The Expendables - 4-Film Collection

After Rocky and Rambo settled down for a while, Sylvester Stallone made several action films in the late '80s and '90s, becoming one of the biggest action stars in the world. Stallone and his colleagues had a ball making their unique versions of action on the big screen. In 2010, Stallone wrote, produced, directed, and starred in a new franchise film series called The Expendables which had himself and his other action film stars of the past few decades come together as a rag-tag group of mercenaries to save the world. That first film was net with big box office numbers and critical acclaim for its back-to-80s action roots and fun.

That started a sequel franchise of three more films that each bring in new big action stars each time around. It's Fast and Furious with older men from the Ronald Reagan era. There's not much to these movies below the surface. Still, when a movie has Stallone, Schwarzenegger, Willis, Lundgren, Snipes, Ford, Van Damme, 50 Cent, Jet Li, Tony Jaa, Hemsworth, Statham, Banderas, and Stone Cold Steve Austin - one listens and pays attention. These films are a blast for their energy, one-liners, and seeing these aging action stars still have a chance to beat the villains. Four films are in and they are still a ton of fun.

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Vital Disc Stats: The Blu-ray 

The Expendables 4 Film Collection blasts its way to Blu-ray + DVD + Digital code via Lionsgate in the form of a collectible art package. There are eight discs included here, four being the Blu-rays and the others being the DVDs. The eight Discs are housed in a spindle blue, plastic case with a hard cardboard case. There is an insert for a digital code for all four movies. The new artwork looks amazing It has a big skull with weapons all around it that are pink, blue, yellow, and metallic. The four lobby cards feature characters of the films that have artwork on both sides. 

All four films come with a 1080p HD transfer that looks great. These movies have all been released in 4K before, but their Blu-ray counterparts look wonderful. These Blu-ray discs look to be the same versions as the previous releases. The DVD discs are included as well. These films aren't exactly ruminating with bright colors, but inside the bar scenes, the neon signs pop vibrantly. The black levels are inky and the skin tones are natural. These movies look amazing still and get better as the years go by. The 4K releases look slightly better, especially the darker scenes, but these Blu-rays are mighty fine.

These four movies come with their respective audio tracks from their previous releases. The first movie comes with a great DTS-HD 7.1 audio mix which sounds amazing. It also comes with a French DTS-HD 5.1 track with English and Spanish subtitles.

The second film has a DTS-HD 7.1 audio option that is optimized for 11.1 Neo:X players, along with a 2.0 stereo option for those who watch this film after midnight for quiet hours. There is a Spanish Dolby Audio mix as well with English and Spanish Subtitles.

The Expendables 3 has a Dolby TrueHD Atmos option that goes bigger than the previous two films. There is a Spanish 5.1 audio tracks along with English and Spanish subtitles.

The most recent fourth movie comes with the real Dolby Atmos mix, along with both French and Spanish 5.1 Dolby tracks. Spanish and French subtitles accompany them. The audio tracks get better as the films go on, but those nuanced added options like the quiet hours track are pretty cool.

There are a ton of extras included in those sets, but nothing new. All of the original extras have been imported that includes audio commentary tracks, behind-the-scenes, interviews, and more.

The Expendables

• Audio Commentary – Stallone is alone on the commentary, but there's something about the guy that keeps you listening all the way until the end. You wouldn't think it by looking at him, but the man is one of the most thoughtful directors I've ever had the pleasure of listening to. He delves deep into not only how he made the movie, but why. He talks about his motivations, and what it's like working with certain actors. He shares how he likes to direct because he's been on both sides of the camera and he knows how actors want to be treated. He dives into a world of psychology here with his characters and describes what really motivates them and pushes them to be who they are. This commentary is a must-listen. Stallone knows what he's talking about, and takes great pride in what he's made.
• Inferno: The Making of The Expendables (HD, 92 min.) – By far this is one of the best, most intensive Making Of features out there. Nothing remotely promotional here. This is like a diary inside the mind of Stallone the filmmaker. It's a candid look behind the scenes as Stallone directs the movie. It covers day one to the last day of shooting. It shows the obstacles that had to be overcome, like Stallone's numerous injuries on set. It shows Stallone yelling instructions to his crew like a man on a mission. Really, it's just amazing to see him work. He's relentless. Stallone also narrates this feature, giving us even more insight into his thought process as a director. This making of is almost as enjoyable as the movie itself.
• From the Ashes: Post-production (HD, 26 min.) – Another making-of documentary that sheds light on how Stallone approaches the editing, sound mixing, and test screening process. I've never seen a special feature that included the questionnaires filled out by audience members at test screenings, but here that information is not only included, Stallone talks about how those suggestions helped make the film better. It shows him present as the original score is written, as the scenes are edited and as the sound is mixed. He's there every step of the way and it's just amazing to watch.
• Comic-Con 2010 Panel (HD, 46 min.) – Harry Knowles from Aint It Cool News hosts a panel for 'The Expendables' at Comic-Con. After watching the two making-of features this was a bit of a letdown. It's much more EPK, but still, Stallone offers insight into the movie and his thought process as a director. Plus if you were at Comic-Con, maybe you'll be able to pick yourself out in the crowd.
• Deleted Scene (HD, 1 min.) – Only one deleted scene here. It's more of an extended scene that was cut out at the beginning during the pirate scene. Dolph Lundgren tells a really bad, and mostly incomprehensible joke. I'm sure it was cut because of those two reasons.
• Gag Reel (HD, 5 min.) – Line flubs, and miscues. This is your standard gag reel. Most of the actors are already laughing and we don't know why. A few funny parts, but nothing you haven't seen a million times before.
• Marketing Archive (HD) – A theatrical trailer, a couple of TV spots, and a poster gallery are all contained here.
• Ultimate Recon: An Interactive Bonus View (HD) – This is a picture-in-picture option that plays along with the movie. It offers behind-the-scenes views of the sets that they used in each scene. It shows the crew at work creating the scene that you're seeing. Stallone's commentary is spliced in at certain segments and used to supplement the experience. There are also points where members of the crew show up and the movie shrinks into a little window as the crew member talks about certain subjects. The first of these is when one of the producers shows up and describes the time and effort that went into the shoot in New Orleans when Statham goes to his girlfriend's house.

