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The Expendables 2 |OT| Track 'em, find 'em, kill 'em.

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That movie was so good. I loved it when JCVD said
Lets wrap this up
Movie felt so awesome like I had been transported back when action stars were bad ass again. I hope they get alan rickman to be a villan in the next one and kick bruce out of a building or a plane or something. Would be epic. I wanted more Dolph. I felt like Jet Li got a killer fight scene again but as always
Statham
got the best fight scene against I think it was
scott adkins?
Wife said I was grinning ear to ear the whole time.
 
I was pretty disappointed, especially considering it was my most hyped movie of the year.

Not enough action at all, and it amazes me that people think the first one takes itself too seriously, while saying that this one doesn't. This one was just as serious as the first one.

But yeah. Probably the biggest disappointment, for me, was:

The finale. They couldn't have made the Van Damme/Stallone fight more disappointing. It was completely one sided, and had no energy to it at all. I really wish it was intercut with action happening outside. That would have helped liven it up a whole lot more. Hell, the entire last act felt rushed and way too short.

Jason Statham was the best part of it, and
did they ever explain why Jet Li just disappears? I'm assuming that was just a deleted scene, because it was really jarring them not mentioning it at all.

I was really surprised with the action. I was expecting it to be way more over the top, and I was expecting there to be A LOT more of it. It really sucked seeing Lundgren relegated to a boring shooting role, when in fact he is an excellently trained fighter in real life.

Not nearly enough JCVD, either.
 
Expendables was one of the most disappointing movie experiences ever. Just crap and a missed opportunity. I'm eager to watch this to see if it's better.
 
Next Expendables needs to have The Rock, Vin Diesel, Jackie Chan and Donnie Yen. The Rock and Jackie Chan can be the main villains. The charismatic and comedic kind who would whoop your ass. Vin should die by Rock's hands. So should Terry Crews. And Jackie Chan and Jet Li can have a rematch. Statham can face off against Donnie.

Final match should be The Rock vs. Sylvester Stallone. Stallone should lose. Then Arnold should come in and do what is necessary to win.

Why all of this? Because hell to the yeah, that's why.
 
Verendus said:
Next Expendables needs to have The Rock, Vin Diesel, Jackie Chan and Donnie Yen. The Rock and Jackie Chan can be the main villains. The charismatic and comedic kind who would whoop your ass. Vin should die by Rock's hands. So should Terry Crews. And Jackie Chan and Jet Li can have a rematch. Statham can face off against Donnie.

Final match should be The Rock vs. Sylvester Stallone. Stallone should lose. Then Arnold should come in and do what is necessary to win.

Why all of this? Because hell to the yeah, that's why.
Click to expand...

That's assuming Arnold is even in decent shape by then. He looks so tired and worn out now, and there are no signs of him becoming anywhere near the shape Stallone is in now.
 
The Mana Legend said:
That's assuming Arnold is even in decent shape by then. He looks so tired and worn out now, and there are no signs of him becoming anywhere near the shape Stallone is in now.
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It will look bad, I understand that. Arnold is old. But it's just something I'd love to see. You could always do a double team. Arnold and Sly vs. The Rock.

I just think whoever the main villain is in the third, needs to be rough and destructive on another level. The kind that you can't handle easily. Beast Mode Rock would be perfect for it. Sly is old. Arnold is old. I'd like to feel that in the next one. Who knows, maybe they pulled off something similar in this Expendables 2. Haven't seen it but I'd imagine they don't play off the heroes being too old for this shit in this movie. But for the third, just one last hurrah type of scene against a threat that seems unstoppable would be cool as an ending.
 
The Mana Legend said:
You seem to ignore how hard it is to stay in that shape when you're that old, regardless of HGH use. The guy works incredibly hard to stay in that shape.
Click to expand...

A lot of it has to do with him never stopping his PED's usage. Look out how young his body looks. They don't call HGH the PED Fountain of Youth for no reason.
 
CaptYamato said:
That's because Sly never stopped his HGH use.
Click to expand...

