RIP Leonard Nimoy

1931-2015

The Expendables 3

Another franchise I have just recently caught up with; Expendables hits back with its difficult third album, and whilst I can appreciate what has led to this third film, I do wonder if they are recycling old all-out action fodder. Yet still Sly Stallone, Jason Statham, good old Arnie and the rest of the gang (along with a few new faces) return for another all guns blazing, old school action blockbuster. 

I did appreciate the first Expendables film for its sheer balls, grit, cast list and unabashed in your face knock out style with massive gunfights, fist fights and explosions. It really was quite something, and I believe those behind it succeeded in doing something no action film had quite done before. What's more I appreciated the sequel for being able to carry on those themes with broadly the same appeal, if without too much freshness.

Now with this third film, it seems to me the theory is just more of the same, with added overload.

If you loved the original Expendables formula, such as it was, then there is a lot to love here. Same iconic action cast, same raw (if decidedly one dimensional) characters, and same full blown adventure. Also we get the same lame excuse of a plot to thread through, the same lack of any real grit in terms of antagonists save one key figure (last time it was Jean-Claude Van Damme, this time it was Mel Gibson) and even less of  a blend of action and humour.

Yet as I say, the old Expendable stuff is still there to enjoy (if a bit frayed around the edges).

Sly Stallone still leads just well enough as Barney Ross, though more and more moments of incomprehensibility occur (though with Stallone that is always an issue). The aforementioned action still comes into play, and although the amount is a bit fantastical, the actual action content doesn't seem that unbelievable. Other old Expendables such as Jason Statham and Dolph Lundgren are still there, but their essential characters do seem to fade into the background somewhat. 

A couple of the old gags are present but again as said, the fun feel of the previous two films seems to have been drowned out in the action and spectacle overkill.

More so than the first sequel, a lot of new faces were piled into this film, and most played by well respected, talented and often legendary actors. Though each was allotted and thus gave a fraction of their potential, the additions were welcome. The new "youth" section of the Expendables was made a meal out of; too much so in my opinion. For one thing it detracts massively from what the Expendables were originally about and also there was not much presence at all. Spotlight on the youths was dominated (very intentionally and very unsubtley) by Kellan Lutz and Ronda Rousey, and sadly they did not have much to give at all.  

However in terms of the more senior new faces, things looked positive. Kelsey Grammar's extended cameo was nice to see, though you get the impression that any more than that and he would have fallen by the wayside. Harrison Ford was painfully clichéd as Max Drummer but his quality was still appreciated, and though I have never rated Wesley Snipes his new character of Doctor Death was quite oddly appealing. In terms of Expendable nemeses, Mel Gibson was definitely the best. Again, nowhere near what we know he is capable of, but dangerous, calculating and charismatic enough he just about was. My favourite new addition was certainly that of Antonio Banderas and his character of Galgo, the fast-moving, fast-talking, neurotic, people-pleasing ex Spanish soldier. Not only was he given the best share of the new character direction, origin and action, but his was the lion's share of the comedy which he delivered very well. If there is yet another Expendables sequel, I definitely want to see Antonio Banderas return.

So yes, if you were able to take the previous two films at face value and be happy with that, then Expendables 3 will do nothing but please you. I just feel that in trying to go constantly bigger and better, the Expendables team have sort of missed the point this time around; yes there is action, yes there is fighting and yes there is a majorly extensive cast list, but the Expendables originally delivered all this with a distinct sense of fun, and this just was not the case third time around. Take the fun away and I fear this film is in danger of just being a large scale action flick with not too much in the way of substance.

CLASSIC COMEDY - Count Arthur Strong

The only time I have mentioned in the CLASSIC COMEDY section a sitcom that is not strictly aged or classic and indeed quite modern, was back in May of last year with Ricky Gervais' Derek. Whilst I did and still do love the character and the show I conceded that, whilst the potential was certainly there, the status of Derek as a definitively classic piece of TV comedy could still be doubtful.

Now after two series, I have no doubt in my mind at all when it comes to the genius of Count Arthur Strong. To me, this is a man, a character and a show that is sheer laugh out loud wonder when it comes to comedy, and should be hailed as such.

On paper, the core of this show and of this remarkable character (created, written and brought to life by the brilliant Steve Delaney) should not work. A deluded and arrogant washed-up variety act who has developed a neurotic penchant for wildly over exaggerated situations and great tendency to mix his words up. Yes you can see how bits and pieces might be funny, but you would be forgiven for thinking that it could amount to nothing more than a few titters and a lot of awkward tragic silence.

And yet the conception and execution of Count Arthur Strong is such that one always feels safe in the hands of the Count, and once he has you sat comfortably he makes you ache with laughter.

To me, Steve Delaney's hard work, attention to detail and vision when it comes to Arthur is sublimely perfect. Without such he would not be able to throw this great character into such an array of situations week-by-week, some far-fetched and some not so, and still come out with awe-inspiring and often side-splitting hilarity. Yes for maybe the first episode you see Arthur Strong can be a bit off putting as a central character, but once you know his form and what to expect, you can just sit back and enjoy what he has to throw at you - which is almost always the work of comedic genius.

If I had one criticism of the show, it would be that the supporting cast are ever so slightly over-shadowed by this comedic tour de force. When the central character is so good, this is no real shame, but it would be nice to see a bit more of the supporting cast fleshed out, as opposed to their bare essentials being played off Count Arthur Strong.

As we have progressed into the second series (which ended brilliantly tonight, though my favourite episode has got to be the penultimate one of the series) this has got better certainly. Rory Kinnear's character of the quiet, shy and now long-suffering Michael has been done very well; often becoming a great counter part to Arthur. The characters of John and Eggy, whilst constant, haven't really been given that much to play with (though again more has been done with them as opposed to the first series) and the Bulent and Sinem characters have progressed too (even if it is just in a slightly two-dimensional fashion).

Yet with a supporting cast that is positively moving to back him up, brilliantly timed and written scripts, and sheer endless amounts of comic character, Steve Delaney's Arthur Strong is a joy to watch. In many ways this story reminds me of Brendan O'Carroll and Mrs. Brown's Boys; a man works tirelessly and with a lot of creative flair to make a success of a great character for years, and finally begins to enjoy prime time success. I am as happy for Delaney and Arthur as I am for O'Carroll and Agnes Brown. 

I adore the entire feel of Count Arthur Strong. Utterly hilarious in its genius, and genius in its levels of hilarity. I have loved the first two series, and I certainly hope we get to see more. Regardless, I have no compunction in saying that for me, Count Arthur Strong is truly and definitely a modern comedy classic.