[refsherne]

So went and watched the expendables expecting a good movie? Seriously?

It's not about the movie. It's about having all those action stars from old. Can you imagine how much it would have cost to get them all together during the late 80's? It's a feat in itself they got together in one film and made fun of themselves.

BTW regarding good parody films, "Space Balls" being one of them.

[MgpojuWy]

As for a really good action film, I'd recommend this.

I agree. When it comes to Asian over-acting, The Raid:Redemption has no competition. By the way, what is your favorite Jackie Chan movie?

[CaseyFan]

So went and watched the expendables expecting a good movie? Seriously?

It's not about the movie. It's about having all those action stars from old. Can you imagine how much it would have cost to get them all together during the late 80's? It's a feat in itself they got together in one film and made fun of themselves.

I think that everyone here is misunderstanding me and making assumptions. It seems that you're thinking that I was expecting an intelligent action film, I did not.

I went in for the film expecting nothing more than a cheesy 80's action film with a lot of explosions.

The movie failed at that, the humour rather than cheesy and characteristic of these films, sounds forced, the jokes were all extremely lame and the action wasn't that good either.

The movie struggles to fulfill this idea of the most incredible action film of all time, like some of you said, a parody of sorts.

It's just a bad film, and not a bad film in the sense of "so bad it's good" category. The filmmakers didn't even manage to do that.

[refsherne]

Aren't all jokes extremely lame in 80's action movies?

[9enackivegliva]

I think that everyone here is misunderstanding me and making assumptions. It seems that you're thinking that I was expecting an intelligent action film, I did not.

I went in for the film expecting nothing more than a cheesy 80's action film with a lot of explosions.

The movie failed at that, the humour rather than cheesy and characteristic of these films, sounds forced, the jokes were all extremely lame and the action wasn't that good either.

The movie struggles to fulfill this idea of the most incredible action film of all time, like some of you said, a parody of sorts.

It's just a bad film, and not a bad film in the sense of "so bad it's good" category. The filmmakers didn't even manage to do that.

Here's my theory:

I think you went in expecting a bad film, hoping you'd be wrong...

...but you were right. Which disappointed you even more, since you paid to watch it.

I understand your frustration but you can only blame yourself, really!


I myself have grown tired of eternally bashing Hollywood for producing **** movies. They sell, so let them sell **** to people who want to pay for ****.
What frustrates me more is when they screw up an existing, good, franchise (read: Prometheus was disappointing for Alien standards), or kill good, promising ideas (District 9 started so well... why oh why did they end it as a stupid shoot-em up?!).

[CaseyFan]

Here's my theory:

I think you went in expecting a bad film, hoping you'd be wrong...

...but you were right. Which disappointed you even more, since you paid to watch it.

I understand your frustration but you can only blame yourself, really!


I myself have grown tired of eternally bashing Hollywood for producing **** movies. They sell, so let them sell **** to people who want to pay for ****.
What frustrates me more is when they screw up an existing, good, franchise (read: Prometheus was disappointing for Alien standards), or kill good, promising ideas (District 9 started so well... why oh why did they end it as a stupid shoot-em up?!).

I don't go into any film expecting anything. I watch films for the sake of watching them, I love the medium and watch as many films as possible without prejudice. I watch for the sake of appreciating them, good or bad, so no, I don't ever regret watching or paying for any film.

And no, it's not an anti industry rant, why does every thread about a film here has to turn into a discussion about the industry and projected viewer markets ?

I am just saying that The Expendables 2 is a bad film, and no, not for the reasons you guys mentioned.

I do get it, I just see it as missed opportunity to make a truly great action film, especially after they managed to bunch up so many (all of them) action heroes from the last 30 years.

What a waste.

I agree. When it comes to Asian over-acting, The Raid:Redemption has no competition.

What overacting ? There is barely any acting in the film, let alone "over acting".

[9enackivegliva]

I don't go into any film expecting anything. I watch films for the sake of watching them, I love the medium and watch as many films as possible without prejudice. I watch for the sake of appreciating them, good or bad, so no, I don't ever regret watching or paying for any film.

And no, it's not an anti industry rant, why does every thread about a film here has to turn into a discussion about the industry and projected viewer markets ?

