Expendables 4 sets unwanted record for the series
Expendables 4 has set an unwanted record for the franchise, becoming the lowest-rated in the series so far on Rotten Tomatoes.
The film, officially titled Expend4bles, which hits cinemas today (September 22), has only managed to land a 15% rating with critics on the site.
That's less the half the rating of its predecessor Expendables 3, which had a 31% rating. The first and second instalments were rated 41% and 67%, respectively.
Related: Jason Statham reveals brutal fight scene in Expendables 4 set video
Expendables 4 stars franchise cast members Jason Statham, Sylvester Stallone, Dolph Lundgren, and Randy Couture, with Megan Fox and rapper 50 Cent joining the team.
The plot sees Stallone's Barney Ross return to lead his team on another deadly mission to save the world.
This time, the team are taking down mercenary Suarto Rahmat (played by The Raid's Iko Uwais), who is after some nuclear warheads on behalf of Ocelot, a mysterious villain who Barney failed to take down 25 years ago.
Here are what some of the critics have been saying:
Digital Spy
"Expend4bles has a turgid first hour, before the strong final act remembers that the series works best when it's having fun – and when Jason Statham is being as Cockney as possible."
The AV Club
"It’s a maddening mix of squandered opportunities and baffling creative choices. Lackluster on practically every level, this ought to be renamed The Disposables as it’s a giant waste of everyone’s time and talent."
Empire
"A slight improvement on Expendables 3, Expend4bles still works better as character posters than a movie you have to actually sit through. To paraphrase the tag line, old blood meets new blood equals tired blood.
Independent
"Expend4bles has a vague understanding of what you like, but no resolve to make sure you have fun."
Evening Standard
"Instalment number four of the elite mercenaries series manages to not be entirely extraneous to our entertainment needs, disarming as often with easy charm, as with a high-kick to the hyoid."
Related: Sylvester Stallone to star in new Netflix documentary
If we do get a fifth instalment in the franchise, it will be without Stallone.
Speaking in on-set video in 2021, after filming on the movie wrapped, Stallone said: "It's time to be moving on. This will be my last day, so I'm enjoying it but it's always bittersweet, you know, [when it's] something you've been so attached to. I guess it's been about 12 years.
"I'm ready to pass the baton on to Jason [Statham] and his capable hands."
Expend4bles is out now in cinemas.
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