THE proverb states “too many cooks spoil the broth” but as far as The Expendables is concerned “the more the merrier” is much more apt.
Take as many Hollywood action stars as you can squeeze on a screen, give them a Sylvester Stallone script and add explosions, car chases, gun fights, harbour attacks and burning buildings.
You will undoubtedly soon find yourself asking “how is this possible?”.
Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Mickey Rourke, Dolph Lundgren, Bruce Willis and Governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger all star in this special effects extravaganza.
Lundgren, a former member of the Swedish military and son of an Army officer, took time out from his tough martial arts schedule to talk Soldier through this summer’s must-see movie.
“Stallone called me and said ‘Hey Dolph, I’ve got this script I want you to read and check out the characters’. I read three pages and knew I liked it,” said the 6ft 4in Swede.
“The list of names just keeps going. Originally I think Stallone had two or three guys then it just kept growing – the more people he got the more other actors wanted to be part of it. It’s pretty amazing when Arnold Schwarzenegger shows up.”
Aside from the stellar cast and wall-to-wall muscle-fest, the film oozes a tongue-in-cheek coolness, with Tool (Mickey Rourke) as resident tattooist in a motorcycle garage and warplane pilots clinking beers while flying.
Humour plays a major part in the movie, with some unexpected comedic moments coming from actors usually better-associated with crushing skulls.
“Right away Stallone told me that my character is funny even though he is kind of crazy and over-the-top,” said Lundgren.
“He wanted to do it in a funny way so that you laugh even though the character may do something nuts.”
The fight scenes – utlising every kind of weapon – are up there with the best and Lundgren said that real punches were landed while filming.
“Jet Li smacked me a couple of times and that hurt,” said the blonde colossus.
“You do have fake hits but if there’s a slow-mo close-up you’ve got to get hit to show the impact.”
Lundgren is aware of his target audience and voiced his appreciation to lovers of the genre which has served him for 25 years.
“Soldiers are obviously a huge market for us as they are super action fans and have great collections – I can never believe how much they still watch,” he explained
The man who played the legendary Ivan Drago in Rocky IV was full of admiration for British Service personnel.
“I’m impressed that soldiers are doing the job – somebody has to do it and I’m glad there are guys out there who are willing to,” he said.
“If you step into the ring you know you are going to get hurt and in the military it’s probably the same kind of attitude.”
The father-of-two went on to compare the movie world with the live action on operations.
“I am humbled by the guys who do the real thing,” he added.
“Hollywood is not real and we should look up to you guys, not the other way round.”
They may not be able to hold a candle to the exploits of the genuine article, but Hollywood’s wannabe soldiers certainly make an all-guns-blazing attempt.
The Expendables is released in cinemas across the country on August 19.