The Expendables 2

• Audio Commentary – Simon West is the commentator here. Even though I was grateful to be done with Stallone's shaky-cam ways, I missed his presence in the director's commentary. The commentary on the first movie was extremely insightful. Full of Stallone's vision as a director, his methods for doing things, and his true love for making movies. Here West provides a rather anecdotal commentary that is neither as engaging nor perceptive as Stallone's commentary was.
• Gods of War: Assembling Earth's Mightiest Anti-Heroes (HD, 21 min.) – An extended look at the movie's illustrious cast and where they came from.
• Big Guns, Bigger Heroes: The 1980's and the Rise of the Action Film (HD, 25 min.) – A great little featurette about the memorable movies and action heroes of the 80s. If you're an action movie fan, specifically an 80s action movie fan, then check out this special feature.
• On the Assault: The Real Life Weaponry of The Expendables 2 (SD, 14 min.) – A look at the real-life weaponry that is used in the movie. Definitely a featurette for the gun enthusiasts out there.
• Guns for Hire: The Real Life Expendables (HD, 25 min.) – A look at a few of the world's real-life private security people and mercenaries who are hired to do this kind of clandestine stuff.
• Deleted Scenes (HD, 5 min.) – A few inconsequential scenes are included here.
• Gag Reel (HD, 5 min.) – A few minutes of the stars laughing and messing up their lines.

The Expendables 3

• Theatrical and Unrated Version (HD, 127 Mins./131 Mins.) - The unrated version has a few extra and extended scenes, none of which are any bloodier than the PG-13 version.
• The Expendables 3 Documentary (HD, 52 Mins.) - Here is a fun and extensive behind-the-scenes look at the making of the film. There are tons of cast and crew interviews mixed with a treasure trove of on-set footage that covers the stunt work, fight choreography, characters, and more. Looks like everyone had a great time on set, which makes this a lot of fun to watch.
• New Blood: Stacked and Jacked (HD, 17 Mins.) - Here is some similar stuff from the above extra, but this one focuses more on the new young cast members. Cast and crew interviews are here along with some on-set footage. Worth the watch.
• Total Action Package (HD, 7 Mins.) - This bonus feature centers on the stunts and visual effects of the film. Cast and crew interviews mix with on-set footage that showcases a lot of wirework and green screen. This was quite fun to watch and see how they did the big set pieces.
• Gag Reel (HD, 3 Mins.) - Here is a fun blooper reel with everyone missing their cues, flubbing lines, and a lot of laughter on the set. Pretty funny.
• Extended Scene: Christmas Runs the Gauntlet (HD, 3 Mins.) - Here is an extended scene of one of Jason Statham's scenes where he takes out a bunch of bad guys.
• Trailers (HD, 11 Mins.) - Trailers for other films from Lionsgate.

The Expend4bles

• Audio Commentary - Director Scott Waugh discusses working with the entire cast, action beats, practical effects, and Stallone.
• Bigger, Badder, Bolder (HD, 17 Mins.) - A fun EPK of sorts that dissects the big action beats of the movie with cast and crew interviews and on-set footage.
• More Than A Team (HD, 19 Mins.) - The cast is the main focus here with tons of interviews with the new and returning castmates.
• Trailer (HD, 2 Mins.) - The trailer for the film is here.

Is this the ultimate release of all four films? No, but only because there is no 4K option. However, for those who don't already have these films and want the whole enchilada with great 1080p HD video and wonderful audio mixes, along with every bonus feature, this is the set to get. It also comes with a set of four lobby art cards from the films that feature the characters. And for its current extremely affordable price, this is the way to go. Highly Recommended!