Film

The Expendables II (2012)

Director: Simon West

Synopsis

Sylvester Stallone’s knowingly dumb action throwback ‘The Expendables’ (2010) divided audiences – some thought its old-fashioned blend of wisecracks and violence was a welcome change from slick modern blockbusters, while others thought the weak script and direction (by Stallone himself), coupled with a tendency towards overly gruesome violence, let the film down. Well, here comes another chance to get it right, as Stallone hires ‘Con Air’ director Simon West for another unashamedly silly all-action, celeb-stuffed bullet festival. The plot is still under wraps – not that it really matters – but what we do know is that it’s being shot in Bulgaria, Mickey Rourke won’t be returning, but Jean-Claude Van Damme has stepped in to play the villain, a Frenchman called, with typical Stallone subtlety, Jean Vilain. Otherwise, the usual suspects – Jason Statham, Jet Li and Dolph Lundgren – are back, and expect bigger roles this time around for cameo players Bruce Willis and Arnold Schwarzenegger.