Iffy for 15+
Legendary action cast teams up for a violent, messy muddle.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that The Expendables will definitely appeal to teens (and, frankly, boys of all ages) thanks to a cast filled with living action legends like Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li,Arnold Schwarzenegger and Bruce Willis. But since it's filled with over-the-top action violence -- including shootings, stabbings, severed limbs, spurting blood, explosions, and burning bodies -- it's not age-appropriate for younger viewers. There's also some violence against women, and language is strong (including both "f--k" and "s--t"), though not constant. Drugs are a key part of a subplot, and one character has a drug problem, even though viewers never see any drugs consumed. Other characters smoke cigars, pipes, and cigarettes. It has perhaps the most impressive action cast ever assembled for a movie, including some living legends, and so it will be irresistible to boys of all ages.
- Families can talk about the film's violence. How did it affect you? What impact did it have?
- What did Barney learn over the course of the movie? Did any of the other Expendables share his journey? Are they heroes? Why or why not?
- Many of the characters in the film smoke. How does this make them look? Do they seem cool? Do you think that was the intent?
- The movie features some violence against women. What is the movie's attitude toward this kind of violence?
The good stuff
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Messages: One of the movie's major recurring themes is that these "heroes" are mercenaries; they work for money rather than for any personal beliefs. Some do express regrets for actions not taken in their pasts.
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Role models: The main characters are all mercenearies, and Barney is headed down a pretty heartless path -- but then he meets a girl who reaffirms hisability to believe in something. Sandra tries to stand up for what's right, and her actions are enough to inspire Barney. Unfortunately, she also manages to get kidnapped and must be rescued by the men, so she's not as strong as she could have been.
What to watch for
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Violence: The characters shoot, stab, impale, pummel, pound, and blow up just about everything and everyone in sight. Some of them prefer guns -- including some of the biggest, loudest weapons you've ever seen -- while others are knife experts. Many minor characters die without much consequence. Viewers see blood spurts, explosions, car chases, and burning bodies. There are severed limbs and heads and exploding torsos. A woman has bruises on her face from an abusive boyfriend, and another woman is kidnapped and tortured (with water).
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Sex: No kissing or sex, but one character sulks over finding another man in his girlfriend's house. Tool brings home an attractive woman and pats her on the bottom. Some brief talk about sex and relationships. Barney becomes obsessed with a girl nearly four decades younger than heis, but the movie doesn't necessarily define this as a romanticobsession (it could be something like mutual respect).
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Language: A few uses of "f--k" and several of "s--t." Other words include "suck d--ks," "ass," "goddamn," "balls," "hell," "a--hole," and "damn."
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Consumerism: Not an issue
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: The main villain is essentially a drug dealer; he controls the cocaine industry on a small island, and there are stacks of cocaine bags in one scene. One of the good guys is said to have a drug problem, though viewers never see him actually taking drugs. Two characters smoke cigars, and one character smokes a fancy pipe. Some of the villains smoke cigarettes. The main characters are seen clinking beers while flying a plane. A character brings champagne to a girl's house, but it's never opened. Another character orders a martini with olives that viewers never see.
Fan Reviews provided by
5
good movie don't listen to critics by Sogetsu
this movie was good 10/10. don't listen to critics . there was alot of action, explosion, gore, action sequences, comedy and it had some romance n good story. must watch for action fans. you won't be disappointed. only if the movie was long 2hours 30minutes coudl've explain more back story to the other characters. but nonetheless very good movie don't listen to critics they don't know crap. only movie they care about is twilight, n movies with people that can't act with same story over n over.
5
THE EXPENDABLES OH WHAT A MOVIE! You have to Go and See IT!!!! 10 STARS by Kathy Cullen
This is not your everyday action movie, the Expendables gets you to want to jump into the movie itself, if your not careful your be standing up and cheering. There were so many oohs and Aahs, yeahs with arms stretched out cheering yelling & whooping I forgot to be quite myself. The storyline is very good and the plot stayed on topic, not like some of these over-rated movies I have gone to in the past. The actors were very well put together. As for the over-all props to the crew that helped make it all work together with the explosions and action scenes give the movie goer the feeling of being there. I have a friend that went (at which I did not know he was there at the same time), he sells guns in a sporting goods store, anyways he caught himself counting shells and actually told me he lost count. This guy liked this movie too. I just wish some of the scenes were in 3D. Oh What a Movie! This is a movie I will see again before it leaves the theaters. This movie let me feel it! !