? From what I recall he stopped using HGH because it's what was causing him to be so bloated looking as he was during Rocky and Rambo recent versions. After he quit HGH he leaned back up the old fashion way and why hes so much more trim now
 
I just saw it. I liked the first a lot more. This one had too many corny lines and forced character interactions. Just didn't do it for me. Was quite slow too.

Like the first one though.
 
CaptYamato said:
A lot of it has to do with him never stopping his PED's usage. Look out how young his body looks. They don't call HGH the PED Fountain of Youth for no reason.
Click to expand...

You're still ignoring how hard he works in the gym. He spends hours upon hours in the gym every day to stay in that shape. You seem to think HGH is just a miracle drug that automatically makes you grow muscle and that you don't actually have to work for it.

And I'm pretty sure he has stopped with the HGH. Look at the differences in his body between Rocky VI/Rambo IV and The Expendables. He isn't bloated looking and looks lean as fuck.
 
I enjoyed it. I wasn't blown away, but it's better than the previous movie. But man, the CG violence and effects were killing me. It was just so obvious, they stuck out like a sore thumb.
 
BattleMonkey said:
? From what I recall he stopped using HGH because it's what was causing him to be so bloated looking as he was during Rocky and Rambo recent versions. After he quit HGH he leaned back up the old fashion way and why hes so much more trim now
Click to expand...

He just tapered the usage. The Bloat happens when you're doing a lot of it, bad diet, or if you just started.
 
CaptYamato said:
He just tapered the usage. The Bloat happens when you're doing a lot of it, bad diet, or if you just started.
Click to expand...

It sounds like you're trying really hard to shoot Sylvester Stallone down and not give him any credit for the incredibly hard work he puts into himself to stay that fit at his age.
 
Also, did anyone else find it hilarious that previews and trailers were trying so hard to prove that the movie didn't have shaky cam, but during the
plane crash sequence
, it was quite possibly the worst shaky cam ever in existence?
 
ezekial45 said:
I enjoyed it. I wasn't blown away, but it's better than the previous movie. But man, the CG violence and effects were killing me. It was just so obvious, they stuck out like a sore thumb.
Click to expand...
Yeah, that's the only part of the movie I didn't like. I really wish they'd go back to practical effects whenever possible.
 
I saw it and had a fun time. Van Damme stole the show - he was a great villain. I only wish he got to dish out more beatings.
Schwarzenegger and Willis
being more involved in the action left me happy. Audience went CRAZY for the
Chuck Norris joke

I'm apparently in the minority in that I liked the first one too, though.
 
BattleMonkey said:
Norris is an awful actor really, why in almost all his action flicks he barely said a word.
Click to expand...

Norris is good at what he does, when a script plays to those strengths the acting is very easy to enjoy. I just don't think Chuck needs tons of dialogue and it's not because he's a bad actor, it's because he communicates with his physical presence (which requires the ability to act) and his one liners were never meant to have the humor say Arnold would have.

Kabuki Waq said:
Scott Adtkins got screwed. Van Damme was decent. Just way too cartoony with horrible writing.
Click to expand...

I think Scott Adkins got a lot of screen time and good end credit billing that this is going to ensure he get's roles for years and possible more higher tier work than his (rather good) work on projects like Undisputed 3.

BattleMonkey said:
Well I always though Kick boxer was a much better film IMHO.
Click to expand...

Plasticine said:
Like BattleMonkey, I've always preferred Kickboxer to it. I do have that double feature BluRay with Bloodsport and Timecop, so I might try to work it in. It's really a question of time. There's only so many hours in a day.
Click to expand...
dZwzl.jpg


Also Forrest Whittaker is in the movie and the soundtrack is GOD tier! Also I've only seen bits and pieces of Kickboxer, plus I'm a sucker for Hong Kong and the film has a lot of Hong Kong people popping up in it like Roy Chiao and Phillip Chan.
 
I was actually surprised by how good Scott Adkins was with the limited screen time. I've never seen the guy before, and was assuming he was just going to be a terrible actor who reads his lines horribly like the other sports stars/martial artists turned actor, Stone Cold and Randy Coutoure.

