Movie Preview: The Expendables

Sometimes a movie is just what you expect it to be. With the Expendables the promise is action, explosions, and a few snappy lines. I see no reason for the film to fail to deliver on all 3.

This is an action movie first and foremost. It's a combination of the stars of the 80's and the latest action movies. Stallone, Lungdren, Rourke, Statham, Li, and Austin. What a combination of testosterone, with enough bullets and explosiuons to level a mid-sized city. Which is pretty much the plan of the film.

The plot is simple enough. A group of mostly older mecenaries is hired to take out a South American dictator. Along the way they get double crossed by former associates, and have to fight to survive. Cliche but it works.

If you were going to see this film with the hope of understanding the greater meaning film can bring to the inhumanity of war and combat, wrong film.



The fight scenes look good (and they should since Stone Cold Austin would up fracturing Slyvester Stallone's neck in their fight scene). Obviously the stars of this film all will get their moment to show off their particular talents and style. But we can also see that plenty of money was spent to ensure the battles would look huge and devastating. Because in an action film there is no such thing as overkill.

Plus there looks to be more than a few well timed and funny one-liners and situational jokes. Likely there will be other attempts that will fail, but as long as the writers didn't try to fill every scene with a hoped for catchy phrase (Like in Running Man with the Governator) it should work more often than not.

Also keep an eye out for the rest of the 80's stars. Which includes Arnold Schwarzenegger and Bruce Willis. Forest Whitaker had a role written for him, but had to drop out, initially to be replaced by 50 Cent (the thought sends a chill down my spine), and ultimately filled by Terry Crews who should fill in well. Jean-Claude Van Damme, Steven Seagal, and Kurt Russell all turned down roles in the film. Which is a shame as they really would have completed the mix of 80's to current action film stars.

This won't win Oscars, or likely any award other than from Spike TV or MTV. But this will almost certainly be one of the biggest money makers of the year. The real question is who out of the entire cast will have the best fight scene? My money goes on Jason Statham. Best one liner will almost definitely go to Stallone - it is his movie after all.


**Spoiler Alert**
Not everyone on the team will survive (Li and Crews are the likely victims). But there is already talk that those who do, will be in a sequel. Seagal and Russell might make it yet.

The latest Iron Man 2 movie trailer

Well it seems that I may be wrong on several aspects of the new Iron Man 2 movie due out in the summer of 2010. According to the latest movie trailer my thoughts about Whiplash are mostly incorrect.



Still my theory about the Black Widow seems to be on firm footing. Also my thoughts about War Machine seem to still be very plausible if not dead on the mark.

One of the best things about this new film seems to be what I have been hoping since the original film. That the War Machine character would be as kick ass as in the comic books all of this is based on. Between the first trailer and this one I imagine that War Machine will be stealing the limelight from Stark.

Given all of that, I still find the Whiplash character the weak link of the film (with no offense to Mickey Rourke - I mean the plot). This guy is so smart that he can make his own design of the "unique" energy coil Stark uses to keep himself alive? A technology that was beyond all of the scientists at Stark Internantional combined in the first film, and now this guy can make his own version in a relative garage?

That aside, it looks like this film might be worthwhile. It might just match all the hype and expectations. Which would be a great change of pace for movies these days. Now if they could just get something in there about Titanium Man.

Iron Man 2 - Whiplash

Well the first photo of the new villian in the 2010 sequel to Iron Man has been released. The villian is called Whiplash, and he is played by Mickey Rourke.



Looking at the photo I was instantly drawn to one thought. I hope there will be lots of CGI to fill the space in this photo.

To say that I am unimpressed is to understate my feelings. My expectations were quite high as the first Iron Man was a resounding success. The acting and CGI meshed incredibly well. The writing was actually creative. And it was mostly loyal to its comic book source.

Thus I had expected Rourke to look imposing and powerful. Instead ths photo makes me think of a bad Mad Max refugee. Or a minor background character from Kevin Costner's mega-flop Waterworld.

There has to be more to Whiplash than this. This photo has got to be an unfinished image, meant to generate buzz and fuel comic book fans, as well as those of the first movie, ire to create a stir that only the finished graphics will satisfy.

I expect a lot from Iron Man 2. The success of the first movie necessitiates at least a similar level of quality. But this photo of Whiplash does not seem to convey that thought. Hopefully future photos, and the eventual trailers will do justice to fan expectations.

The Expendables: Cast growing with action movie icons

In a bit of a quick update there is the news that the 2010 film, The Expendables, has increased the large and famous cast. The latest addition to the film will include yet another major icon of the 1980’s action movies.

Yes the Guvernator himself will be taking a role in Sylvester Stallone’s latest film. But this will not be a major part, just a cameo. And he will be playing a role that will involve little acting – he will play the Governor of California. How embarrassing might it be if his role is done poorly?

