101 minutes of fist pumping, heart exploding mayhem. Don't think of it as an oscar winner and you should get something out of it. I give The Expendables an, 'I'm sure they'll be back' 80%