“The Expendables 3” boasts the most star-studded cast of any film this year – from Hollywood heavyweights to an actual welterweight, a sitcom star, a vampire heartthrob, the Governator, and an ex-con who, both in real life and in this backstory, served time for tax evasion. And at the center of it all, once again, is Sylvester Stallone, who has crafted a third successful movie franchise (following the combined 10 “Rocky” and “Rambo” films) with a little help from his friends, who also happen to be some of the most iconic action figures of all-time.
This third chapter in “The Expendables” series is funnier than the previous two, largely due to brilliant new cast members. Wesley Snipes cracks several great one-liners, as does Mr. “Air Force One” himself, Harrison Ford, whose character admits at the end of the film – “This is the most fun I’ve had in a long time” – and you can tell that Ford is talking about himself. Antonio Banderas, whose Galgo desperately wants to join the team and talks non-stop, provides most of the comic relief. But it’s the only character who doesn’t fire a gun or kill anyone who steals the show: Kelsey Grammer’s Bonaparte, who in a series of scenes, takes Stallone’s Barney on a search for some new, younger crew members, gets most of the best lines and delivers them in that classic, Grammer style.
Unfortunately, it’s when these rookie recruits take center-stage, that the energy level and excitement of “The Expendables 3” takes a major hit. Kellan Lutz (“Twilight”), MMA fighter Ronda Rousey (who’s got a lot of training to do in the acting department), boxer Victor Ortiz, and up-and-coming actor Glen Powell can’t bring nearly the same energy or command of the screen as the likes of Jason Statham, Randy Couture, Dolph Lungdren, Jet Li, Terry Crews and yes, Arnold. And who wants to see 20-somethings fighting bad guys in an “Expendables” movie?
This time around the plot centers on the hunt for just one man: ex-Expendables member Conrad Stonebanks, who has gone to the dark side. And believe it or not, Mel Gibson is excellent in the role. He actually creates one of the best movie villains we’ve seen in some time. This guy doesn’t just talk tough – he means business (no telephone necessary).
“The Expendables 3” is rated PG-13 for loads of action/violence and some obligatory language. The action scenes are as wild and outrageous as you’d expect, and new director Patrick Hughes is able to handle all the frantic staging and gunplay with ease. There are a few “wow” moments, but much of visual look is rather cheesy, because the majority of the budget probably went to paying all the stars. And it’s the performances and not the explosions and death toll, that make this threequel work as pure summer entertainment.
On The Official LCJ Report Card, “The Expendables 3”, like its two predecessors, gets a very solid B. It’ll be interesting to see if Stallone decides to continue onward or pull an Arnold by bidding “Hasta La Vista, baby” to the franchise.