Jason Statham fans who panned The Expendables 3 a decade ago are due for a rewatch in 2024. Released on August 15, 2014, The Expendables 3 is a ludicrous action extravaganza with full awareness of its purpose and audience. While it may not rank among great films, the last ten years have allowed ample room for fans to overcome "Sequelitis" and appreciate the movie for what it is, especially following the franchise's lackluster fourth entry released this year.
Critics at the time panned The Expendables 3 to the tune of a 35 Metascore. Nonetheless, the film managed to gross over $200 million internationally, though it struggled domestically, bringing in only $39.3 million against its estimated $80 million budget (via The Numbers). Now, with the film celebrating its 10th anniversary, reappraising The Expendables 3 seems quite logical.
What Is 'The Expendables 3' About? The Expendables 3 is directed by Patrick Hughes and stars numerous action legends from the '80s and '90s. Jason Statham portrays Lee Christmas, the second-in-command to Sylvester Stallone's Barney Ross. The plot revolves around Barney settling old scores against Expendables founder Conrad Stonebanks (played by Mel Gibson), who is hell-bent on wiping out the team. To bolster their ranks, Barney embraces his age and brings on new recruits, including U.S. Marine John Smilee (Kellan Lutz), bouncer Luna (Ronda Rousey), and hacker Thorn (portrayed by Glen Powell). Their mission sees the team jet-setting across the globe, tackling Stonebanks' henchmen with action scenes and explosive sequences, which do not require much thought to enjoy.
Though there was some fatigue with the franchise back in 2014 due to the release of three films within four years, the latest viewing opportunities now seem more promising. The The Expendables 3 global box office performance was significantly stronger than its domestic showing. Opening on August 15, 2014, it grossed around $33 million within its first week, especially following its release overseas (via The Numbers). One of the glaring reasons for its domestic mediocrity was the film leaking online three weeks before it hit theaters. Additional factors included the PG-13 rating intended to attract younger audiences but instead alienated the hardcore R-rated demographic the first two films had captured.
Despite all this, general audiences embraced the film for what it delivered: mindless entertainment packed with quippy one-liners. The Expendables 3 boasts a solid 6.1 IMDb score and holds an A- CinemaScore grade, indicating it’s more fun than critics would suggest. The film may not resurrect the action genre, yet numerous detractors seem to have softened their stances about it by 2024.
Looking back, The Expendables 3 stands out more favorably ten years post-release. One contributing reason relates to the passage of time and growing distance from earlier franchise entries. By 2014, audiences appeared numb to the third installment of another geriatric action movie—a continuous trend. Fast forward to today, and the sequel fatigue associated with the film has dissipated.
Mel Gibson’s presence is another factor shifting public perception. The actor faced significant backlash around 2014, but he has since made amends and reinstated his status within the Hollywood community. Since The Expendables 3, Gibson has returned to directing with successful projects like Hacksaw Ridge and has starred in numerous films, revitalizing his career.
Also noteworthy is Glen Powell’s early appearance as Thorn—his character as the hacker, mountain climber, and drone pilot. Powell's cardiovascular charisma and potential were not as recognizable back then, but now, with films like Top Gun: Maverick under his belt, fans eagerly point out how his star power shines through, enhancing the revisit potential for previous works.
For fans of Jason Statham, The Expendables 3 brings Lee Christmas back for another action-fueled adventure. His camaraderie with Wesley Snipes, who plays Doc, delivers numerous memorable moments. Statham remains the standout hero, directing even basic actions (whether with heavy artillery or hand-to-hand combat) to exhilarating effect. With distant time filtering out the negativity from 2014, this entry shines anew.
Back then, The Expendables 3 seemed like another unnecessary sequel. Fast-forwarding ten years suggests it’s not as expendable as once thought. Jason Statham fans, along with action fanatics, may find themselves thoroughly entertained today.
The Expendables 3 is available to stream on Pluto TV.