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The Expendables 2
2012 103 min United States of America, Bulgaria, Germany R 16+
★6.6
Action, Adventure, Thriller
Director: Simon West
Trailers
Description
Mr. Church reunites the Expendables for what should be an easy paycheck, but when one of their men is murdered on the job, their quest for revenge puts them deep in enemy territory and up against an unexpected threat.
Budget:
$100M
US Gross:
$85.03M
Worldwide:
$314.98M
Starring
Sylvester Stallone
Actor
Liam Hemsworth
Actor
Randy Couture
Actor
Awards
4 wins & 5 nominations total
Key opinion
The Expendables 2 is widely regarded as a successful, high-octane tribute to 80s and 90s action cinema that effectively capitalizes on its star-studded ensemble cast. While critics and viewers acknowledge the screenplay is intentionally simplistic and formulaic, most agree that the film succeeds as a nostalgic, entertaining, and well-executed spectacle.
| Acting | The expansive ensemble cast successfully leverages the star power of action icons like Stallone, Schwarzenegger, Willis, and Van Damme to create a sense of 'childhood dream' fulfillment. | |
| Direction | Simon West's direction elevates the film through polished, high-budget, and kinetic action sequences that effectively capture the 'old-school' genre spirit. | |
| Cinematography | The cinematography and technical execution provide a stylized, gritty visual aesthetic that complements the intense, explosion-heavy set pieces. | |
| Screenplay | The screenplay is a point of contention: supporters appreciate the intentional, throwback simplicity, while detractors dismiss it as shallow, illogical, and reliant on weak dialogue. | |
| Humor | The humor—specifically the self-referential cameos and callbacks—is polarizing; some viewers find the 'macho' banter and inside jokes charmingly nostalgic, while others characterize them as cringey or unfunny. |