The Expendables
Metascore
45 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 35 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 35
  2. Mixed: 22 out of 35
  3. Negative: 7 out of 35
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  1. New York Post
    Reviewed by: Lou Lumenick
    38
    Incoherent, inept, testosterone-drenched mess, which is very much the brain-dead male equivalent of "Sex and the City 2."
  2. Rolling Stone
    Reviewed by: Peter Travers
    38
    So why oh why is The Expendables such a limp-dick bust? Because Stallone forgets to include non-spazzy direction, a coherent plot, dialogue that actors can speak without cringing, stunts that don't fizzle, blood that isn't digital and an animating spirit that might convince us to give a damn.
  3. USA Today
    Reviewed by: Claudia Puig
    38
    Sadistic mess of a movie.
  4. Miami Herald
    Reviewed by: Rene Rodriguez
    38
    Jason Statham gives the best performance. Dolph Lundgren gets the best character arc. Terry Crews gets the best gun. Jet Li gets the best kill (you'll know it when you see it).Arnold Schwarzenegger gets the best cameo. And Sylvester Stallone? He gets the blame.
  5. The New Yorker
    Reviewed by: Anthony Lane
    10
    The Expendables is savage yet inert, and breathtakingly sleazy in its lack of imagination.
  6. Movieline
    Reviewed by: Stephanie Zacharek
    30
    The whole exercise has the trying-too-hard vibe of a bad toupee.
  7. Premiere
    Reviewed by: John DeVore
    12
    There's never any real danger in the movie, which makes The Expendables feel like one of those chummy Rat Pack flicks that were just excuses for a bunch of pals to get together and goof off.

User Reviews

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User Score
6.2 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 307 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 64 out of 108
  2. Mixed: 23 out of 108
  3. Negative: 21 out of 108
  1. skuz440
    8
    I don't understand the bad reviews. The movie isn't trying to be anything other than a hark back to the action films of the 80's; lots of explosions, lots of violence and a cheesy plot. The acting is good for what it is (we're not talking Oscars here people) and the actors are all veterans of the silver screen, with the exception of Stone Cold and Randy Couture who actually did a fine job of playing their parts. Stallone movies will always be what they are, good, fun, mindless action flicks. He's had a couple of better roles (First Blood, Cop Land) but for the most part he always plays the unsung hero. Get over yourselves and just grab a bag of popcorn and have a good time.… Full Review »
  2. EliteF50
    10
    The critics couldn't be more wrong on this one. The Expandable is one of the best action movies of all time, it delivers on everything it promises and then some. Every time there was a fight scene, I was overwhelmed by the incredible action on the screen. Bottom line, don't listen to the reviews. Watch this movie.… Full Review »
  3. cololama
    10
    wow wonderful of using the whole cast. the way each actor big name was used in the film was the best anyone could of done. Stallone is an action genius. Chuck Norris, Jean-Claude Van Damme, and Steven Segal should of accepted their roles.… Full Review »
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