First reactions land for Expendables 4 ahead of cinema release
Expendables 4, officially titled Expend4bles, shoots into cinemas this Friday (September 22) and the first reactions have finally arrived for the action sequel.
The new movie brings back Sylvester Stallone's Barney Ross as he leads his team on another deadly mission to save the world. This time, a terrorist (The Raid's Iko Uwais) is after some detonators for a nuclear missile, and only the Expendables can stop him.
Expendables fans will be hoping that the new movie is a step up from the third movie, widely considered the worst of the trilogy.
So does Expend4bles mark a successful return for Barney and co?
"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," wrote Digital Spy's movies editor Ian Sandwell.
CinemaBlend's Eric Eisenberg said on Twitter/X: "Ever wonder what the rock bottom nadir of a franchise looks like? Prepare to be stunned by the awfulness of Expend4bles. It has the aesthetics of a 1995 Direct-To-Video movie, and simply describing story/plot developments sounds like mockery. An embarrassment for all involved."
Conversely, Rama's Screen added: "EXPEND4BLES was crazy nonsensical fun! It packed a punch! Back to good ol' rock 'em sock 'em gritty hard-R explosive action that was wildly entertaining."
Here's what more critics have been saying:
Well, I was very disappointed by Expend4bles. It makes an absolutely boneheaded decision right at the beginning of the movie and keeps going with a weak script. Tony Jaa and Jason Statham do the heavy lifting to make this one barely watchable. Needed more firepower. #Expend4bles pic.twitter.com/ojg6D3L7Ia
— Hunter Bolding (@HunterBVideo) September 20, 2023
Sadly #Expend4bles is a serviceable but instantly forgettable sequel that dilutes the formula that brought us to the dance.
Mediocre CGI, inert performances & a wafer thin plot only derail the enjoyable moments of action sprinkled throughout. Such a missed opportunity. pic.twitter.com/sMfsSBSsRY— Phil Roberts (@philthecool) September 19, 2023
#Expend4bles revels in the return of its R-rating, but its obvious twists and dumb (not in a fun way) plot, combined with the shift in focus on Jason Statham, makes this a borderline dull film with not nearly enough fun to be had to forgive any of its flaws. pic.twitter.com/LkzCEuvX2b
— Adriano Not TIFF Caporusso (@AdriCaporusso) September 20, 2023
#Expend4bles is the kind of movie I would’ve gone nuts for as a teenager. As is, it’s got enough gratuitously gory kills and one-liners to get the job done. Nothing more, nothing less. It simply is what it is. Review coming Thursday to @MyCosmicCircus
— James Preston Poole (@JamesPPoole) September 20, 2023
Holy Sh*t! If you’ve ever played COD: Black Ops, you will LOVE #Expendables4! The whole cast is incredible, Stallone and Stathom’s relationship is awesome and the Co. remind you of The Suicide Squad in some way. Perfect mix of combat, gory and a dash of humor. AMAZING. pic.twitter.com/k4RDCNWdqS
— Jeremy Kazieva (@jkazieva16) September 20, 2023
Expend4bles could mark Stallone's final outing as Barney Ross, as he revealed in a set video that he was stepping away from the series.
"It's time to be moving on. This will be my last day, so I'm enjoying it but it's always bittersweet," he said.
"When something you've been so attached to, I guess it's been about 12 years, and I'm ready to pass the baton on to Jason [Statham] and his capable hands."
We're sure there's a way they can tempt Stallone back if the new movie is a success, though.
Expend4bles is released in cinemas on September 22.
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