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The Expendables

Name: The Expendables
Director: Sylvester Stallone
Released: 2010
Duration: 103 min

Representation Score

2.6/10

Limited

2010

Director

Sylvester Stallone

Runtime

103 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

The film celebrates traditional, high-energy action cinema by relying on well-known genre conventions and reinforcing conventional masculine hierarchies. While the cast includes actors from different ethnic backgrounds, this diversity primarily enhances the visual appeal rather than offering complex character development. The story adheres to Western heroic clichés and does not challenge traditional gender roles.

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Category Breakdown

Does The Expendables have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film focuses on straight relationships and does not include any LGBTQ+ characters or identities.

How does The Expendables portray gender?

Minimal

The movie centers around a group of men and does not give women substantial roles or depth.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Expendables?

Fair

The film includes actors from various ethnic backgrounds, but their roles are defined by combat skills rather than cultural nuances.

How does The Expendables represent religion and culture?

Limited

The story follows typical Western action clichés and the 'heroic mercenary' archetype without engaging deeply with cultural or institutional critiques.

Does The Expendables include disability representation?

Minimal

All characters are portrayed as physically fit, and there is no exploration of neurodivergence or physical impairments.

Present on Screen

The film features a diverse, international cast of actors.
The inclusion of global martial arts icons provides multi-ethnic representation.

Limited or Absent

The film fails the Bechdel test, lacking meaningful dialogue between women.
Women's roles lack significant depth or ability to act.
There is no representation of LGBTQ+ identities or disabilities.
Characters are defined by combat skills rather than cultural nuances.

Official Synopsis

Barney Ross leads a band of highly skilled mercenaries including knife enthusiast Lee Christmas, a martial arts expert Yin Yang, heavy weapons specialist Hale Caesar, demolitionist Toll Road, and a loose-cannon sniper Gunner Jensen. When the group is commissioned by the mysterious Mr. Church to assassinate the dictator of a small South American island, Barney and Lee visit the remote locale to scout out their opposition and discover the true nature of the conflict engulfing the city.

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