I am just saying that The Expendables 2 is a bad film, and no, not for the reasons you guys mentioned.

I do get it, I just see it as missed opportunity to make a truly great action film, especially after they managed to bunch up so many (all of them) action heroes from the last 30 years.

What a waste.

Now you're either being a hypocrite or extremely naive.
You don't go to see Expendables 2 expecting nothing and and ready to appreciate them "good or bad". This one was hardly going to be excellent. Your rant is superfluous.

[Heessduernbub]

Your rant is superfluous.

He's only happy if he's moaning about something, so it's making him happy at least.

[PefeFoesk]

I enjoyed it, I prefer the original tbh... I know what I'm getting gore and lame jokes with tons of testies thrown in for good luck. However, I'm a massive Sly fan and pretty much love most things he does...

Is expendables to a great film?, no chance, Arnie is awful with his one liners with Bruce Willis... Chuck was appallingly bad acting (always been the case)... however still enjoyed it though. is it a no brainer that you go in, watch people kick hell out of each other and get a fight with Sly V's Van Damme? Come on... that's got to be the entry price alone...

Oh yeah and Lundgren was awesomely funny to me for some reason... however where is Vin Diesel?!?!

[refsherne]

Oh yeah and Lundgren was awesomely funny to me for some reason...

Yep he was the surprise of the movie!

[CaseyFan]

Now you're either being a hypocrite or extremely naive.
You don't go to see Expendables 2 expecting nothing and and ready to appreciate them "good or bad". This one was hardly going to be excellent. Your rant is superfluous.

I go into a film expecting to be entertained in whichever way the film tries to entertain you. Period.

He's only happy if he's moaning about something, so it's making him happy at least.

Hardly, and I'm not moaning either. Is it possible to criticize a film without being criticized for criticizing the film in here ? I gave my reasons.

I enjoyed it, I prefer the original tbh... I know what I'm getting gore and lame jokes with tons of testies thrown in for good luck. However, I'm a massive Sly fan and pretty much love most things he does...

Is expendables to a great film?, no chance, Arnie is awful with his one liners with Bruce Willis... Chuck was appallingly bad acting (always been the case)... however still enjoyed it though. is it a no brainer that you go in, watch people kick hell out of each other and get a fight with Sly V's Van Damme? Come on... that's got to be the entry price alone...

Oh yeah and Lundgren was awesomely funny to me for some reason... however where is Vin Diesel?!?!

The genre that this film is in does not suddenly make it impervious to criticism.

My point is that it could have been the same exact kind of film it set out to be but be actually a good film. Which it wasn't.

Everyone seems to excuse the film just because it is the kind of no brainer film etc...

I am not criticising it for being a no-brainer fists/bullets/bombs film, I'm saying that it's garbage, it only aims to please people like you, people who just expect bullets and fists to fly around, and a few actors they recognize.

That's the exact definition of a bad film. A film which panders to a certain audience in a way that it forgets that not everyone has spent their childhoods watching cheesy 80's action films(which I have).

By all your statements, I can conclude that most of you are agreeing that by the standards of the small small world of cheesy action films, The Expendables 2 excels.

I've never heard someone unintentionally disparage a film so well. Bravo, guys.

[9enackivegliva]

Dude, you're lying to yourself and you believe that lie.

Do not expect to be entertained. You already know you won't! Just accept it!

[CaseyFan]

Dude, you're lying to yourself and you believe that lie.

Do not expect to be entertained. You already know you won't! Just accept it!

What do you expect before going into a film ?

I go in with the knowledge of the general theme of the film, little else.

[9enackivegliva]

What do you expect before going into a film ?

I go in with the knowledge of the general theme of the film, little else.

You know the cast, the type of movie, possibly the director and the general theme. In this case you even know the prequel.

Essentially you know what you're gonna get before you set a foot out of your house. The potential for a surprise is very limited with this type of movie.

Essentially you already know that the only chance you'll remotely be able to enjoy that movie is by totally shutting down your brain. From this point on we can start arguing whether the movie is still offering anything!

[PefeFoesk]

You love a little generalization don't you...

