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The Expendables 2

  • 20122012
  • RR
  • 1h 43m
IMDb RATING
6.6/10
304K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,630
228
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Dolph Lundgren, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Bruce Willis, Jet Li, Chuck Norris, Jason Statham, Terry Crews, Randy Couture, and Liam Hemsworth in The Expendables 2 (2012)
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.
Play trailer1:01
8 Videos
99+ Photos
  • Action
  • Adventure
  • Thriller
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 ag... Read allMr. 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.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.
IMDb RATING
6.6/10
304K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,630
228
  • Director
    • Simon West
  • Writers
    • Richard Wenk(screenplay)
    • Sylvester Stallone(screenplay)
    • Ken Kaufman(story)
  • Stars
    • Sylvester Stallone
    • Liam Hemsworth
    • Randy Couture
Top credits
  • Director
    • Simon West
  • Writers
    • Richard Wenk(screenplay)
    • Sylvester Stallone(screenplay)
    • Ken Kaufman(story)
  • Stars
    • Sylvester Stallone
    • Liam Hemsworth
    • Randy Couture
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 531User reviews
    • 398Critic reviews
    • 51Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 4 wins & 5 nominations

    Videos8

    New Trailer
    Trailer 1:01
    New Trailer
    No. 2
    Trailer 2:22
    No. 2
    Teaser
    Trailer 1:01
    Teaser
    "Airport"
    Clip 1:08
    "Airport"
    "Watch Tower"
    Clip 0:47
    "Watch Tower"
    "Smart Car"
    Clip 0:39
    "Smart Car"
    "Loaded"
    Clip 0:40
    "Loaded"
    "Behind the Scenes"
    Featurette 1:11
    "Behind the Scenes"

    Photos577

    Dolph Lundgren, Terry Crews, and Randy Couture in The Expendables 2 (2012)
    Liam Hemsworth in The Expendables 2 (2012)
    Arnold Schwarzenegger in The Expendables 2 (2012)
    Jason Statham in The Expendables 2 (2012)
    Randy Couture in The Expendables 2 (2012)
    Terry Crews in The Expendables 2 (2012)
    Jason Statham in The Expendables 2 (2012)
    Arnold Schwarzenegger in The Expendables 2 (2012)
    Dolph Lundgren in The Expendables 2 (2012)
    Chuck Norris in The Expendables 2 (2012)
    Sylvester Stallone in The Expendables 2 (2012)
    Jean-Claude Van Damme in The Expendables 2 (2012)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Sylvester Stallone
    Sylvester Stallone
    • Barney Rossas Barney Ross
    Liam Hemsworth
    Liam Hemsworth
    • Billy The Kidas Billy The Kid
    Randy Couture
    Randy Couture
    • Toll Roadas Toll Road
    Jean-Claude Van Damme
    Jean-Claude Van Damme
    • Vilainas Vilain
    Jason Statham
    Jason Statham
    • Lee Christmasas Lee Christmas
    Jet Li
    Jet Li
    • Yin Yangas Yin Yang
    Dolph Lundgren
    Dolph Lundgren
    • Gunner Jensenas Gunner Jensen
    Chuck Norris
    Chuck Norris
    • Bookeras Booker
    Bruce Willis
    Bruce Willis
    • Churchas Church
    Arnold Schwarzenegger
    Arnold Schwarzenegger
    • Trenchas Trench
    Terry Crews
    Terry Crews
    • Hale Caesaras Hale Caesar
    Scott Adkins
    Scott Adkins
    • Hectoras Hector
    Nan Yu
    Nan Yu
    • Maggieas Maggie
    Amanda Ooms
    Amanda Ooms
    • Pilaras Pilar
    Charisma Carpenter
    Charisma Carpenter
    • Lacyas Lacy
    Nikolette Noel
    Nikolette Noel
    • Billy's Wifeas Billy's Wife
    George Zlatarev
    • Bojanas Bojan
    Alexander Moskov
    • Stephanas Stephan
    • Director
      • Simon West
    • Writers
      • Richard Wenk(screenplay) (story)
      • Sylvester Stallone(screenplay)
      • Ken Kaufman(story)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Sylvester Stallone asked Chuck Norris to include a reference to The Chuck Norris facts (a popular internet meme) in the screenplay. Norris's wife Gena O'Kelly suggested him the one with the cobra. ("Chuck Norris was bitten by a cobra, and after five days of excruciating pain... the cobra died.")
    • Goofs
      The guys are seen zip-lining down on a high voltage power line. This could never be possible, as on every pylon, the wire is anchored to an insulator. Even considering the fact that the power was turned off, they could have only zip-lined between two pylons.
    • Quotes

      Barney Ross: I've heard another rumor, that you were bitten by a king cobra?

      Booker: Yeah, I was. But after five days of agonizing pain, the cobra died.

