EXPEND4BLES [2023] [Blu-ray] [UK Release] They’ll Die . . . When They’re Dead!
Reuniting as the team of elite mercenaries with a new generation of stars joining the world's top action stars for an ‘EXPEND4BLES’ adrenaline-fueled adventure and armed with every weapon they can get their hands on and the skills to use them, and includes Jason Statham, Dolph Lundgren, Randy Couture, and Sylvester Stallone are joined for the first time by Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, Megan Fox, Tony Jaa, Iko Uwais, Jacob Scipio, Levy Tran, and Andy Garcia are ‘EXPEND4BLES’ who are the world's last line of defence and the team that gets called when all other options are off the table. But now new team members with new daring styles and tactics are going to give “new blood” a whole new meaning.
FILM FACT: After the ‘Expendables 3’ [2014] underperformed at the box office, the future of the series was left in doubt and production stalled over several years. By November 2014, it was announced that the project is being developed with intent to retain its R-rating like the first two films. In December 2016, Sylvester Stallone announced that the fourth instalment will be the final film in the series, while a scheduled tentative release date was set for 2018. By March 2017, Sylvester Stallone had left the project and the franchise, due to creative differences over the script and direction for continuing the franchise. In January 2018, after vocal support from other cast members including Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone announced his return to the series with a post to his social media platforms; confirming new developments on the fourth movie. In July 2018, Gregory Poirier announced his role as screenwriter. Production was tentatively scheduled to begin by April 2019, though it wasn't until July of that year that Sylvester Stallone announced that he was continuing to work on the script for the project. The script was completed later that year, though negotiations with producers were ongoing. In August 2021, it was announced that Spenser Cohen wrote the most recent draft of the script with Max Adams, from a story by Spenser Cohen. In June 2020, Jean-Claude Van Damme expressed interest in returning to the franchise, publicly pitching his idea of playing Claude Vilain, the brother to his villain character, Jean Vilain, from the ‘Expendables 2.’ Despite discontent with how his character was handled in ‘Expendables 3’ and Arnold Schwarzenegger proclaimed he was interested in returning to the series if he liked the script. However, on the 29th May, 2023, Arnold Schwarzenegger confirmed that he would not be returning to the franchise, citing a general disinterest. While he was not included in the fourth movie, Kellan Lutz proclaimed an interest to return in a fifth instalment in an Instagram post. On the other hand, Terry Crews, who had starred in all previous films, refused to appear in any new entries after claiming he was sexually assaulted by Sylvester Stallone's agent, Adam Venit, alleging he was pressured by producer Avi Lerner to drop the case if he wanted to stay in the series. However, none of the actors mentioned above were subsequently cast, and the cast was announced to include returning stars like Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Randy Couture, and Dolph Lundgren, while new cast members were revealed to be Eddie Hall, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, Megan Fox, Tony Jaa, Andy García, Sheila Shah, Jacob Scipio and Levy Tran, with Iko Uwais playing the villain.
Cast: Jason Statham, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, Megan Fox, Dolph Lundgren, Tony Jaa, Iko Uwais, Andy Garcia, Sylvester Stallone, Randy Couture, Jacob Scipio, Levy Tran, Lucy Newman-Williams, Daren Nop, Kenny “Cowboy” Bartram, Cody Mackie, Cokey Falkow, Dan Chupong, Karim Saidi, Samuel Black, Adam Masto, Sheila Shah, Nicole Andrews, Oat Jenner, Susanne Potrock, Eddie Hall, Mike Möller, Alexander Hristozov, Antoni Davidov, David Nop, Igor PeÄÂenjev, Stefan Ivanov, Vladimir Mihailov, Martin Ghiaurov, Tjaša Perko, Stefan Bahrun, Asen Karanikolov, Jason Lines (uncredited) and Caroline Wilde (uncredited)
