Expend4bles gets shot down by some critics and is on target for others as moviegoers brace for the anticipated action flick.
Per Screen Rant, Expend4bles has triggered a range of emotions among insiders who've gotten to watch the film before its release, with the upcoming sequel being branded "barely watchable" by one critic and "awesome" by another. One insider, Hunter Bolding, expressed how let down he was by the film's script, saying, "It makes an absolutely boneheaded decision right at the beginning of the movie and keeps going with a weak script," before adding it "needed more firepower." Alternatively, Jeff Schwartz called Expend4bles a "fun movie," while praising Megan Fox and Tony Jaa for their performances.
Bitesize Breakdown blasted Expend4bles, calling it the "weakest entry yet" before adding, "The lack of star power and humor shows that this franchise is headed in the wrong direction." Meanwhile, Sean Patrick Kelly offered a more neutral view, saying, "it’s far from the best film in the franchise (that still goes to the second film), but it’s still an entertaining action film that benefits from the return to an R rating."
Along with the mixed critical reaction in the build-up to Expend4bles' premiere, the fourth installment of the Expendables franchise is on track for a franchise-worst opening weekend at the box office. The feature-length project is expected to take home anywhere between $13 and $18 million domestically. By comparison, The Expendables earned $34.8 million during its first weekend while Expendables 2 and Expendables 3 earned $28.5 million and $15.8 million, respectively.
Expend4bles Mixes Returning Stars With New Blood
Expend4bles promises lots of bloody action, evidenced ever since the first trailer was released in June. The star-studded affair sees Sylvester Stallone return as the eponymous group's leader Barney Ross while Jason Statham features as second-in-command and knife expert Lee Christmas. The film also stars Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson as Easy Day, the above-mentioned Fox as Christmas' former love interest and CIA agent Gina and UFC legend Randy Couture as Toll Road. Expend4bles is helmed by Scott Waugh, who previously directed 2014's Need for Speed and Hidden Strike.
Expend4bles premiered on Sept. 15 in China, with the movie earning $10.7 million so far against its $100 million budget. The film's performance will help determine whether there will be another sequel, with producers Kevin King-Templeton and Les Weldon revealing it will only happen if there is sufficient fan demand.
Expend4bles opens in theaters across North America on Sept. 22.
Source: Screen Rant