Expendables 2 (Movie Review)

    

     Expendables 2 was released in theaters in the United States in August 17, 2012.  Just like the first expendables it brings an all star cast of 80's action film stars (plus some other action stars in their own right)  Sylvester Stallone, Dolph Lundgren, Randy Couture, Terry Crews, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Chuck Norris, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Liam Hemsworth and Bruce Willis.  As you can see it has a great cast.
     One of the problems usually seen in movies with a big cast is too much is happening with the actors, or not enough, and the movie just tends not to be good.  The story is slow, too many people to not be able to connect with any of them, etc.
     We saw in the first Expendables movie that this is not just about one actor, and it doesn't show like one actor tries to out do the others in the movie, and offers plenty of introduction to the characters, and gives a purpose in redemption of Stallone's character (Barney Ross) in the movie with going to save a woman who is being held by the enemy.
 
     The second one starts out straight into action, with the team dispatched to Nepal to rescue a Chinese businessman.  They also rescue a captured mercenary (Arnold Schwarzenegger).  A great action sequence showing what the men are capable of (especially Liam Hemsworth characer Billy the Kid as the sniper)  After the mission they are on the helicopter, Jet Li drops with a parachute with the chinese businessman saying "Maybe I will return, maybe not"  (He doesn't, not for this movie anyway)
      Afterwards, while the team is celebrating Barney Ross goes off on his own to collect his thoughts, and runs into Willis's character Church, who informs him that because of what happened in the first movie he owes him, and needs a mission done to retrieve an item from a crashed airplane shot down in Alibania.  And they are also getting a teammate Maggie Chan (Yu Nan).  During the mission they retrieve the mission they retrieve the item, but this is when they are introduced to Jean-Claude Van Damme and his band of mercenaries who want the object.  They are holding Billy hostage, and the team is forced to give the item over without causing bloodshed.
     From there it becomes about getting the item back, because it is proven that is has a location for an abandoned mine with five tons of refined plutonium.  So, with personal reasons and retaining the item the team is set on taking Van Damme (Jean Vilan) down.

My Thoughts
     There is a lot more action within this time around, since there is no need to introduce the characters there is a lot less down time.  There is still some, like hanging out after the first mission, and relaxing in between missions, that can cause for some humor (which is pretty good0.  But the action and story has a better feeling this time around.  In the first Expendables to me it felt like Rambo did, with him going to save a woman for redemption, just had a better team in the Expendables.  So it was nice to see it revolve more with the team this time around.
     This movie shows the introduction of Van Damme as the bad guy (and he does a damn good job and proves to be ruthless), and Chuck Norris (who the team meats along the way).  Along with the return of Arnold and Bruce Willis for this one.
     While Arnold does his one liners "I'm back" of course, the movie actually pokes fun at the actors one liners and catch phrases back in the 80's.  And yes, Chuck Norris even does a Chuck Norris fact in the movie, which was hilarious.

     It was great to see him back on the big screen after a few years, and he still looks good and kicks some serious ass in it.  As does everybody else.

The Ending
     Don't worry, I'm trying to be as spoiler free as I can, but the last battle has every one in one great shootout.  Showing why all of these actors were and are complete bad asses.  And the fight between Van Damme and Stallone was like a dream come true. 

The movie was a great, better than the original, and it makes me look forward to another Expendables (don't worry, there will be another one).  I'd love to see who may make an appearance in that one.

Final Score:  8/10 (Bad ass, and I will buy it on blu ray)