Director: Scott Waugh
Producers: Abby Mills, Alexander Kenanov, Allen Dam, Anna Halberg, Avi Lerner, Balan Melarkode, Basil Iwanyk, Boaz Davidson, Christa Campbell, Christopher Woodrow, Claiton R. Fernandes, Eda Kowan, Euzebio Munhoz Jr., Gareth West, Gisella Marengo, Guymon Casady, Jason Constantine, Jason Statham, Jeffrey Greenstein, Jon Feltheimer, Jonathan Yunger, K. Blaine Johnston, Kevin King-Templeton, Lati Grobman, Les Weldon, Lonnie Ramati, Matthew O'Toole, Michael S. Constable, Paula Crickard, Robert Earl, Robert Van Norden, Sagiv Diamant, Simeon Vasilev, Spenser Cohen, Steven Paul, Trevor Short, Victor Hadida, Vladimir D. Fernandes, Vessela Banzourkova, Yanko Ushatov and Yariv Lerner
Screenplay: Dave Callaham (based on characters created by David Callaham), Kurt Wimmer (screenplay / story), Max Adams (screenplay), Spenser Cohen (story) and Tad Daggerhart (screenplay / story)
Composer: Guillaume Roussel
Make-up and Hair Department: Alice Shopova (Key Make-up Artist: second unit Bulgaria), Anita Hvarleva (Make-up Artist and Hair: second unit Greece), Anna Cichon (Art finisher: Millennium FX), Anna Ivanova (Make-up Artist and Hair), Annelise Levy (Make-up Artist and Hair), Anthony Parker (Art finisher: Millennium FX), Billie McKenzie (Make-up Artist and Hair), Bistra Kechidzhieva-Kuncheva (Make-up Artist and Hair: Greece), Camille Delattre (3D technician: Millennium FX), Cassie Antmann (Make-up Artist and Hair), Chatzoglou Eirini (Make-up Artist: 2nd unit), Christine Nicklin-Rivett (Make-up Artist and Hair), Christopher Goodman (Sculptor: Millennium FX), Clarissa Luna (Make-up Artist: Ms. Megan Fox), Cliff Wallace (Art finisher: Millennium FX), Daniela Avramova (Make-up designer and Hair / Make-up head of department and Hair: third unit Bulgaria), Desislava Manasieva (Make-up Artist and Hair: second unit Greece)
Dimitrina Stoyanova (Make-up Artist and Hair: second unit Greece), Erifylli Katrantsioti (Make-up trainee and Hair: second unit Greece), Fionagh Cush (Make-up Artist and Hair: Sylvester Stallone), Gerri Kitenge (Make-up Artist and Hair), Hildegunn Strømseng (Art finisher: Millennium FX), Ivayla Stancheva (Key Make-up Artist and Key Hair stylist: Czech Republic / Key Hair stylist: second unit Bulgaria), Jaqueline Grima (Hair consultant), Jess Doyle (Make-up Artist and Hair), Jimmy Mann (Mould technician: Millennium FX), Jocelyn Bennett-Snewin (Art finisher: Millennium FX), Kate Walshe (Prosthetic Make-up producer: Millennium FX), Kristina Zlateva (Make-up Artist and Hair: Greece), Kristine Nilsen (Art finisher: Millennium FX), Laura Howard (Art finisher: Millennium FX), Lionel Jones (Barber: Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson), Loren Clark (Fabricator: Millennium FX), Lucia Tsappis (Make-up Artist and Hair), Martina Sandelin (Art finisher: Millennium FX), Martina Skokova (Administration: Millennium FX), McGrory Emily (Mould technician: Millennium FX), Michael Rosati (Art finisher: Millennium FX), Niamh Glynn (Hair stylist: Ms. Megan Fox / Key hair stylist / Key hair stylist: second unit Greece / Personal hair stylist: Ms. Megan Fox Greece), Neill Gorton (Prosthetic Make-up designer: Millennium FX), Paul Pattison (Make-up Artist and Hair: Jason Statham), Rachel Gatt (Project coordinator: Millennium FX), Rebecca Cain (Art finisher: Millennium FX), Rena Chatzoglou (Make-up Artist and Hair: second unit Greece), Rob Mayor (Prosthetic Make-up designer: Millennium FX), Sara Clark (Make-up Artist and Hair), Sharna Rothwell (Project supervisor: Millennium FX), Sienna Powloski (Make-up Artist and Hair), Sofi Hvarleva (Key Make-up and Hair: second unit Greece), Stephanie Hovette (Art finisher: Millennium FX), Tim Quinton (Mould technician: Millennium FX) and William Brown (Mould technician: Millennium FX)
Costume Design: Neil McClean
Cinematography: Tim Maurice-Jones, B.S.C. (Director of Photography)