But he was pretty much perfect with what they gave him.

Actually, wow, I just looked at his filmography. The guy has been in a bunch of movies, so I guess he is a much more experienced actor than I thought.
 
I was surprised by how many non-hammy, talky non-action scenes there were. I didn't see the first one, so I can't compare, but I think the franchise needs less of those.

I'm not a huge fan of the shots where you see the heroes shooting that are immediately followed by shots where you see cannon fodder getting shot. Most of those were early in the movie and they're a little boring.

The fights with Statham were all good. Sly's fight was not so good. There was way too much build up for so little pay off.

Overall it was pretty much what I expected. I might see the sequel.

Well, I will definitely see the sequel if Nic Cage is in it.
 
The Mana Legend said:
I was actually surprised by how good Scott Adkins was with the limited screen time. I've never seen the guy before, and was assuming he was just going to be a terrible actor who reads his lines horribly like the other sports stars/martial artists turned actor, Stone Cold and Randy Coutoure.

But he was pretty much perfect with what they gave him.

Actually, wow, I just looked at his filmography. The guy has been in a bunch of movies, so I guess he is a much more experienced actor than I thought.
Click to expand...

Scott's been around for a while, but hasn't had a breakout of the DTV (which isn't bad work these days) area, I do think he's got a good chance now. The man has talent and now he's getting the exposure he needs.
 
Is it safe to say this movie is probably one of the most badass movies ever by default?

Did Jet Li have scheduling conflicts or something? Shame he wasn't around later.
 
Ouch, judging from the Friday numbers, this isn't going to have a very good weekend. But the word of mouth has been fantastic so maybe Saturday's numbers picked up.

And with the Summer over soon, I don't see it sticking around very long in theaters.
 
Just got back from this.

It follows the same basic concept as the first movie, except it's a big step up. Better action. Doesn't take itself too seriously. Laugh-out-loud moments. References that don't even try to be subtle. More of your favorite 80's action stars. Enough dead guys to fill a airplane hanger.

This is not the kind of movie you need reviews for. From the trailers and people saying "it's better than the first one," you should know what you're getting and you should be able to decide if this movie will be worth your time.
 
Ok went with a bunch of my friends and my wife. I left totally satisfied. It seems I was with a bunch of like minded people in the theater because we all busted up laugh and cheering all in unison. Was a really fun experience lol.
 
Mondriaan said:
The fights with Statham were all good. Sly's fight was not so good. There was way too much build up for so little pay off.
Click to expand...
I think the payoff was fine. I wasn't really expecting much more. And the rest of the movie was good enough that I felt the finale didn't have to carry anything.

Besides, I liked "chains versus knife." It was pretty brutal, even if it was quick.

Overall, Expendables 2 was more fun mindless action, done better than its predecessor (in most areas, anyway). It's not amazing but it does what it needs to do. If there's an Expendables 3 I'll definitely be willing to see it, as I think overall they're getting better at making these movies. I don't think Rambo IV will be topped but I'll keep optimistic.

I will say that more hand-to-hand fights are always appreciated, though. Blowing guys to shreds with guns is great but it gets old after a point, unless they keep upping the ante. At least this movie tried to maintain satisfaction. A good ways into the movie, even after seeing plenty of gun deaths, there's still the part where
a few of The Expendables take down a single guy buy loading bullets into him.
The action was well-balanced throughout the movie so you'd have some bland deaths here and some over-the-top and satisfying ones there.
 
Manos: The Hans of Fate said:
dZwzl.jpg


Also Forrest Whittaker is in the movie and the soundtrack is GOD tier! Also I've only seen bits and pieces of Kickboxer, plus I'm a sucker for Hong Kong and the film has a lot of Hong Kong people popping up in it like Roy Chiao and Phillip Chan.
Click to expand...

