The Expendables 1-4 4K UHD Steelbook Review
“The Expendables” series gets a new 4K set.
For lovers of 80’s action movies and action movie stars, The Expendables franchise was tailor made for you. Through the four films in the series, viewers get to see action heroes band together in action-packed extravaganzas. While none of the movies are classics by any means, there’s something fun about seeing these movie stars share the screen together (even if it can be forced and cheesy).
The first in the series (“The Expendables”) finds Sylvester Stallone stepping into the director’s chair (he also co-wrote the script alongside David Callaham). The story concerns a group of mercenaries (the titular Expendables) embarking on missions together. The initial team is comprised of Barney Ross (Stallone), Lee Christmas (Jason Statham), Toll Road (Randy Couture), Hale Caesar (Terry Crews), Yin Yang (Jet Li), Gunner Jensen (Dolph Lundgren). Bruce Willis, Mickey Rourke, Steve Austin and Arnold Schwarzenegger also show up here. The main plot concerns a mission to stop an ex-CIA agent named James Monroe that is working with General Garza (a dictator on the island of Vilena). It’s an entirely disposable action movie, but again it’s just entertaining to see these stars on screen together. The thrilling action set pieces (including a car chase) are an added bonus as well.
“The Expendables 2” is actually the best reviewed entry in the entire series and it’s definitely the best in the series. The entire team is back alongside new members Billy The Kid (Liam Hemsworth) and Maggie Chan (Yu Nan). The film kicks off with the crew venturing to Nepal to rescue a Doctor and Trench (played by Arnold Schwarzenegger who has his biggest role in the series here) before they embark on another mission to Albania to find a computer with valuable intel that is also being sought by arms dealer Jean Vilain (Jean-Claude Van Damme) who runs the criminal group the Sangs. Vilain ends up killing a member of the team (no spoilers) and Barney vows revenge. In terms of sheer entertainment, this one delivers the most. Not only do you have Jean-Claude Van Damme and Scott Adkins as villains, but you have Chuck Norris popping up (in the best scene of the movie) AND bigger roles for Arnold Schwarzenegger and Bruce Willis. You can’t go wrong with that.
“The Expendables 3” begins with Barney, Lee, Toll, and Gunner saving former Expendables Dr. Death (Wesley Snipes) from a prison camp before stealing bombs meant for a Somalian warlord. They discover that the bomb supplier is a former Expendable named Conrad Stonebanks (Mel Gibson). In the skirmish, Hale (who joined the team for the mission) is severely injured leaving Barney to disband the Expendables. Shortly thereafter, Barney is assigned to capture Conrad and he builds a new team comprised of John Smilee (Kellan Lutz), Luna (Ronda Rousey), Thorn (Glen Powell), and Mars (Victor Ortiz). The mission to capture Conrad backfires when his new team is captured by Conrad. Now, Barney recruits the help of Galgo (Antonio Banderas) and his old team to take down Conrad once and for all. The third entry has a bad wrap, but to me it succeeds just for the star power alone. As mentioned above, this sequel brings Wesley Snipes, Mel Gibson, Ronda Rousey, Glen Powell into the fold alongside Harrison Ford (as a pilot), and Kelsey Grammer. Schwarzenegger and Jet Li also appear. The plot is absolutely nothing special, but who is watching these movies for the story? It’s all about the action and the star power and in that it delivers. Yes, the banter is often eye-rolling, but for those who grew up on movies from these stars, it’s just a blast to see them interact together. Note: For some reason only the theatrical version is on 4K. The Blu-ray has the unrated cut and the theatrical cut.
Having just reviewed “Expend4bles” in full, check out the link below to read my review of the weakest entry in the series: https://dvdcorner.net/2023/11/17/expend4bles-4k-uhd-review/
Note: The Expendables 1-4 4K Steelbook set is a Wal-Mart exclusive.
Video/Audio:
Presentation: 2.40:1 2160p for the first 3 films and 2.39:1 2160p With Dolby Vision for the 4th film. How do they look? The discs are worth the upgrade for fans as they provide crisper image quality.
Audio Track: Dolby Atmos for all 4 films. How do they sound? The action is pleasingly loud. What more can you ask for?
Extras:
* Blu-ray copies of all 4 films
* Digital copies of all 4 films
* The Expendables Blu-ray Archival Bonus Features- Commentary by Sylvester Stallone, gag reel, deleted scene, 2010 San Diego Comic-Con Panel, Ultimate Recon Mode (picture-in-picture extra), “Inferno: The Making Of The Expendables” (a 4 part making of), “From The Ashes: Post Production Documentary,” theatrical trailer, TV spots, poster gallery, and Lionsgate trailers.
* The Expendables 2 Blu-ray Archival Bonus Features- Lionsgate trailers, commentary by director Simon West, gag reel, over 4 ½ minutes of deleted scenes, “Gods Of War: Assembling Earth’s Mightiest Anti-Heroes” (casting featurette), “Guns For Hire: The Real Expendables” (about real-life mercenaries and private security), “On The Assault: The Real-Life Weaponry Of The Expendables 2” (weapons featurette), “Big Guns, Bigger Heroes: The 1980’s And The Rise Of The Action Film” (featurette on 80’s action films and stars),
* The Expendables 3 Blu-ray Archival Bonus Features- Gag reel, extended scene, “The Total Action Package” (a featurette on action set pieces), Lionsgate ads, “New Blood: Stacked And Jacked” (about the new cast members), and “The Expendables 3 Documentary” (a near hour-long documentary with interviews and set footage).
* Expend4bles (Extras are on the 4K and Blu-ray for this film only): Theatrical trailer, commentary by director Scott Waugh, “More Than A Team: New Blood Meets Old Blood” (cast featurette), and “Bigger, Bolder, Badder: The Expendables In Action” (behind-the-scenes featurette on the action).
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