Special Effects: Bence Füredi (Motion Base Crew), Brechje Hoogers (Special Effects Coordinator), Csaba Bagossy (Special Effects Technician), Danny Hargreaves (Special Effects Supervisor), Dominic Blake (Special Effects Floor Supervisor), Efthymios Rafail Gourgouris (Armourer), Emyr Lewis (Special Effects Technician), Georgi Karadjov (Special Effects Supervisor), Ivo Jivkov (Special Effects Supervisor: Bulgaria), Jared Manley (Special Effects Senior Technician), Joe Patti (Special Effects Lead Technician), John Schoonraad (Special Effects Dummy), Lister Morris (Special Effects Technician), Luke Rutter (Special Effects Senior Technician), Owen James (Special Effects Technician Action Vehicles), Simon Oakes (Explosives Engineer), Tamas Uzoni (Motion Base Crew), Tom Goodman (Explosives Engineer), Tom Scouse Lock (Special Effects Technician) and Zina Lefkou (Special Effects Office Coordinator)
Visual Effects: Ajdin Durakovic (Visual effects artist), Albert Testani (Visual effects producer: Alps Studios SRL), Alexandru Barbieru (Visual effects 3d generalist), Aleksandar Babic (Cg artist), Angel Jakjimoski (Digital artist) (uncredited), Antonio Mircheski (Cg artist), Arthur Gallindo (Digital compositor), Bert Steyaert (Visual effects pipeline supervisor), Bogdan Nedkov (Digital compositor), Bogomila Ivanova (Visual effects 3d environment artist), Carlo Orlandi (Digital compositor), Cátia Pereira (Digital compositor), Chris Van Osselaer (Visual effects producer: Flow Postproduction), Christopher Banasko (Lead visual effects artist), Daniel Freitas (Digital compositor), Daniel Larrosa (Lead FX artist: Worldwide FX London), Danilo Zivkovic (FX td), Dario Borra (FX artist: Alps Studios SRL), David Cvetkovski (Visual effects coordinator / Visual effects producer), Denitsa Baycheva (FX artist: Worldwide FX / Matchmove artist: Worldwide FX), Desislava Pavlova (Visual effects coordinator), Dushan Dimitrovski (Animation artist), Edgar Karapetyan (Lead visual effects 3d artist: Gentle Giant Studios), Ellie Knaggs (Visual effects line producer: Axis Studios), Emerson Bonadias (Visual effects supervisor), Filip Cherkezov (Data wrangler / Matchmove artist: Worldwide FX), Filip Lumakovski (Cg artist) (uncredited), Filippo Robino (Visual effects supervisor: Alps Studios SRL), Francisco Paim (Cg supervisor), George Port (Tracking artist), Germano Piana (Visual effects line producer: Alps Studios SRL), Gjorgi Malzarkov (Matchmove artist), Gordana Krsteva (Digital compositor), Henry Melo (Visual effects artist), Hossein Moayed (Compositor), Hristijan Dimitrovski (Matchmove / Roto artist), Hugh Smith (Compositing artist) (uncredited), Irina Lazarova (Visual effects coordinator), Ivan Arsic (Digital compositor), Ivaylo Paskalev (Digital artist), Iveta Ivanova (Matchmove artist: Worldwide FX), Ivica Gjorgjevski (Matchmove artist), Jan Daghelinckx (Visual effects supervisor: Flow), Jhonnatan Alejandro Niño (Digital compositor), Jivko Ivanov (Visual effects photogrammetry supervisor). Karen Elliott (Compositor), Katerina Kalinska (Visual effects producer), Kirtan Singh Taak (Compositor), Kosta Anovski (Compositor), Krasimir Rizov (Visual effects storyboard artist), Laurent De Greef (Digital compositor), Lee Fisher (Digital compositor: Axis Studios), Leonardo Paolini (Visual effects 2d supervisor), Ludovico Deledda (Visual effects systems administrator: Alps Studios SRL), Mara Fröhlich (Visual effects head of production/Visual effects producer: Alps Studios SRL), Marco Di Valentin (Compositing lead: Alps Studios SRL), Marco Provitina (FX artist: Alps Studios SRL), Maria Popova (Digital compositor), Mariano Melman Carrara (Visual effects producer), Mario Naumovski (Cg artist), Martin Avramovski (Cg artist), Michele Greco (Visual effects coordinator: Alps Studios SRL), Milad.Savar (Senior FX artist), Misho Ristov (Visual effects supervisor), Mladen Joksic (Cg artist), Monika Zhelevska (Digital compositor), Natalija Radovanovic (Digital compositor), Nick Peshunoff (Lead visual effects project manager: Worldwide FX), Nikol Manolova (Visual effects lighting artist), Nikolay Mishonov (Head of FX animation), Oscar Robinson-Coldwell (Visual effects coordinator: Peerless), Osmaner Tasdiken (FX td), Pamela Gianella (Visual effects production secretary: Alps Studios SRL), Pavlina Petrova (Visual effects concept artist: Worldwide FX), Petar Minov (Visual effects editor), Petya Dimova (Digital