The Expendables 4

release year: 2023
genre: action
viewing setting: home Bluray 3/15/24 and theater 9/29/23

synopsis: When a mission goes horribly wrong, the team is fractured and at a disadvantage but must still soldier along and try to get the mission accomplished.

impressions: That synopsis kind of mirrors the real-life reality: some of the big stars didn't return for various reasons, and those who are left (plus some new blood) have to try and keep things going. Overall, I don't know why so many people panned this movie - it wasn't bad at all. The action quotient was high, mostly gunfire or knives, and there were plenty of stars. I guess I'd add that some of the heroes weren't big names in the history of action cinema, so the team sometimes felt a bit diluted. But the plot kept rolling along and the violence level was sufficiently high; what more can anyone ask from a movie in this series?

acting: This one seems to be the shift for Jason Statham to become the face of the team and franchise. Stallone isn't around much. Dolph Lundgren and Randy Coutoure return in their now-familiar roles. Megan Fox and Curtis Jackson (aka 50 Cent) and Levy Tran and Jacob Scipio are the new members; Scipio is the most memorable, channeling Antonio Banderas from the third movie. Tony Jaa is a deadly knife-wielding ally. Iko Uwais is the ruthless main villain. Andy Garcia is a shady government person.

final word: The franchise is aging, but still serviceable.

back to the main review page