The Expendables franchise is sticking to its winning formula of he-men, minimal dialogue, and high body count, according to Leigh Paatsch. The fourth installment of the series, directed by Scott Waugh and featuring stars like Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Megan Fox, Dolph Lundgren, 50 Cent, and Tony Jaa, requires no new tricks from its aging cast of action heroes. Despite the fact that the title of the movie, Expend4bles, is nearly impossible to pronounce, it remains a popular franchise that taps into a nostalgic desire for the gory glory days of action cinema, when men were men, dialogue was optional, and body counts were high.
Without a doubt, Expend4bles is not going to tinker with its successful and wincing formula. The band of cheerful mercenaries led by their mumbly patriarch Barney Ross (played by Stallone) still adheres to the same principles. However, in terms of everyday dangerous tasks, the group’s crazy leader, Barney’s good friend Lee Christmas (played by Jason Statham), now takes charge. The team’s latest mission is to prevent a collection of nuclear detonators from falling into the hands of an enigmatic supervillain known as The Ocelot, who intends to create mushroom clouds that could potentially lead to World War III. Naturally, only the Expendables can prevent this from happening. You’ll recognise most of the cast members, whether from prior instalments or their accomplishments in other areas. The film maintains a middling standard for the most part, with few standout moments, except for a Die Hard-esque rescue sequence aboard a ship. However, Jason Statham’s performance is consistently excellent, not just as a leading man but also as a lightning rod sparking his co-stars into action when necessary. Expend4bles is currently available in cinemas. Meanwhile, Fair Play (MA15+) is now streaming on Netflix.
This movie tells a captivating story of how modern relationships can still be affected by workplace traditions. The main plot revolves around Luke and Emily, who are deeply in love and decide to get engaged. However, they are unable to share the news at work due to the potential impact on their careers. Luke and Emily both work together on Wall Street’s highly successful hedge fund, and Luke is in line for a promotion that would make him Emily’s boss. But things take an unexpected turn when Emily is promoted instead. Scene by scene, the movie builds a complex storyline that delves into sexual, financial, and personal matters. When it all comes crashing down, the aftermath is painfully realistic. With excellent acting performances from Alden Ehrenreich, Phoebe Dynevor, and Eddie Marsan, this movie is a must-see.