4
Expendables 2 coming soon?????? by Cacowboy
Good action movie, Rambo reborn. If you like action unrealistic movie, then go see this. And most likely expect a Expendables 2.
The one thing that I felt was a fraud in the Trailers of course is seeing Arnold Schwarzenegger, so beware it was just a cameo, what was it 1 min? That increased revenue by 10% or more, just by showing him in the trailer. Maybe when he's out of office this year, he'll be in the next Expendables 2 "The return of the Terminator". Story line California is invaded by illegals and they have to defend the border.
5
I'm happy...... by lovestalentmoviefan
....as The Expendables did exactly what Stallone wanted it to do.Gave us in our age-range the perfect kind of a tongue in cheek,last hurrah celebration of the insane action movies of the 80s. Lots of the old violent shootouts,bombs and punches. No sex/nudity.Really alot of fun. I say Must Go for the fact that I think seeing it on the big screen will relay it better for what it is--a nostalgic, even humorous look at the old action movies.A pretty good one too!
5
The Best by jazzybycharlie
Pure Action! Good Story! Don't expect an academy award winning movie here, just expect the best of butt kicking, knife wielding, macho-show-off, funny stuff and blow the house down action! From start to finish, I never winked and the action continued. never mind those folks that is judging this movie to some dramatic put me to sleep joint, this was not their movie anyway! Pure funny action and a touchy moment or two. I hate that Van Damn and Seagal declined the roles. This could be the comeback for some real movie heros. I loved it, my two sons loved it and their dates loved it more!!
4
Super Cheesy FUN! by pitchersgal
The movie lived up to everything it advertised. Lots of guns, explosions & fights. Stallon was well aware that none of his cast were known for their thespian skills (except for maybe Mickey Rourk,) so I think the script was wrote beautifully to kind of bring the 80's high-octane action flicks back to its glory. All in all, I loved it.
1
Don't Be Fooled!! by Celluliodhero
Don't be fooled by the fun trailer, or by the idiots that gave this waste of film a good review.
Don't go to the theatre hoping to re-live your glory years when these action stars ruled the screen.Resist the urge that makes you want to see this movie because "Putting all of these ****** actors in one film is a cool idea".This is without a doubt the worst movie of the summer,nay, the year. Stallone, is the worst writter, director, actor of 3 generations. And don't give me the"What about Rocky" B.S. Because even a broken clock is right once. With the exception of Rourke,Willis,&Statham, the acting sucks! The 3 great actors I mentioned seem hard pressed to make Stallone's 4th grade dialogue seem natural. The sets are cheesy, the action choppy and sped up.The cool thing about this film is after you see it you can tell your buddies Sylvester Stallone mugged you. I hope Lundgren can get his McDonalds job back after this. Lundgren what a joke, ok Stallone is the 2nd worst actor.
4
An 80's Action Movie Updated For the 21st Century by psmulready
Okay, I grant you that movies like Cobra or The Running Man back in the day had thin plots, two dimensional characters and generally bad acting. But they were very good at showing you who the bad guy was, and who the hero was, right from the start, and you always knew by the end of the movie, the bad guy's dead body was going to make a very nice thud as it hit the floor. The Expendables revives that genre. If you go see this movie, expect exhausting fight scenes, impossible car chases, and lots of big explosions. But into the bargain, you get some pretty interesting character chemistry. And a pretty amusing cameo from Arnold Swartzenegger, that closes with Stallone's perfect line: "he just wants to be president." A fun, late summer bit of escapism.
2
Action Dud by too_legit
With the amount of talent this movie cast has, I must say I was quite disappointed. There were very good action scenes... BUT there were soooooo much slow/useless drama going on. I was definitely distracted throughout the whole movie.
4
The expendables by suziecutie
Good to see Sly and the older guys. I wanted a little more kung fu, less shoot em up. But very action packed.