compositor), Pietro Orlandi (Digital compositor), Rade Radevski (Cg artist), Radoslav Misarokov (Lead visual effects project manager) Roberto Manca (Visual effects lighting artist: Alps Studios SRL), Roberto Sollazzo (Cg lead: Alps Studios SRL), Sachindra Tiwari (Senior compositor: Axis Studios), Samuele Deiana (Visual effects compositor: Alps Studios SRL), Sandra Perchaklieva (Visual effects), Silviya Mariyanova (Visual effects project manager: Worldwide FX), Srdjan Latinovic (Digital compositor), Svetoslav Mitev (Visual effects coordinator), Tanja Topuzovska Bogojevska (Visual effects producer), Tiana Mitovska (Matchmove artist), Uzun Ergin (Visual effects nuke artist), Velislava Mihailova (Compositor), Venelin Dinkov (Visual effects art director), Veselina Georgieva (Visual effects supervisor), Vladimir Pavlovski (Compositing and paint artist) (credit only), Vladimir Vatev (Digital compositor), Yulian Velkov (On-set visual effects data wrangler) and Zdravko Zdravkov (Visual effects technical support: Worldwide FX)
Image Resolution: 1080p
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1
Audio: English: 7.1 Dolby TrueHD Audio
English: 2.0 Dolby Digital Stereo Audio
Spanish: 2.0 Dolby Digital Stereo Audio
French: 2.0 Dolby Digital Stereo Audio
English: 2.0 Dolby Digital Stereo Audio Descriptive
Subtitles: English, Spanish and French
Running Time: 103 minutes
Region: Region B/2
Number of discs: 1
Studio: LIONSGATE
Andrew’s Blu-ray Review: With the film ‘EXPEND4BLES’ [2023] a new generation joins the world’s top action stars for an adrenaline-fueled adventure. Jason Statham as Lee Christmas and Sylvester Stallone as Barney are back, leading the irreverent and indestructible team of elite mercenaries who laugh in the face of death. Armed with every weapon they can get their hands on and the skills to use them, the Expendables are the world’s last line of defence and the team that gets called when all other options are off the table.
NEW BLOOD: The core team is buttressed by some new blood with equally unique styles and tactics – but with the same Expendables-style attitude – are Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson as Easy Day, Megan Fox as Gina, Tony Jaa as Decha, Iko Uwais as Rahmat, Jacob Scipio as Galan, Levy Tran as Lash, and Andy Garcia as Marsh come aboard the global franchise. The Expendables films are celebrated as a kind of “Avengers” of action, with the world’s biggest action stars coming together to create an explosive mix of thrills, camaraderie, loyalty, and teamwork.
THE MISSION: They’re new mission finds them headed to a secret base adjacent to Libya’s nuclear weapon program. They’re on the hunt for a pitiless arms dealer, Rahmat [Iko Uwais], and his private army, which has stolen detonators to a nuclear device that could start World War III. When Christmas goes off mission to help a comrade, Rahmat makes a narrow escape, taking the detonators with him. As the team regroups, they set off on their most fateful journey to stop Rahmat and uncover the high-level operative he’s serving.
ACTION: Director Scott Waugh embraced collaborating with his cast to bring these thrills to life. “The most fun on this franchise is working with actors who are themselves action icons,” he notes. “We really wanted to raise the bar by getting back to the roots of the original Expendables, while adding some new characters and even more wild scenarios. So, it’s a blend of getting back to the franchise’s roots while taking the action to the next level.”
Reigning badass Lee Christmas [Jason Statham] has an ex-girlfriend, Gina [Megan Fox], the two of whom like beating each other up as foreplay, which may be why they broke up and I am glad he did. When Lee Christmas gets bounced out of the Expendables for an infraction, Gina, a CIA operative, takes over his leadership position — and I can’t say that she’s particularly convincing in that role. Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson is on hand, clipped and likable but reminding you why his big-screen crossover career never quite panned out, and so is Antonio Banderas look-alike Jacob Scipio as Galan, the son of Antonio Banderas’s Galgo.
