Expendables 3 Review

Can the recipe for Expendables films keep churning out winner?

The third installment in the Expendables film franchise has picked up right where the first two films ended.  In Expendables 3 Stallone's mercenary leader Barney Ross continues to work odd jobs with his band of highly trained operatives. Just as in the last two films Stallone's team is made up of Jason Statham's Lee Christmas, Dolph Lundgren's Gunner Jensen, Randy Coutrue's Toll Road, and Terry Crew's character Caesar.  Joining this star studded cast again is Schwarzenegger, and Jet Li with newcomers Antonio Bandaras, Wesley Snipes, Kelsey Grammer, Mel Gibson, and Harrison Ford.  With so many stars it seems like it would be difficult to work them all in.  However each star plays an interesting character and each seems to have their moment of the film to shine.  This time around Barney Ross takes a job which gets one of his men injured.  (This should sound familiar to Expendables 2) seeking revenge against the man who injured his team member, which turned out to be a former expendable gone rouge, Ross retires his old team to protect them and then assembles a new young team to help him go on a suicide mission. That mission goes south and Ross then needs the help of his old team to help rescue the young team.  Of course, along the way is plenty of laughs and of course fights and explosions.  

Perhaps the best part of these films is that you get to see the old action heroes back in action. Every time a new character steps on the screen you find yourself wondering which big actor will be next.  I also love the fact that these aging action stars know how to make fun of themselves by using lines from their other famous films. It was great to hear Arnold's character Trench yelling over and over "Get to the choppa!"

With the success the other two films in the franchise have had it is no shocker that Stallone and company have put together another great film.  The addition of Gibson, Grammar, and Banderas was great.  You always know what to expect and what you will get with the Expendables franchise.  Big fight scenes, big explosions, huge aging action heroes, and of course comedy. With success like this I wouldn't be surprised if Stallone and company continue to churn Expendables films out as long as they like.  I can't wait to see Vin Diesel and the Rock step into this franchise one day.  I give this film 3 out of 5 stars.  If you liked the first two, you will like this one as well.