First reactions land for Expendables 4 ahead of cinema release

Expendables 4, officially titled Expend4bles, shoots into cinemas this Friday (September 22) and the first reactions have finally arrived for the action sequel.

The new movie brings back Sylvester Stallone's Barney Ross as he leads his team on another deadly mission to save the world. This time, a terrorist (The Raid's Iko Uwais) is after some detonators for a nuclear missile, and only the Expendables can stop him.

Expendables fans will be hoping that the new movie is a step up from the third movie, widely considered the worst of the trilogy.

So does Expend4bles mark a successful return for Barney and co?

50 cent, megan fox, dolph lundgren, jacob scipio, andy garcia, the expendables 4
Lionsgate

"Expend4bles has a turgid first hour, before the strong final act remembers that the series works best when it's having fun – and when Jason Statham is being as Cockney as possible," wrote Digital Spy's movies editor Ian Sandwell.

CinemaBlend's Eric Eisenberg said on Twitter/X: "Ever wonder what the rock bottom nadir of a franchise looks like? Prepare to be stunned by the awfulness of Expend4bles. It has the aesthetics of a 1995 Direct-To-Video movie, and simply describing story/plot developments sounds like mockery. An embarrassment for all involved."

Conversely, Rama's Screen added: "EXPEND4BLES was crazy nonsensical fun! It packed a punch! Back to good ol' rock 'em sock 'em gritty hard-R explosive action that was wildly entertaining."

Here's what more critics have been saying:

Expend4bles could mark Stallone's final outing as Barney Ross, as he revealed in a set video that he was stepping away from the series.

"It's time to be moving on. This will be my last day, so I'm enjoying it but it's always bittersweet," he said.

"When something you've been so attached to, I guess it's been about 12 years, and I'm ready to pass the baton on to Jason [Statham] and his capable hands."

sylvester stallone, the expendables 4
Lionsgate

We're sure there's a way they can tempt Stallone back if the new movie is a success, though.

Expend4bles is released in cinemas on September 22.

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