The heart of an “Expendables” movie should be the interplay between Sylvester Stallone and Jason Statham, and the two get their ball-busting session in a couple of early scenes in the film, when Sylvester Stallone as Barney Ross is trying to retrieve his heavy-metal death ring from some stooge who won it in a bet. Sylvester Stallone and Jason Statham take on a bar full of refrigerated-size goons and defeat them as if they were swatting flies.
On the plus side, there are some welcome doses of humour, however lame; the chemistry between Sylvester Stallone and Jason Statham remains strong, making it a shame that Sylvester Stallone is barely in the movie; and Sylvester Stallone has stated that this will be his last film in the “Expendables” franchise and that is why we see something very tragic happens to Sylvester Stallone while piloting a massive transport aeroplane.
Director Scott Waugh is an effective enough director of action when he can hold the camera still, Jason Statham does everything he can, and it is a really good call for this franchise to return to its R-rated roots. Whenever the story is focused on Lee Christmas, and for me it is totally on sheer Jason Statham appeal, of which there is plenty. There is a rather tense set-piece aboard an ocean freighter that almost solely centres on Lee Christmas, and this is easily the most enjoyable scene of the film and of course the actor Jason Statham was the one person who held this film together in the way the actor always does and without the actor Jason Statham the film would have been a total disaster. Director Scott Waugh could have used a few more of these elaborate set-pieces. On the plus side, there is something recognisable about the ‘EXPEND4BLES’ and the film is harking back to the old action classic movies, and there’s something comforting about the familiarity of it all. It’s very, very easy to just zone out and enjoy, on a real base level. But the fact of the matter is, all in all, I really enjoyed ‘EXPEND4BLES.’ But the most negative aspect of the film is the lame actress Megan Fox who should have been bumped off at the very start of the film.
EXPEND4BLES MUSIC TRACK LIST
EVERY TIME (Written by Sertac Nidai)
BACKBONE (Live at Breiðarmerkurjökull) (Written by Jökull Juliusson) [Performed by Kaleo]
HYPNOTIZED (Written by Devin Jay Hoffman and Michael Joshua Avenaim) [Performed by Devin Jay Hoffman and Michael Joshua Avenaim]
Quintet in E Major (Written by Luigi Boccherini) [Arranged by Thomas Howe]
(Don't Fear) THE REAPER (Written by Donald Roeser)
TAKE IT EASY (Written by Eden Prince and Clementine Douglas) [Performed by Eden Prince and Clementine Douglas]
BIGCITYBOY (Written by Binz) [Performed by Binz feat. Touliver]
P.I.M.P. (Written by Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, Brandon Parrott and Mr. Porter aka Denaun Porter) [Performed by Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson]
COMING IN HOT (Written by Andrew Dixon, Brian Dennis and Christopher Ayer) [Performed by Lesser Villains]
THE BOYS ARE BACK IN TOWN (Written by Phil Lynott) [Performed by Thin Lizzy]
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Blu-ray Image Quality – LIONSGATE presents us the film ‘THE EXPEND4BLES’ with a wonderful vivid and bold image and is shown in the 2.39:1 aspect ratio. There is lots of very good colour, emanating from some excellent contrast in the frame. It features strong depth and very fine texture and detail throughout the film. Depth of field is strong with very good pushback showcasing lots of space in shootouts and fight sequences with good movement that is natural and smooth and definitely no issues of blur or jitter from any of the rapid camera or actor movements. Blacks are deep and natural but also help to well define some of the darkened interiors here. There is good use of contrast as well as shadow, maintaining much all of the information present. Colours are strong and quite bold. Even the more natural rustic ones have a good colour to them. The 1080p image helps out in getting good contrast with the blacks, display lights, sparks, fire, car/motorcycle lights, and neon displays. Skin tones look natural and consistent from start to finish. Facial features and textures are also looking really good. Please Note: Playback Region B/2: This will not play on most Blu-ray players sold in North America, Central America, South America, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Southeast Asia. Learn more about Blu-ray region specifications.
