The Expendables are directed and written by Sylvester Stallone and Dave Callaham. The idea of making a gripping plot with a lot of humor and self-irony of the formidable main characters was crowned with success. The material about the film's actors was prepared by the Okko online cinema.
The action-packed American thriller "The Expendables" became known in the process of creation due to the stellar cast and crew. Critics call this work "an old school classic": such action films were recorded on videotapes and were popular 30 years ago.
The main characters of the series.
The plot of the film "The Expendables"
The reason for the worldwide recognition of the action movie "The Expendables" is the actors who played the main and secondary roles. For fans of this genre, the appearance in one episode of Sylvester Stallone, Bruce Willis and Arnold Schwarzenegger is important.
The story of the tough guys turned out to be so vivid because the plot contains impressive episodes that include:
- the use of various weapons - from a grenade launcher to a shotgun with explosive cartridges;
- fights, well-staged and performed by professionals;
- firefights using equipment with laser sights beams, explosions and tracer arrows;
- car chases;
- a sea of blood, brutal reprisals, daring murders.
Desperate former mercenaries travel to the small island of Vilena in South America. The goal of the mission is to save residents from the lawlessness organized by the local corrupt authorities and the mafia.
The task of the guys with Barney Ross at the head of the squad is to eliminate the dictator-ruler - General Garza. However, having understood the circumstances, they realize that the general is a pawn in the hands of James Monroe, a former CIA officer and now a major drug dealer. He is the target of the group.
Guys who have gone through more than one war and hardened by trials realize that they have no chance of surviving this battle. But they are not used to showing weakness, so they unite and fight desperately, risking their lives.
On the island, an operation begins to eliminate Monroe, who, leaving the island, kills Garza. To get to him, the special squad destroys the general's soldiers and Monroe's men. In the final battle, Barney kills James. The fighters prove that they are ready to fulfill the unrealizable.
A scene from the series.
Actors who played the main roles
Sylvester Stallone gathered many celebrities to take part in the filming, and not only actors, but also athletes. And they all look organic in the frame.
Sylvester Stallone
Sly himself played the role of Barney Ross, a middle-aged special forces soldier, the leader of the squad. He organizes assignments, manages finances, controls the plane. He is good at shootouts and tries in every possible way to prove his superiority in battle, even in front of colleagues.
Barney is the prototype of the cult Rambo, the owner of a mountain of muscle, honor and nobility. The incarnation that is so close to the actor.
Glory to Sylvester was brought by participation in the films "Rocky" and "Rambo". For many years he acted in films of this genre. Despite his role, Stallone is a versatile artist, in his filmography there is even a director's work in the dance film Lost.
Sylvester Stallone as Barney Ross.
Jason Statham
The actor played a character named Christmas Lee. He is a former parachutist, wielding a knife, which he prefers to fight. Refuses to use a pistol, which constantly endangers himself and his comrades.
His faithful "horse" is a motorcycle, on which he can often be seen in the frame. The girl is cheating on Lee with another guy. Christmas must succeed Ross when he leaves the squad.
Jason is a former athlete and model. He began his career with participation in the works of Guy Ritchie, where he played criminals. Luc Besson's saga "The Transporter" made him famous, and his starring role was the incarnation of a psychopath in "Adrenaline".
Jason Statham played Christmas Lee.
Jet Li
His hero Yin Yang is a professional in martial arts and a well-aimed shooter. Colleagues make fun of the guy because of his short stature. Jet Li's character is funny and at the same time a little boring, he is the source of humor in an action movie.
In the cinema of the 80s. Jet Li was at the pinnacle of acting fame. His role in the movie "Shaolin Temple" brought him success. In life, a Chinese and Singaporean artist is a wushu master.
Wushu master Jet Li.
Eric Roberts
The drug lord and villain James Monroe was portrayed by Eric Roberts. Negative characters are his strong point, so he definitely got used to the image of a "bad guy".
The actor starred in more than 500 films, including action films and TV series. Eric Roberts' roles are often not the main ones, which did not prevent him from becoming an Oscar and Golden Globe nominee. Shooting in the film "Runaway Train" by Andrei Konchalovsky became a revolution in the artist's career.
Eric Roberts played James Monroe.
Other interesting characters
The motion picture has interesting secondary characters:
- The star of Buffy the Vampire Slayer is Charisma Carpenter. She played Christmas's friend.
- Giselle Itie as the daughter of the general, Sandra, who fought against her father in the team of the "unstoppable".
- Dolph Lundgren, who became famous after the release of "Universal Soldier" in the early 90s, portrayed the controversial Swede Gunnar. His hero takes drugs, but controls the situation. The fighter's psyche is undermined after participating in wars, but he has a clear idea of honor.
- Mickey Rourke played the role of a former mercenary named Toole. This character supplies tasks and equips the squad. Toole is the owner of a tattoo parlor. His dream is to die in bed with a beautiful woman.
- Bruce Willis is a guest star. He starred in the small role of Mr. Church, who framed a command of special forces, sending them on an impossible mission.
- Arnold Schwarzenegger, star of "The Terminator", took part, like Willis, in 1 episode. Despite the fact that his name is not in the credits, all advertising for the picture on television is built on the moment with the participation of Schwarzenegger.
Dolph Lundgren as Gunnar.
Professional athletes involved in the film, whom the cinema viewer saw for the first time:
- Football player Terry Crews. His hero Caesar amuses him with his big bazooka.
- Greco-Roman fighter Randy Couture, one of the founders of MMA. In the film - the mercenary Tall Road.
- Wrestler Steve Austin and kickboxer Gary Daniels are the bandits of the Monroe gang.
The creators have made a good classic male cinema, which is superior to modern works in terms of entertainment. All ideas have been implemented at the highest level. Watching The Expendables will satisfy the nostalgia of a generation that matured in the 80s.
