Iffy for 15+
The Expendables are still very violent, but much improved.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that The Expendables 2 has even more legendary action stars -- and is quite a bit better -- than The Expendables, so expect boys of all ages to be clamoring to see it. The violence is strong and constant but slightly less nasty than in the first film. Overall the feel is cartoonish, although the characters are motivated by revenge, and there's lots of killing (and fighting, spurting blood, and dead bodies) with no consequences. Language isn't nearly as strong as in the last movie (supposedly due to co-star Chuck Norris' objections) but does include about a half-dozen uses of "s--t." There's some love talk and flirting and a discussion of cheating, but most of the sexual content is mild. A character with a history of chemical dependence takes a drink from a flask from time to time but never appears drunk; some of the main characters smoke cigars. On the plus side, there's a strong female character this time around, in addition to many other improvements.
- Families can talk about the movie's violence. How did it affect you? What impact did it have?
- Is this sequel more or less violent than its predecessor? What expectations do you think audiences/fans had after the first movie? What's the appeal of these action heroes, whose careers range over several decades?
- Is Maggie a female role model? Does she present an unrealistic body image?
The good stuff
-
Messages: The Expendables 2 is mostly based on/driven by revenge, which enables the band of heroes to kill any number of bad guys without feeling bad about it. At one point, they're asked to help rescue some captured civilians. They initially refuse -- a rescue would get in the way of their mission -- but they eventually do it.
-
Role models: A strong female character who's a wise and skilled fighter quickly becomes an equal among the men. Although the men are violent and driven by revenge, their hearts are generally in the right place.
What to watch for
-
Violence: The movie's violence is strong and graphic, but it's also cartoonish and without much weight or consequence. There's heavy shooting, spurting blood, and many dead bodies. There are also knives and stabbing, hitting with brass knuckles, and martial arts fighting. There's a helicopter crash and a very, very quick shot of a burning man. One major character dies. A character is beheaded by a whirling propeller, and a main character brings back a man's head in a bag. Kidnapping.
-
Sex: One of the main characters frequently speaks flirtatiously to his girlfriend on the phone. Viewers see them together in one scene, in which they kiss briefly. There's some discussion about her "cheating." The main female character flirts slightly with the lead male character. Additional flirting and love talk.
-
Language: Several uses of "s--t," plus "bastards," "damn," "hell," "ass," and "swear to God."
-
Consumerism: A large, old-fashioned Pepsi-Cola sign is highly visible in a few shots.
-
Drinking, drugs and smoking: Dolph Lundgren's character has a history of "chemical dependence." He's seen drinking from a flask on more than one occasion, but he never seems drunk and is more in control this time around. Characters occasionally drink beer in a bar or clink bottles while flying a plane. Some characters smoke cigars.
Fan Reviews provided by
4
Expendables 2 ......... 3 .............. 4 by Darkola
I'm going to start by basing this on the first movie, if you liked the first, then your going to like this one also, if ya hated it, then dont bother with this one, its really that easy. This brings back many of the characters from the first film plus a few extra, all of whom are starting to show their ages more and more. I myself will say that I really enjoyed this movie, it takes you back to older tv series, programs like the A-Team, where its kinda cheeseball, but at the same time, theres alot of action, just a tad of a story, and many one liners to keep you chuckling throughout. The filming of this also appears a little grainy also, I'm thinking they did that on purpose to give it more of the 80's tv look also. As I said, if your out for alot of action, cheeseball as it may be, with a mix of many of our favorite actors from the past, then go see this. I'd give this 2 1/2 stars out of 4 myself, I did enjoy it and look forward to part 3. Enjoy :)
5
End To End Action With Lots Of Humor. by Alon Patterson
All the heroes in one film, what more could an action junkie want? Maybe a good story, excellent visuals, realistic sound, lots of stunts and oh yes, ACTION. This is one of the finer adrenaline movies ever made. Even though it's pretty much an excuse to get all the guys together in one film, it doesn't disappoint the audience for a second. It's worth its ticket price. See it. You won't be disappointed.
5
Expendables 2 is Non-Stop Action by flixfan52
Expendables 2 is non-stop action from the opening to the end. It's great seeing Stallone, Arnold, Bruce Willis, Chuck Norris, Jason Statham..and the list goes on...even Jet Li...not to mention some pretty good martial arts scenes too...Will they be too old for Expendables 3?
5
Expendables 2 by cnj5599
Movie was great, Arnold, Willis and Stalone were saying each other's tag lines, the action was great, and the scene to introduce Booker was awesome. This was a great movie. Wish they could have done more with Norris and seen Norris do some Martial Arts, but his character was the best out of the whole movie.
4
Testoneronic Comedy...is that a word? by ParadoxAlone
Straight to the point, good, fun movie. Graphic at times, and quite silly at others, I enjoyed the awesome ensemble of action stars in this film. Great job guys. Thanks for a good time.
5
X-2 Back for War by bikerpappy
This is one of the best sequel movies to come out so far this year. No matter who your favorite action star is from the last 4 decades, you will find yours in this one. Van Dam played one of his best bad guy roles ever. And to see lone wolf was a real treat too. I give it 5 stars. I liked the use of humor towards each other too. A must see for any action fan!!!!
5
Great Movie by TEEBABY292003
Stallone is a Great Action movie actor and bringing out the other action guys man oh man this movie is a true must see.
4
"Never Mess with a Classic" by QuEinstein
One of my favorite lines from the film. And with this cast, E2 is DEFINITELY a classic. The one-liners are fun as are the jabs at each of the action stars previous rolls. (Arnold and Bruce's dialog in the final fight scene is definitely worth the price of admission.) And as sick as it sounds, it was nice to actually see blood when the bullets struck. Not something you see in today's films, which are just as if not more violent. Oh, and Jason S is poetry in motion in his fight scenes!
1
Don' go if you don' like a lot of ketchup by edw613
Heavy on blood and guts, lite on plot and rationality. Like, where does he find a gunny sack out of the blue for the villian's head. Is this necessary.
There were so many elements and tributes to old movies. Goldfinger, Where Eagkes Dare, every Tai Kwan Do movie, Schindler's List and many more. How about some new material.
How come they get upset about their partner dying, but not about the hundreds of villians they slaughter.
Theme from "Good, Bad and Ugly" was good, but why not play the whole thing not just the opening.
The burial scene was fake. There was no loose dirt around the rocks and no place to get rocks. Putting rocks on the ground does not a burial make.
Best Line - "Rest in pieces".
Worst line - "What is this, Rambo?" Too confusing.
Bottom line - I would see it again but don't go if you don' like a lot of ketchup sqirting out of people's chests. At least a bottle for each villian.