Blu-ray Audio Quality – LIONSGATE brings us the film EXPEND4BLES’ that features an awesome mind blowing 7.1 Dolby TrueHD Audio and provides a volume of loud and amazing rampaging audio track experience set to some extreme action of combat with loud gunfire, engines and massive of explosions. The audio mix is done very well with an effective heightened reality in any given environment throughout the film where you get some very good ambiance building up and absolutely hits with maximum impact with gunfire, explosions, banging, crashing, glass shattering, fists connecting and much more. From around the room you get plenty of good audio tracking to angle changes and off-screen activity. Sound travels with good, rolling power and room/environment building to very good sound effects, and on top of all that vocals are very clear and exceptionally crisp.
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Blu-ray Special Features and Extras:
Special Feature: Audio Commentary with Scott Waugh [Audio only] [2023] [1080p] [2.39:1] [93:26] With this featurette, we get to hear from director Scott Waugh and is here to talk in-depth about the film ‘EXPEND4BLES’ and of course when the film starts Director Scott Waugh introduces himself and is here to do talk in-depth about the film ‘EXPEND4BLES’ and informs us that he was very keen to come on board with the Expendables franchise and especially when he got a call to ask to direct the film ‘EXPEND4BLES’ and was even keener to know that he would be working close with the iconic action actors Sylvester Stallone and Jason Statham and as well with the new Expendables actors who was going to be in this fourth Expendable’s film franchise and talks about the action sequence at the start of the film, and that they were shot in multiple locations and even though it was complicated filming, we all had a really great time filming these massive action packed sequences for the ‘EXPEND4BLES’ film. Director Scott Waugh says the actor Iko Uwais who plays the madman character Rahmat was not the first choice for the role in the film, but Scott Waugh was really pleased and very excited that the actor Iko Uwais was finally chosen to play the evil madman character Rahmat and Scott Waugh felt that the actor Jason Statham would be really good against the actor Iko Uwais near the end of the film as Scott Waugh knew these two actors would be in a really good massive action fight sequence near the end of the film in being great fighters. Scott Waugh also says that he was so glad that Sylvester Stallone would be working with Jason Statham together, and also thought Sylvester Stallone was one of the most iconic action hero for the silver screen of all time, and Scott Waugh says that on the first days shoot and Sylvester Stallone walked onto the set, he felt it was like a childhood dream, because again he feels the actor is such a legend and Scott Waugh had such respect for the actor, especially with all the icon films Sylvester Stallone has appeared in. As we go through the audio commentary, Scott Waugh talks in-depth about all the main actors that appear in the film and especially what countries they come from. At chapter 3, Scott Waugh talks about the scene where all the Expendables meet up in one location and especially talks about the actor Dolph Lundgren and wanting to wear a blond wig for his character and we don’t really find out why. Scott Waugh says he was really cool about the person Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson was hired to be one of the newer Expendables team. Now Scott Waugh starts talking about the different locations we see in the film that he feels the structure element of the film with all the violent action sequences with the actors really enhanced the film, which he knows the audiences really love about these Expendable films. Scott Waugh says he was really very pleased with Jason Statham and the way he vehicles so violent and very fast, which he found very smart. At chapter 9, Scott Waugh talks about the Expendables sky diving and landing onto the massive ship and Scott Waugh says he did not want to do this with CGI computers and actually wanted the actors to do real sky diving because he wanted it to look totally realistic and to be part of the action. At chapter 13, Scott Waugh talks about the dramatic action scene on the massive ship where each Expendable character has a special skill of killing the enemy and feels it is totally unique, but feels Jason Statham is so efficient in killing the enemy. At chapter 14, you see nearly all of the Expendable characters escaping the massive ship and sliding down onto the rescue boat and feels these actors are brilliant because they can do their own stunts, and Scott Waugh says he wonders why Jason Statham does not want to escape and we think that actor wants to kill off his character, but of course this does not happen and of course you will have to watch the film to find out what happens to Jason Statham’s character, and Scott Waugh wanted a really spectacular explosive sequence with the massive ship that has that nuclear bomb about to go off, and Scott Waugh the scenes with the clock on the nuclear bomb ticking down to zero to the final massive spectacular gigantic explosion. But at chapter 15, we get to see Jason Statham is finally rescued by his long time hero just before the massive ship blows up and again you will have to watch the film to find out who that person that has recused Jason Statham to safety. As the end credits appear, Scott Waugh says, “there you have it folks, and you might be lucky to see ‘Expendables 5’ in the not too distant future.” Scott Waugh also says that he hopes you enjoyed my audio commentary, and Scott Waugh also says, “This is Scott Waugh signing out.” At that point this audio commentary comes to an end.