Still the Expendables movie is continuing to look like a must see film. The cast of Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren (an old nemesis of Stallone and Schwarzenegger) , Mickey Rourke, and Forest Whitaker is compelling. The addition of the Governator just adds a bit of flair.

By the way, here are some of the match-ups from the past with this cast.

Stallone has been in films with:
Mickey Rourke – Get Carter (remake)
Dolph Lundgren – Rocky 4

Jason Statham has been in films with:
Jet Li – War and The One
Mickey Rourke – 13 (filming now - remake)

Mickey Rourke has been in films with:
Eric Roberts – Pope of Greenwich Village

Forest Whitaker has been in films with:
Ben Kingsley – Species

And oddly enough, Christopher Walken (who is not in the film) has been in movies with:
Mickey Rourke – Dominoe, Man on Fire
Arnold Schwarzenegger - The Rundown (the Governator had an uncredited role, did you notice?)
Sylvester Stallone – Antz
Eric Roberts – Prophesy 2
Dolph Lundgren – A View To A Kill

Just thought I’d add that.

Iron Man 2: update

OK, while I am still highly upset over the Oscar Grant murder the fact is that there are other things I can write about. Perhaps I can let my blood pressure come down for a bit. But have no doubt that I will still be following this case.

But while I was away some news came out on a movie I am looking forward to. Iron Man 2.

We already know that Terrence Howard has been replace in the sequel, which is a shame as I thought he would make a wonderful War Machine, and he is an accomplished actor. He is to be replace by Don Cheadle. So in the least it can be said that the role has not gone to a slouch or less talented actor.

But the latest news is on the villain front. No matter how wonderful a comic book character is, no matter how good or powerful the hero, they are nothing without a proper villain. In the first movie the real villain was the best source of all, Tony Stark himself. Obidia Stane was just a second-tier villain that we could watch get pummeled (or do the pummeling).

In this next movie I expect to see more of Tony Stark's issues with his womanizing and drinking. This character is truly realistic and flawed like few others. He has problems as big as, and more dangerous than, any of the enemies he faces. Robert Downey Jr understands that kind of life and thus he should continue to be perfect in this role.

Still this film is action based, so the internal conflict has to be externalized. And who better to visualize pain and suffering than Mickey Rourke. He is to play Whiplash, an old enemy in the comic books. This villain uses technology enhanced coils as whips that can break steel girders. It's not the best villain for Iron Man, but since the Titanium Man theme was sort of hit upon in the first film I understand why they don't want to go back to that right away. But this give Rourke a chance to get physical with Downey, via their characters. It will be a real mano a mano type of fight.

Backing up Whiplash, and no doubt supplying his equipment, will be Sam Rockwell as Justin Hammer. Hammer is another multi-billionaire that competes with Stark, and happens to hate him for being smarter. That envy, and slightly smaller checkbook is the fuel of various schemes by Hammer to embezzell, steal, kill, embarrass, and otherwise harm the reputation and life of Tony Start and Iron Man.

Rockwell is an interesting actor. He looks rather snake-oil ish. I see him and think of a black hat. And many of his roles reflect that. One of his better performances was his con artist in Matchstick Men opposite Nicolas Cage. But in this film Rockwell will be up front, and a crucial lynchpin for the credibility of Whiplash - I believe. I'm not sure if he can pull off such a role. Especially when confronted with the caliber of acting that Downey and Rourke bring.

I still think the film will do well in theaters. I'm a little less confident now that the acting in the second film will be as good. There is no question that the CGI and visuals will be extraordinary.

Lest I hear otherwise this still will be a great film for 2010. And it will be a busy year for Rourke who is also in The Expendables that year.

The Expendables - 2010 movie

Now here is a concept that I am looking forward to seeing trailers for. A movie with action as its complete drive. Plot be damned, this will be fast-paced and sure to provide a pounding.

The Expendables is a film featuring Sylvester Stallone, Mickey Rourke, and Dolph Lungdren. With just that part of the cast you might think this is a return to the action movies of the 1980's. Which is not an entirely bad thing. But hold on.

Add to this group of oldies but goodies Jet Li and Jason Statham. And for a bit of dramatic flair there is also Ben Kingsley and Forest Whitaker. Now that is a cast of standing. You can stage a film about almost anything with this group of actors.

This film will focus on mercenaries that are hired to take down a South American dictator (might he have a last name sounding like Chavez?). It doesn't need to get much deeper than that.

Likely good guys are Statham, Li, and Stallone. Probable bad guys are Rourke, Lungdren, and Kingsley.

While I don't expect this to be an Oscar winner, I do expect massive amounts of explosions and kicking ass. There will be big guns a plenty. So if you enjoy art house films this will not be for you most likely.

One thing I would really enjoy in the film would be a fight scene between Li and Statham. I am sure the film has to have that, if only for a few minutes. That would be a great action sequence. That will make the film for sure.

There is no video yet, but be confident that once there is I will be getting it out to you all. Expect this in 2010.