I'm saying that it's garbage, it only aims to please people like you, people who just expect bullets and fists to fly around, and a few actors they recognize. What the film aims for, I don't care about, did it entertain me yes. Why's that a problem? I can watch a so called intellectual film like anyone else on these threads... I knew what I was getting and I personally thought it was good. If you think it's rubbish, great... this thread has turned into pages of arguments because someone doesn't agree with someone else. Learn and move on.

Christ, the **** that comes out of Hollywood these days; Dark Knight Rises (first 2 were superb, this was a pile of rubbish), Saw (from 2 on), Hostel (from 2 on)... anything from M. Knight.S... Avengers, Captain America... could go on all day with the dross that's churned out... I was glad to watch a manly film lol/ At least it wasn't advertised as something special then it's a letdown... anyone who wanted to watch it would probably enjoy it...

[CaseyFan]

You know the cast, the type of movie, possibly the director and the general theme. In this case you even know the prequel.

Essentially you know what you're gonna get before you set a foot out of your house. The potential for a surprise is very limited with this type of movie.

Essentially you already know that the only chance you'll remotely be able to enjoy that movie is by totally shutting down your brain. From this point on we can start arguing whether the movie is still offering anything!

What does that have anything at all to do with the film ? Why are we arguing my outlook towards film rather than the film itself.

How does that have a leverage on whether the film is good or not ?

It does not instantly exempt it from being a good film. What I'm arguing is that it could have been the exact kind of movie and still be a good one.

[9enackivegliva]

What does that have anything at all to do with the film ? Why are we arguing my outlook towards film rather than the film itself.

How does that have a leverage on whether the film is good or not ?

It does not instantly exempt it from being a good film. What I'm arguing is that it could have been the exact kind of movie and still be a good one.

Ok, ok I get your point. You want to be able to assess the movie as it is without preconceptions. Hence you would walk in to watch The Expendables 2 just as you would walk in to watch The Godfather, Freddy Got Fingered or Catwoman.

The reality is, you cannot. Arguing the opposite is pointless.

[MgpojuWy]

What do you expect before going into a film ?

I go in with the knowledge of the general theme of the film, little else.

What sort of rube sees the sequel to a movie they hated to begin with? You made this exact rant about the first movie, yet still willingly donated your money to the movie studio. Well done!

[CaseyFan]

Ok, ok I get your point. You want to be able to assess the movie as it is without preconceptions. Hence you would walk in to watch The Expendables 2 just as you would walk in to watch The Godfather, Freddy Got Fingered or Catwoman.

The reality is, you cannot. Arguing the opposite is pointless.

I'm not saying that it's possible to be completely devoid of preconceptions, especially when it's a sequel.

The thing is though, I don't go in the film "wanting" it to suck. I go in hoping that maybe it will be good.

Either way, it has no effect on my summation of film, I watch most things when they're out on bluray but I don't pick and choose films. If it's a film I want to see, I get it and watch it willingly.

If it is one I don't know anything about it, I just check the synopsis quickly and watch it anyway.

I don't understand what this has to do with the film.

What sort of rube sees the sequel to a movie they hated to begin with? You made this exact rant about the first movie, yet still willingly donated your money to the movie studio. Well done!

Like I said, this is not a rant. I went to watch the film and posted about it, to elicit a discussion.

Would you rather have someone rant about it without even have watched it, like a lot of people do in here ?

Why not go watch the sequel ? It's by a different director and different screenwriter and just because it's a sequel to film that I didn't like, that doesn't mean it's going to be as bad as the first one. Although, I think that in this case it did.

Still, that doesn't matter and shouldn't matter.

What you are both suggesting is extremely cynical, it's fine to go watch film with a little scepticism but when you're that cynical, you end up not watching the film at all.

[j2Y6Ysmb]

I enjoyed it, I prefer the original tbh... I know what I'm getting gore and lame jokes with tons of testies thrown in for good luck. However, I'm a massive Sly fan and pretty much love most things he does...

Is expendables to a great film?, no chance, Arnie is awful with his one liners with Bruce Willis... Chuck was appallingly bad acting (always been the case)... however still enjoyed it though. is it a no brainer that you go in, watch people kick hell out of each other and get a fight with Sly V's Van Damme? Come on... that's got to be the entry price alone...

Oh yeah and Lundgren was awesomely funny to me for some reason... however where is Vin Diesel?!?!

I was hoping to see Van Damme v. Lungern like old times, but it's alright.