Special Feature: Bigger, Bolder, Badder: The Expendables in Action [2022] [1080p] [1.78:1 / 2.39:1] [16:57] With this featurette, we get to view a massive amount of behind-the scene filming of the film ‘EXPEND4BLES’ where we get to see the cast and crew in some dramatic scenes and especially some very explosive footage, and we also get to view some really crucial scenes in the 2023 ‘EXPEND4BLES’ film. We also get to hear comments from the cast and crew on their feelings about the characters in the film and how they wanted them to perform in the ‘EXPEND4BLES’ film and especially with the massive action sequences in the film and they did not want it all done with CGI computers. Contributors include: Les Weldon [Producer], Jacob Scipio [Galan], Scott Waugh [Director], Rob Van Norden [Executive Producer], Randy Couture [Toll Road], Martin Gordon [Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson Stunt Double], Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson [Easy Day], Danny Hargreaves [Special Effects Supervisor], Kevin King-Templeton [Producer] and Robbie Madison [Jason Statham Motorcycle Double].
Special Feature: More Than A Team: New Blood Meets Old Blood [2023] [1080p] [2.39:1 / 1.78:1] [19:07] With this featurette, they talk about bringing the old Expendable actors with the new Expendable actors to work together to stop the madman blowing up and destroying the world with the nuclear bomb. Again we get to view lots of clips from the 2023 ‘EXPEND4BLES’ film and also lots of behind-the scene filming of the film ‘EXPEND4BLES.’ We also find out that when the actors were sent the script they realised it was once again going to be an over the top action movie and definitely no CGI computers for those action sequences in the film and that is why the main Expendable actors were keen to be in the film, but most of all, all of the main actors had a great time filming the ‘EXPEND4BLES’ and also had a great deal of laughs. Director Scott Waugh wanted the actor Jason Statham to be the main leading actor in the movie ‘EXPEND4BLES.’ Contributors include: Dolph Lundgren [Gunner], Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson [Easy Day], Rob Van Norden [Executive Producer], Kevin King-Templeton [Producer], Jacob Scipio [Galan], Les Weldon [Producer], Randy Couture [Toll Road], Megan Fox [Gina], Levy Tran [Lash] and Tony Jaa [Decha].
Special Feature: US R-Rated Trailer [2023] [1080p] [2.39:1] [1:52] With this featurette, we get to view an extremely violent R-Rated American Theatrical Trailer for the film ‘EXPEND4BLES.’
Finally, ‘EXPEND4BLES’ [2023] for me is a movie I really love, and despite all the negative reaction to it, I am still a massive big fan of this Expendables movie franchise and I have done Blu-ray reviews of the other three previous Expendables movies. All in all, these movies are just a lot of great fun, but all also very brutal action movies and have moments that we hear very cheesy dialogue and sometimes very cringe worthy, but that's part of the beauty of the Expendables movie franchise. These aren't movies meant to be taken too seriously, whether intentional or not. ‘EXPEND4BLES’ had some great fighting as always and Jason Statham shines brighter than ever. This had some really intense scenes both dramatic and action packed fighting sequences as well as goofy moments that made me just burst out laughing! ‘EXPEND4BLES’ is a beautiful homage to 1980’s action movies and is also a great action-comedy movie and I would happily go and watch ‘EXPEND4BLES’ a few more times especially at the cinema. Technical merits on this Blu-ray disc are pretty high standards and especially wonderful looking image and a very good and amazing impacting audio track to make the viewing experience 100% top notch. The extra special features are pretty solid also considering what a quick kill this ‘EXPEND4BLES’ was at the box office. Fans will probably want to have ‘EXPEND4BLES’ in their Blu-ray Expendables collection. But most of all, Jason Statham always works well in any action movie as usual. Sylvester Stallone is in his element, although it would be better if he was a little bit more in the film. Iko Uwais is not bad as the villain and he is a good addition to the film. Andy Garcia is also a good choice for this movie. The rest of the team are equally good with a few exceptions; and some should have maybe gotten a little more time in the movie. So all in all, ‘EXPEND4BLES’ was a really amazing rollercoaster ride of an all action movie and I am so very glad it is now in my Blu-ray collection. Highly Recommended!
Andrew C. Miller – Your Ultimate No.1 Film Aficionado
Le Cinema Paradiso
United Kingdom