1399432_o.gif


I love Forest Whittaker too (his work in Species is sublime), but look at that. JCVD is such a glorious dork, it's unreal. Plus they manage to work in a gunfight and a rocket launcher during the third act. Then there's fucking Sagat.

woaE5.jpg


Tong Po is such an evil shit. Seriously. The dude rapes JCVD's woman and breaks JCVD's asshole brother in half. Toss in his charisma and he's one of the best final bosses ever.

Admittedly it's been years since I've watched Bloodsport, but I don't see how it can top Kickboxer.
 
I feel like I need to go see this because fellow WSU grad Dolph Lundgren is in it. Also thought the first one was entertaining in a terrible sort of way.
 
WinoMcCougarstein said:
I feel like I need to go see this because fellow WSU grad Dolph Lundgren is in it. Also thought the first one was entertaining in a terrible sort of way.
Click to expand...

Mild (very safe) spoiler about Dolph in the film:
He plays himself really. A PhD and winner of an MIT scholarship. He just happened to decide to go into the action business.
I was laughing every time they mentioned those facts about Dolph's character and had to explain it to my friends after the movie. Such a great inside joke.
 
PhoncipleBone said:
Mild (very safe) spoiler about Dolph in the film:
He plays himself really. A PhD and winner of an MIT scholarship. He just happened to decide to go into the action business.
I was laughing every time they mentioned those facts about Dolph's character and had to explain it to my friends after the movie. Such a great inside joke.
Click to expand...
Same here. :lol
 
PhoncipleBone said:
Mild (very safe) spoiler about Dolph in the film:
He plays himself really. A PhD and winner of an MIT scholarship. He just happened to decide to go into the action business.
I was laughing every time they mentioned those facts about Dolph's character and had to explain it to my friends after the movie. Such a great inside joke.
Click to expand...

I had to explain this to people at work as well. They couldn't believe he has a degree in Chemistry and turned down MIT. It's hilarious.

Edit: Not the jokes mentioned in the movie, just the facts. I haven't seen the movie yet. He was also in our marching band.
 
WinoMcCougarstein said:
I had to explain this to people at work as well. They couldn't believe he has a degree in Chemistry and turned down MIT. It's hilarious.

Edit: Not the jokes mentioned in the movie, just the facts. I haven't seen the movie yet. He was also in our marching band.
Click to expand...

All the more reason why Dolph is boss. He was my favorite part about the movie, and I would love to see more of him on the big screen. And it was obvious he was having a lot of fun.
 
Archpath1 said:
who should be evil expendables team? for part 3? assemble!
Click to expand...

Assuming every member of the Expendables would have a villain equivalent, I would go with:

Seagal vs Stallone
Snipes vs Statham
Chan vs Li
Kurt Russel vs Norris
The Rock vs Terry Crews

Not sure about the others.
 
Expendables 3 Villain Team

Big Boss
The Rock

Second in Command
Jackie Chan

The Rest
Wesley Snipes
Kurt Russell
Bolo Yeung
Lee Byung-hun
Donnie Yen

This team will cause casualties.

Terry Crews should die by the hands of the Brahma bull. Vin Diesel should be given to the good guys. And then he should die by the hands of The Rock too.

Jackie Chan vs. Jet Li
Donnie Yen vs. Jason Statham
Wesley Snipes vs. Dolph Lundgren
Wesley Snipes/Jackie Chan vs. Jet Li/Jason Statham (tag-team match)
Bolo Yeung vs. Vin Diesel
The Rock vs. Terry Crews (ends in Fatality)
The Rock vs. Sylvester Stallone
Bonus Match: The Rock vs. Arnold

There's your big fights for the movie.
 
I assume JCVD dies in this. If so I hope they bring him back as a twin for the next one.

Nobody confirm or deny my assumption please.
 
HOLY FUCK!

This was MILES better than the first one. It was EXACTLY what I wanted. A feel good action movie.
And there's alot of really good humour in it too.

Aside from the final fight being a big of a let down, it was seriously awesome!
 
I was pitching a tent the entire running time. Everything was a step above the first film. Dolph and Van Damme were really good.
 
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