tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post8397840520467095729..comments2024-03-27T10:27:59.266-04:00Comments on John Kenneth Muir's Reflections on Cult Movies and Classic TV: CULT MOVIE REVIEW: The Expendables (2010)John Kenneth Muirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15629979615332893780noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-21103154270495300302010-12-11T20:23:14.662-05:002010-12-11T20:23:14.662-05:00I just went and saw this tonight. A few thoughts:
...I just went and saw this tonight. A few thoughts:<br /><br />I found it pretty inexplicable how Jason Statham's character knew that the new boyfriend would beat on the girl.<br /><br />The trailer for the film touted these actors getting together for the, "first and only time," so I'm not sure about a sequel. Of course, they could always change their minds.<br /><br />Although he has retired from acting I wonder if Chuck Norris was approached for a cameo? Wasn't there some competition <i>à la</i> <b><i>Missing in Action</i></b> vs. <b><i>Rambo</i></b> back in the 80's? Norris is, obviously, an Internet celebrity today but I would love seeing him in something again. And yes, I liked his films (especially MIA) before he became so popular again.<br /><br />I'm not sure if you've seen the new <i><b>A-Team</b></i> yet but I liked it much more than <i><b>The Expendables</b></i>.<br /><br />I hope all is well with you, John.<br /><br />--GraysonGraysonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-15970905729086804252010-12-10T19:38:06.339-05:002010-12-10T19:38:06.339-05:00I just love how the Expendables literally stormed ...I just love how the Expendables literally stormed a castle at the end. Just a nice ending point to the whole fantasy aspect.<br /><br />Also, the fastest movie I've ever watched. . .I thought this thing was over literally with the snap of my fingers. I wanted more. . .<br /><br />Great review, as always.Willhttp://secureimmaturity.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-21335758966412821762010-12-10T16:21:34.953-05:002010-12-10T16:21:34.953-05:00Hi J.D.
That's it, exactly! Yes! As boy'...Hi J.D.<br /><br />That's it, exactly! Yes! As boy's fantasy, EXPENDABLES is tremendous fun.<br /><br />As anything else, it's a little suspect.<br /><br />best,<br />JKMJohn Kenneth Muirhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15629979615332893780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-57495423095640316152010-12-10T16:12:24.258-05:002010-12-10T16:12:24.258-05:00JKM:
"Now, I'm not saying that's wha...JKM:<br /><br />"Now, I'm not saying that's what I wanted out of an action movie; I'm just saying that this isn't very realistic."<br /><br />Ah, and therein lies the rub. This film really isn't realistic at all - basically a boy's fantasy tale.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08164105442273577128noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-10790662433282456832010-12-10T13:57:04.523-05:002010-12-10T13:57:04.523-05:00Hi J.D.,
Thanks for the comment!
I think you are...Hi J.D.,<br /><br />Thanks for the comment!<br /><br />I think you are right about that idea; that Stallone was making a kind of "throwback" action movie to the era pre-Matrix, pre-Speed epoch, where women were more set decoration and less co-hero in the action. <br /><br />He certainly succeeded on that front! :)<br /><br />I also think that Stallone wanted to make a statement about how lonely these guys get -- doing these impossible missions alone -- but the message is muddled because these guys don't cry out for companionship and relationships with a woman; they just sort of stand back and look at the women as abstract, alien creatures to rescue and protect, but not to be honest or emotional with; or even spend time with, for that matter.<br /><br />Now, I'm not saying that's what I wanted out of an action movie; I'm just saying that this isn't very realistic. <br /><br />In a relationship, you give and you get, and the problem with men like Christmas (Statham) is that they clearly don't give, except on their own terms...and then the movie acts like it's the girlfriend's fault because she expected...you know, someone who would actually relate to her like a human being and partner. <br /><br />How dare she! She should have just dealt with her loneliness because....wait for it...he was "worth it!" :)<br /><br />That still makes me laugh.<br /><br />But hey, Stallone clearly made the movie he wanted to, and more power to him for it. The movie is entertaining as all hell.<br /><br />But it's still kind of funny in the caveman portrayal of women. My wife is not at all a feminist in stripe, but she snorted and sighed a lot through this movie because it is so darned, so proudly, backwards...<br /><br />best,<br />JKMJohn Kenneth Muirhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15629979615332893780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-68795173198387449442010-12-10T13:28:43.055-05:002010-12-10T13:28:43.055-05:00Nice review! Don't you think that the whole me...Nice review! Don't you think that the whole men-with-men/bromance angle is a reaction to many action films post-'90s, like SPEED, THE MATRIX, etc. which had the male action stars played by less than pumped up actors and with strong female action stars sometimes stealing their thunder? I think that Stallone's film is definitely intended to harken back to the one-man (or in this case a small team) as an army type of action film.<br /><br />I also got the feeling that Stallone was trying to say that these guys, and the kind of work they do, that keeps them on the road, that is often top secret and very dangerous, keeps these guys single. How are they supposed to lead an ordinary kind of life when they're doing all this crazy stuff?<br /><br />That was the impression I got anyway but you're right in pointing out the very one-dimensional view of women in this film.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08164105442273577128noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-64463725260554514042010-12-10T12:34:49.961-05:002010-12-10T12:34:49.961-05:00Hi Amanda,
I totally agree. I know some folks wh...Hi Amanda,<br /><br />I totally agree. I know some folks who were actually offended by the movie, but there's really nothing to get offended by if you just take it in stride (and the spirit it was intended). It's about the fantasy of it, and I love that message about being vital at any age. Well said.<br /><br />Best,<br />JKMJohn Kenneth Muirhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15629979615332893780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-56149491626428193502010-12-10T12:28:08.664-05:002010-12-10T12:28:08.664-05:00I so loved this movie. I agree, it's totally a...I so loved this movie. I agree, it's totally about the fantasy of it. Plus, a lot of those Expendables would be considered over-the-hill in most of todays action fare, so I took the underlying message as stating that you can be vital at any age.Amanda By Nighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01910620012465381103noreply@blogger.com