Expendables 4 (2025) English

The fourth installment in the Expendables franchise, titled Expend4bles, brings back the team of mercenaries for another action-packed mission. This time, they must prevent a global catastrophe when a rogue group attempts to detonate a bomb in Russian waters, threatening to spark World War III. Jason Statham takes center stage as Lee Christmas, with Megan Fox joining the team as Gina, a CIA operative and Christmas’s love interest. The cast includes returning members Dolph Lundgren and Randy Couture, alongside new faces like Tony Jaa, Iko Uwais, and Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson. Sylvester Stallone’s character, Barney Ross, takes a backseat, appearing briefly before passing the torch to the newer team.

Review

Strengths

1. Classic Action Elements: Fans of the franchise will enjoy the explosive set pieces, corny one-liners, and over-the-top fights, with Jason Statham and Tony Jaa delivering the standout moments.
2. Nostalgia Factor: The film taps into its retro action roots, catering to viewers who love traditional action blockbusters.

Weaknesses

1. Underwhelming Plot and Characters: Critics noted that the story feels predictable and lacks the charm of earlier installments. Many cast members are underutilized, with minimal character development, especially for new additions like Tony Jaa and 50 Cent.
2. Lackluster Direction: The film’s direction and CGI have been described as subpar, with some sequences appearing poorly staged.
3. Shift in Focus: With Stallone playing a smaller role, the dynamic that made earlier entries engaging is lost. Megan Fox’s performance and role as team leader were also criticized for lacking depth.

Conclusion

Expend4bles has been met with mixed to negative reviews, with many considering it the weakest entry in the franchise. While it delivers on action and nostalgia, it falls short in storytelling and innovation. Recommended mainly for fans of the series who enjoy mindless action fare.

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