TLDR Review: The Expendables 2 Blu-ray
Verdict
This is a fun, nostalgic explosion of classic action star power, packed with humor, over-the-top violence, and a feel-good '80s/'90s vibe. If you’re after a high-energy, star-studded action flick that doesn’t take itself seriously, this Blu-ray offers great entertainment. However, if you prefer sharp visuals or a substantial plot, you might want to consider other options. For collectors, the steelbook edition adds a nice touch.
- Top pro:
- Improved in many ways over the first film, especially in action and humor, making it more entertaining.
- Top con:
- Visual quality suffers in dark scenes with noticeable grain and lower resolution, feeling closer to standard DVD quality at times.
Pros
- •Improved in many ways over the first film, especially in action and humor, making it more entertaining.
- •Features a star-studded cast of iconic action stars from the 80s and 90s, including Stallone, Schwarzenegger, Willis, Van Damme, and Chuck Norris.
- •The film maintains a fun, over-the-top tone with lots of humor, silly one-liners, and passable jokes, perfect for a mindless action movie.
- •Action scenes are plentiful, exciting, and well-executed, with bigger guns, more violence, and the inclusion of a T-72 tank for high-octane fun.
- •Nostalgic return of action heroes, offering a classic '80s/'90s style with modern touches that many fans appreciate.
- •Heavy focus on chaos, with impactful explosions and impactful sound, especially with a good surround sound setup.
- •The main villain, Van Damme, delivers an over-the-top, entertaining performance that adds to the chaos.
- •Strong presence of returning characters with more screen time for Stallone and Schwarzenegger.
- •Comes with a visually attractive steelbook packaging and a slipcover with tactile lettering, great for collectors.
- •Better quality visuals than the first film, providing a satisfying Blu-ray experience.
Cons
- •Visual quality suffers in dark scenes with noticeable grain and lower resolution, feeling closer to standard DVD quality at times.
- •Jet Li's role is reduced to a cameo, which might disappoint fans wanting more of his character.
- •The storyline focuses on fun over logic or depth, so it lacks a serious plot; some may find it shallow.
- •The humor and action, while entertaining, are very campy and over-the-top, which might not appeal to everyone seeking realism.
- •The film's loud audio can be overwhelming if you're not into intense sound effects or don't have a high-quality system.
- •Some may find the parodying and joke references too silly or juvenile, reducing appeal for those wanting more sophisticated comedy.
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How we researched this
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