    • Crazy credits
      During the end credits, as the actors image and name appears, there is a lightning flash on the actor's face. When this occurs, an image of a "skull" appears superimposed over the face with the flash and then fades.
    • Alternate versions
      In the version dubbed for francophone markets, the character Church, played by Bruce Willis is renamed to Chapelle.
    • Connections
      Featured in The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Episode #20.58 (2011)
    • Soundtracks
      The Wanderer
      Written by Ernie Maresca

      Performed by Dion DiMucci (as Dion)

      Published by Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. (BMI)

      Courtesy of EMI Film & TV

    User reviews531

    Review
    Top review
    6/10
    Welcome back to the '80s
    It takes a certain mindset to appreciate a movie like "The Expendables 2". One has to be a fan of the action genre of the 1980s and early 1990s, as well as enjoying those action heroes' persona and screen presence whenever they appear on-screen. They did not necessarily have to act well, but they had to be tough, heroic, stoic, larger than life. Realism need not really apply here - it's all about the fun factor. People paid to see these guys blow away the scum of the earth as they only know how.

    "The Expendables 2" is the first sequel (and it most certainly would not be the last) to Stallone's 2010 surprise blockbuster which was intended as a glorious throwback to the films of that era. This one is no exception. However, it is a rare sequel which is better than the first. The story may not be important in these types of movies, but in this one the screenplay had a much clearer and stronger narrative than the first film, making it clear that the stakes are raised, thus enabling the story, however shallow, to be more engaging for the audience.

    Director Simon West ("Con Air") did wonders with the action sequences as he usually does with his movies. The majority of the action sequences are well shot with wide angles and much better stunt choreography (with CGI touches added here and there, but not as pervasive as the first film's CGI blood; good ol' squibs are used here mostly) which gets annoying with the film's rapid editing at times. Brian Tyler's music score was fairly engaging but didn't really stand out. Overall, the technical aspects of the film really shows off the big budget for the film, and it pays off ultimately.

    But what about the characters? If you've seen the director's cut for the first film, that's about as close as you can get for character development. Like the first, this is all-out action, but it has some dramatic moments too. There is a line about coping with death that Barney Ross mutters that feels kind of sad knowing Stallone's own real- life predicament. Van Damme's having a blast as the Villain, and a menacing one at that. The biggest disappointment was that of Jet Li's very minimal screen presence, like a cameo. Hopefully an extended version will fix that problem.

    The film's biggest entertainment value comes in the constant one-liners from and between the action icons of the eras, as well as their presence and their dispatching of the bad guys. The banter here is certainly more hilarious and less bland than the first film - there is much more chemistry between the characters. Their screen presence needs no explanation: Sylvester Stallone. Arnold Schwarzenegger. Bruce Willis. Jean-Claude Van Damme. Chuck Norris. Dolph Lundgren. Jason Statham. Jet Li. Need I say more? Cult or mainstream, these guys each has hordes of fans - and they have good reason to.

    I grew up on these types of movies and ultimately "The Expendables 2" satisfies my craving for good old-fashioned movie bloodlust in wake of the ever-rising wave of PG-13, CGI-laden action films ("Total Recall" remake, anyone? Oh Arnie, where art thou?). That being said, I expect an extended director's cut as I feel that some parts were awkwardly put together, and hopefully these removed scenes will make the film better as a whole. For now, "The Expendables 2" is very good entertainment, as shallow as it is technically well-made and ends the 2012 summer movie season with a big bang.

    Now bring on "The Expendables 3" with Steven Seagal and Wesley Snipes (to basically complete the cycle of 80's/'90s action heroes). Mel Gibson, Kurt Russell, Harrison Ford, Nicolas Cage and Clint Eastwood (my #1 action hero) are also most welcome indeed.

    Overall rating: 65%

    Action movie rating: 75%
    helpful•83
    42
    • dvc5159
    • Aug 17, 2012

    FAQ5

    • What is 'The Expendables 2' about?
    • Is 'The Expendables 2' based on a book?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 17, 2012 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • Germany
      • China
    • Official sites
      • Instagram
      • Lionsgate
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • The Expendables II
    • Filming locations
      • Plovdiv Airport, Bulgaria
    • Production companies
      • Lionsgate
      • Millennium Films
      • Nu Image Entertainment GmbH
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $100,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $85,028,192
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $28,591,370
      • Aug 19, 2012
    • Gross worldwide
      • $314,975,955
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 43 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
      • Datasat
      • Dolby Surround 7.1
      • SDDS
      • Auro 11.1
      • Dolby Atmos
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

    Related news

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    Dolph Lundgren, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Bruce Willis, Jet Li, Chuck Norris, Jason Statham, Terry Crews, Randy Couture, and Liam Hemsworth in The Expendables 2 (2012)
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