Who cares if Movie Bob got a little caught up in his anger? It happens to everybody. Everybody's entitled to their opinion (and an occasional rage dump).
That being said, I will agree to disagree. I thought The Expendables was a blast. Really stupid, but it was probably the most fun I've had with my friends at the theater in a long time. It definitely had its faults, and, like hearing a joke repeated, I wouldn't consider it to be strong upon a secondary viewing, as there's more than a few punchline moments that resulted in my enjoyment the first time around. It was a little slow in the middle and the bigger pay-offs were spread too thin. They hyped up the Arnold and Willis scene. My friends and I would later comment that it would be best if we hadn't known. Particularly with Arnold. The way he enters his cameo scene, back lit by the impossibly bright sun would have had me peeing my pants with laughter if I didn't already know what was coming.
I definitely disagree with most of the things that Movie Bob said about the movie. As far as gore goes (not that this ever made a movie good), there's a pirate getting blown in half in the first scene, with several more to follow in the climax. Also, I felt that there were several moments in the movie that successfully ribbed on itself, its stars, and the action genre from the time period. My personal favorite is the scene as they are running through the enemy compound laying so many explosives over such a long period of time, that it quickly becomes hilariously ludicrous. I loved seeing the actual physical scene that would have to have taken place off-screen in old action movies to achieve the same climactic result as the enemies' doom fortress is blown to rubble. Also, the reunion at the end of the movie (even with a character that by all means should, and was indicated to be, dead) was so knowingly corny.
I guess what it boils down to is that top-grade fillet mignon and an aged cabernet always tastes good. But sometimes I just get a craving for a giant, greasy cheese pizza and cheap beer.
As far as the post drama, I consider it a lover's quarrel. I'm not going to rage back at Bob for being passionate. But Bob, keep in mind that passion without direction is chaos. I'll be back next week, regardless, as I find Bob's musings interesting and, typically, well-informed.
