The Expendables 2

Release Date: Aug 17, 2012 

Runtime: 1 hr. 43 min. 

Director: Simon West 

Cast: Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Terry Crews, Randy Couture, Dolph Lundgren, Liam Hemsworth, Jet Li, Chuck Norris, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Bruce Willis, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Yu Nan, Scott Adkins.

There was a time when action heroes were all brawn and force. When superpowers were trivial, and ammunition was the method of choice. These were the glory days of the 80's and 90's, marking the star beginnings of some actors, and the contingent end for others. Then came "The Expendables," a collection of the biggest, toughest combatants around, united for one purpose only: death and destruction. Combining the likes of Stallone, Willis, and Schwarzenegger, it was no easy task, however momentary at that. But how does one top such greatness with something even greater? Add Chuck Norris, of course. Stallone and the boys are back for part two of their mercenary games. When one of their own gets taken unexpectedly, it's up to the gang to exact revenge against a lethal new adversary, played by none other than Jean-Claude Van Damme. In a rarity fit for Hollywood, legends unite for another rowdy round of guns and fists that you can only dream of. Van Damme and Norris join in, with the return of Willis and Schwarzenegger, for an all-out resurgence of nostalgia that's gratifying to say the least. Action upon action, "The Expendables 2" is precisely what it sells. Cheesy dialogue, check. Self-referential jokes, check. Colossal explosions and Stallone vs. Van Damme, check and check. It's nothing more, nothing less than mindless activity that keeps the engine running. Accordingly, the story is simple and arid, not meant for any deeper meaning. And half the fun is in deciphering the wordless mumbles by Stallone, who at least gets credit for doing his own stunts. It's the kind of film that know it's bad, that it's actually sort of good. But don't take my word for it, trust in Chuck Norris.

Rating: 3 stars

The Bourne Legacy

Release Date: Aug 10, 2012 

Runtime: 2 hr. 15 min. 

Director: Tony Gilroy 

Cast: Jeremy Renner, Edward Norton, Rachel Weisz, Joan Allen, Albert Finney.

Jason Bourne was the CIA's top kept secret. Calculative and efficient, he was their greatest asset, until the day he lost his memory and turned on the agency that created him. Thus began the game of cat and mouse, ultimately serving as the catalyst for a lucrative franchise, as well the motive behind the current spin-off. But can it still be considered a 'Bourne' film without its titled hero? "Legacy" attempts to do so. Previous scribe, Tony Gilroy, goes behind the lens for the 4th installment of the action-packed series. His familiarity with the territory proves beneficial, as consistency is key in setting up the foundation. Replacing Matt Damon's ubiquitous Bourne is Jeremy Renner as the pharmaceutically-enhanced Aaron Cross: Faster, stronger and more perceptive, Cross is the next breed of operatives spearheaded by the CIA. But when the agency fails once again to cover up its tracks, it spawns a new enemy that is as deadly as the last. If that all sounds too familiar, it's because it is. Renner's character, while new and improved, is almost the exact replica of Damon's...at least in the physical sense. He fights like a killing machine, and does so with a dose of empathy, but lacks the vigor that Damon so accurately possessed. As "Ultimatum" did with "Supremacy" before it, the film dual-paths the story, taking place simultaneously along with Jason Bourne's discovery of Operation Blackbriar. For that reason, it's essential to be aware of the prior events, in order to follow the continuity of the plot without getting confused. Gilroy purposely injects an exuberance of Bourne references to get the ball rolling, though it eventually grows wearisome as it's clear that he's no longer in the picture. Likewise, the action level is noticeably subdued, detracting from the existing trilogy set by Liman and Greengrass. Overdrawn dialogue and medical terminology, instead, take up a good portion of the script, leaving little room for car chases and hand-to-hand combat. This includes the non-existent confrontation with the super agent that typically happens in any Bourne film. But like all quasi reboots, "Legacy" has room for expansion. The further the conspiracy thread is pulled, the more it's inclined to unravel. Aaron Cross will definitely be back to fight another day, with or without Jason Bourne.

Rating: 3 stars

Total Recall

Release Date: Aug 03, 2012 

Runtime: 1 hr. 49 min. 

Director: Len Wiseman 

Cast: Colin Farrell, Kate Beckinsale, Jessica Biel, Bryan Cranston, Bokeem Woodbine, Bill Nighy.

Tired of the same routine and looking for something more? Welcome to Rekall: where your wildest fantasies can become a reality. Based on the short story by Philip K. Dick comes the second adaptation set in the distant future. In 2084, the world is torn between the rich and the poor — The United Federation of Britain versus The Colony. Stuck in the everyday grind, factory worker, Douglas Quaid, seeks a source of escape, visiting Rekall for a memory implantation. But as circumstance would have it, he gets more than he bargained for, triggering his past recollection that was meant to be erased. Colin Farrell plays the mistaken Quaid, taking the place of Arnold Schwarzenegger who had starred back in his heyday. Having already had success in the last year with "Horrible Bosses" and "Fright Night," Farrell returns to the genre that jump-started his career. Yet, unlike Arnold who had a way of bolstering his presence in the film, Farrell seems to fade into the background, being heavily overpowered by his surroundings. This correlates with the assertion, 'style over substance,' which Director Len Wiseman is all too familiar with. In what could only be described as "Blade Runner" meets "The Fifth Element," Wiseman pulls out all the stops in offering up a dystopian world that's glossy and drab, all at the same time. Hovering crafts and planetary core traveling are just some of the brassy by-products of the special effects, while nifty camerawork livens up the action that comes at staccato clicks. It's what Wiseman knows best, and works well with, but it doesn't abate the fact that it's still a remake, turned reboot. Obvious resemblances aside, the suspense and ambiguity are what's adequately missing in a film that questions reality. Offbeat from the original which took place on Mars, the hidden objective behind this futuristic world has less urgency than before, thus less tendency for us to care. Also, whether it's the script or weak acting, there is recurrently awkward dialogue that feels misplaced. If there's a silver lining in redoing this classic, it's seeing Kate Beckinsale do some high-powered brawling. She's not just a pretty face to boost the ratings...though that probably wouldn't be such a bad idea considering how poorly the film debuted. Whilst "Total Recall" is a far inferior remake/reboot, it works as a standalone action flick with the minimalist of standards. Just enjoy the scenery because that's all you'll really remember.

Rating: 2½ stars