The news about the plane crash that involved the founder of PMC isn’t just late August 2023 chatter. It also marks the uneasy finale of a long-running action saga. The Expendables return to the big screen with a fourth installment, and the reasons behind the decision remain murky.
The concept centers on a group of mercenaries whose competence is questionable, yet they keep taking government assignments. The premise feels forced to some, especially for a franchise that has never quite found a steady balance between spectacle and plausibility. Still, the effort seems understandable in retrospect. The Expendables were pitched as a modern epic, a cinematic playground for fans of big-name stars. The ensemble features Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Randy Couture, and Terry Crews, with appearances by Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bruce Willis, Chuck Norris, Mickey Rourke, Harrison Ford, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Mel Gibson, and others. Historically, the cast struggled to mesh on screen; many legends acted as if they were in separate films, yielding moments of memorable tension rather than seamless chemistry.
Even fans note the plot and dialogue often descend into cringe-worthy one-liners that barely meet the genre’s modest expectations. Yet the films still reach an audience that appreciates their unapologetic antiheroes, sometimes even doubling down on the moral ambiguity of the heroes. The series managed solid box office returns across its installments, with the third entry notably experimenting with a PG-13 rating that disappointed some fans while still performing well relative to peers.
There were bright spots amid the chaos. Stallone’s direction sometimes faltered, and a noticeably imposing presence occasionally overshadowed other talents behind the camera, yet the stunts remained a signature strength. Chad Stahelski, famed for his work on The Matrix and later the John Wick films, contributed to the original action sequences in a way that left a lasting impression. With the second film, Simon West stepped in and amplified the energy, improving both pacing and visual ambition. The third film brought in a strong villain, played by Mel Gibson, whose critique of double standards among the heroes added a sharper edge to the franchise’s self-awareness.
Ultimately, the first three installments leaned on nostalgia, evoking the glory days of action cinema from the 80s and 90s. The release of the third movie came just as John Wick was redefining the genre, a reminder that both series share a Lionsgate connection. After that peak, talk of spin-offs and other projects persisted, but the plan never fully materialized. A comic book arc titled The Expendables Go to Hell offered a tongue-in-cheek spin where the heroes faced a demonic underworld, a playful exaggeration that matched the franchise’s larger-than-life tone.
The question now is who, if anyone, truly needs a fourth Expendables. The return of a harsher R rating signals a commitment to old-school sensibilities, but the franchise no longer carries the same momentum. The jokes feel dated, and the storytelling mirrors its own past rather than breaking new ground. References to familiar lines and cameos land with a sense of nostalgic wink, but the substance behind the nostalgia is thinner than before. The cast has shifted again, with some longtime figures stepping away and newer names stepping in. The presence of familiar faces like Statham alongside fresh names has not fully filled the gap left by veterans. Overall, the project reads as a measured gamble rather than a bold revival.
What stands out is a sense that the franchise is reassembling around a core that feels more about reputation than fresh momentum. Stallone’s influence remains visible, yet the direction hints at a transition that may not fully pay off. If there is a path forward, it will likely hinge on balancing the thrill of the ensemble with a sharper, more contemporary take on action dynamics. The fourth installment arrives at a moment when audiences crave novelty as much as familiarity, challenging this series to prove it can still entertain without leaning on past glories. In the end, watching The Expendables 4 is a bet on whether nostalgia can carry a franchise when newer ideas struggle to land.