The Expendables exploded onto the screen and for it's entire running time it makes absolutely no apologies. This is action movie Shangri-La and Sylvester Stallone, 35 years after Rocky, can still kick your ass.
This time, Stallone pairs with a bunch of action heroes past and present to save a South American country from a maniacal dictator and something far more evil... Eric Roberts. The plot is virtually inconsequential because let's be real, aren't we here for elaborate fights, explosions and macho mayhem? The Expendables delivers all of that and more. In between the copious amounts of action there is actual characterization and laughs.
Although Stallone has retrofitted his picture to fit into a more modern, over-the-top style, he never forgets what makes a movie work. This movie has multiple bodies of baddies being torn into two, but it also has some heart. Mickey Rourke gives a surprisingly eloquent and moving speech and Jason Statham a bad, but funny bout of poetry. Stallone's own personal hero, Edgar Allan Poe, isn't turning over in his grave... He's waiting to high-five these dudes in heaven.
The Expendables would fit nicely high up on my list of Action films of the last 10 years. Here are my other favorites:
Also of note:
Redbelt (2008)
Taken (2009)
Live Free Or Die Hard (2007)
Crank (2006)
Undisputed (2002)
Collateral (2004)
The Proposition (2005)
Casino Royale (2006)
Rocky Balboa (2006)
The Hunted (2003)
Exit Wounds (2001)
Battle Royale (2000)
Plus... The Fast & The Furious series (2001-2009)
...except for John Singleton's 2 Fast 2 Furious. That one was terrible.
A special nod to the sci-fi's & genre mash-ups:
Doomsday / Star Trek / GrindHouse / Pitch Black / Hollow Man / Minority Report
Fun Action Comedy send-ups:
Cop Out / Tropic Thunder / Hot Fuzz
Crackerjack action by way of horror movie:
George A. Romero's Land Of The Dead
And I'm looking forward to 2010's:
Machete / Red
The Roger Corman produced THE UNHOLY ROLLERS skated unto the scene on November 10th, 1972. Produced on the cheap to rival Warner Brothers' own roller derby movie, The Raquel Welch starring KANSAS CITY BOMBER, Unholy ended up becoming more of a success... and ultimately a much more satisfying experience.
Unholy's star, the devastatingly beautiful Claudia Jennings, turns in a dynamic and gritty portrayal of a woman trying to gain some respect in a sport which most dismiss or simply look at as a reason for eye candy. Claudia's trials and tribulations as Karen Walker are the central focus of the movie, and she really comes into her own with the role. She gets to kick a lot of ass, and even challenge our idea as an audience of what an attractive leading lady can be on the screen. She's not just a babe, she's a force to be reckoned with.
Sadly this Corman production (side note: This was Martin Scorsese's first feature film editing job) from American International Pictures hasn't seen the light of day on DVD. But there's hope it will. Roller Derby is still very much alive, and with recent films like Drew Barrymore's Whip It getting heavy rotation on Cable, hopefully someone will get their act together to make it happen. It's so worth the ride.
