The Expendables 2
2012 · Directed by Simon West
Original language: English
- action
- adventure
- thriller
The story
Mr. Church reunites the Expendables for what should be an easy paycheck, but when one of their men is murdered on the job, their quest for revenge puts them deep in enemy territory and up against an unexpected threat.
What it’s like
Hard-edged, saturated action with a grimy, sun-bleached look: long wide shots of dusty roads, jungle greens, crumbling concrete and night skies lit by tracer fire, all shot in a clean digital sheen with bursts of orange explosion light. Camera moves are kinetic but mostly legible, with plenty of medium two-shots of men trading lines before the guns come out. The soundtrack is a loud, bass-heavy mix of gunfire, engine roar and pounding rock-era percussion, with quieter moments built on wry banter and low murmured jokes. Its vibe is brawny, nostalgic and unpretentious, a throwback to 1980s action with a self-aware swagger. Intensity is high: frequent, stylised gunfights, hand-to-hand brawls and explosions, with bloodshed kept fairly clean and cartoonish rather than gory, and a few deaths that carry a brief, sombre weight. Pacing is brisk and relentless, with short breathers between set pieces. Its emotional arc is a gruff group of aging soldiers reconnecting through loyalty and grief. Made for fans of ensemble macho action, buddy banter and crowd-pleasing, old-school mayhem, not for anyone wanting something gentle.
More films like The Expendables 2
Closest in mood, pacing and theme. Tell us why you loved The Expendables 2and we’ll explain which ones fit you.
