Expendables, The (11/23/2010)

Rated R for strong action and bloody violence throughout, and for some language

Directed by Sylvester Stallone (Rambo, Rocky Balboa)

Starring Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Mickey Rourke, Dolph Lundgren, Steve Austin and Eric Roberts

This movie was Expendable.

The Expendables is a hard-hitting action/thriller about a group of mercenaries hired to infiltrate a South American country and overthrow its ruthless dictator. Once the mission begins, the men realize things aren’t quite as they appear, finding themselves caught in a dangerous web of deceit and betrayal. With their mission thwarted and an innocent life in danger, the men struggle with an even tougher challenge – one that threatens to destroy this band of brothers.

This should be a no-brainer, but just in case…The Expendables is really violent. More on that later.

Ok enough over simplifying. Here’s the fact of the matter, Sylvester Stallone has never directed a good film. Yes I said it and yes I still think Rocky III is the best one of the franchise…Come on Mr. T and Hulk Hogan!! But is it a quality film? NO. It’s cheese. And if Sly knows two things, its cheese and violence. The problem I had with Expendables was trying to figure out which one it had more of.

Too much cheese? Prehaps. Sly actually trys to tell a love story throughout the film that ends with him saying something really corny about why they could never be together. There is also a scene in which he and Mickey Rourke share a tender moment…and I think they even cry…or at least really try hard to make it look like they are crying.

Too much violence? Maybe. I honestly could not even ballpark how many people die in this movie. But in one scene one of the Expendables has a semi-automatic shotgun (that’s not a typo) and mauls down almost the entire army. To even say the word ridiculous makes me feel silly.

More Cheese?? Well there is one scene that has cause a lot of buzz. Three of Hollywood’s biggest action stars together in one movie…Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Bruce Willis. And it’s true they are all together in one scene…that lasts five minutes and is amazingly anti-climatic.

Walking in to The Expendables I thought I had a pretty good idea what I was paying for…violence covered in cheese…and that’s exactly what I got. I see no reason for me to go higher than an Only If Free.

SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
There is no sex or nudity, but the violence is overwhelming at times. They don’t just shot the enemy…they blow limbs off…and show everything.

Conversation Starter
Three Simple Questions (with Answers You May Be Looking for):

Q: What was the theme (or the message) of this movie?

A: There were a couple of themes that really stood out in this movie. The first one was the clear example of betrayal. Dolph Lundgren (Jensen) sells out his crew in the film, which really complicates the good guys’ job of saving the world. Second, there was a great sense of teamwork amongst the good guys, each of them playing their role as some sort of “specialist.”

Q: As Christians, what should our reaction to this movie be?

A: This was a really violent movie, and Christians are called to be a people of love, not a people of brutality. In that way, Christians must separate themselves from this film.

That being said, followers of Jesus should also take note of the fact that the team members tried to defend the weak, seek justice, and eliminate evil. We share that in common with them. However, our strategy is very different from theirs. When they responded to a situation, it was wrapped in force and violence. Our response must be one of obedience to God.

Ephesians 4:21-27 reads:

Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.

It sounds as though Paul is saying it’s OK to be angry, we just don’t have God’s permission to sin through our anger.

Q: How can we move from healthy, Bible-based opinions about this movie to actually living out those opinions?

A: As the church, we must work together like most of the good guys did. Using our spiritual gifts, we can point to God by willingly and humbly serving together. We have to stay away from dissention and betrayal, and build each other up. Each of us has gifts given to us by the Holy Spirit so we can move God’s Kingdom forward. We cannot do that if we are at each others’ throats. Remember, Jesus said that the world would be able to distinguish His disciples by their love for one another (John 13:35).