The Expendables 5: Part 1 (2025) marks the beginning of the explosive finale to one of Hollywood’s most iconic action franchises. Directed by a yet-to-be-confirmed visionary (rumored to be Sylvester Stallone or Scott Waugh), this penultimate chapter reunites legendary action stars with fresh faces, delivering a nostalgic yet thrilling ride for fans of the genre. With a massive ensemble cast, jaw-dropping action sequences, and a budget reportedly exceeding $150 million, The Expendables 5 aims to honor its legacy while setting the stage for a dramatic conclusion in 2027. Does it live up to the hype? Let’s dive into our comprehensive review of The Expendables 5 (2025), exploring its plot, performances, action, and more.

Overview of The Expendables 5 (2025)

The Expendables franchise, conceived by Sylvester Stallone and David Callaham, has been a love letter to 1980s and 1990s action cinema since its debut in 2010. Known for uniting iconic stars like Stallone, Jason Statham, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Jet Li, the series celebrates over-the-top action, camaraderie, and tongue-in-cheek humor. After the disappointing Expend4bles (2023), which grossed only $51 million against a $100 million budget, The Expendables 5: Part 1 arrives with high stakes to redeem the franchise.

This fifth installment, slated for release in 2025, is the first of a two-part finale, with Part 2 expected in 2027. According to IMDb, it boasts the largest ensemble cast yet, featuring legacy characters like Barney Ross (Stallone), Lee Christmas (Statham), Gunner Jensen (Dolph Lundgren), and Toll Road (Randy Couture), alongside new recruits like Jadon, a skilled marksman, and Steel, a complex character who turns antagonist. The film promises to be the longest in the series, blending classic Expendables chaos with a farewell to the genre.

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Plot Summary: A High-Stakes Mission with Emotional Weight

The Expendables 5: Part 1 kicks off with the team reeling from their last mission’s fallout. Barney Ross, now in his late 70s, contemplates retirement but is drawn back for one final job: thwarting a global terrorist network led by a shadowy figure known as “Trench” (rumored to be a returning Arnold Schwarzenegger in a villainous role). The CIA, represented by handler Marsh (Andy Garcia), tasks the Expendables with recovering a stolen bio-weapon that could plunge the world into chaos.

The plot follows the team—Barney, Lee, Gunner, Toll Road, and new member Easy Day (Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson)—as they infiltrate a heavily fortified compound in a fictional Eastern European nation. New characters Jadon (a sniper played by a rising star, possibly Jacob Scipio) and Steel (a charismatic but treacherous mercenary) add fresh dynamics. The mission goes awry, leading to the death of a beloved legacy character, setting an emotional tone rare for the franchise. The film ends on a cliffhanger, with the team fractured and Trench’s plan still in motion, paving the way for Part 2’s soft reboot.

While the story isn’t groundbreaking, it delivers the “dumb action done right” that fans crave, with enough twists to keep viewers engaged. The screenplay, reportedly co-written by Stallone, balances nostalgia with stakes that feel personal, addressing themes of aging, loyalty, and sacrifice.

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Cast and Performances: A Star-Studded Ensemble

The heart of The Expendables 5 lies in its cast, a mix of action legends and new talent. Sylvester Stallone, despite limited screen time in Expend4bles, returns as Barney Ross with a commanding presence. His performance carries the weight of a man facing mortality, making every scene poignant. Jason Statham, as Lee Christmas, steps into the spotlight as the team’s de facto leader, delivering his signature charisma and martial arts prowess. Statham’s chemistry with Stallone remains a highlight, with their banter evoking the franchise’s early days.

Dolph Lundgren’s Gunner Jensen, now sober and philosophical, adds depth to the team’s volatile sniper, while Randy Couture’s Toll Road provides reliable comic relief. Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson’s Easy Day brings a modern edge, though his performance occasionally feels overshadowed by the veterans. Newcomers Jadon and Steel inject energy, with Steel’s betrayal arc offering a surprising twist. Rumors of cameos from Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bruce Willis, and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson as Trench or other roles add intrigue, though only Schwarzenegger’s involvement seems likely.

The ensemble’s chemistry is electric, though the sheer number of characters means some, like Jet Li’s Yin Yang, get minimal screen time. Megan Fox, returning as Gina, delivers a competent but less impactful performance compared to her male counterparts. Overall, the cast’s commitment to the genre’s roots makes The Expendables 5 a nostalgic treat.

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Action Sequences: Explosive and Over-the-Top

If there’s one thing The Expendables 5 gets right, it’s the action. The film doubles down on the franchise’s hallmark: relentless, R-rated chaos. From a high-octane opening raid in a Libyan desert to a climactic battle aboard a moving train, the set pieces are ambitious and visceral. Choreography, led by veteran stunt coordinators, blends practical effects with CGI, addressing Expend4bles’ criticism of cheap visuals. A standout sequence involves Lee Christmas taking on a dozen henchmen in a collapsing skyscraper, showcasing Statham’s martial arts skills.

The film’s budget, estimated at $150–$200 million, is evident in its scale. Explosions, helicopter chases, and a tank-versus-motorcycle duel push the boundaries of plausibility, but that’s the point. Unlike Expend4bles’s lackluster CGI, The Expendables 5 invests in polished effects, though some green-screen moments feel noticeable. The violence is brutal—expect severed limbs, spurting blood, and creative kills—staying true to the franchise’s roots.

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Direction and Cinematography: A Step Up from Expend4bles

Assuming Stallone’s heavier involvement (as Dolph Lundgren suggested), The Expendables 5 benefits from his directorial touch, even if Scott Waugh returns. The pacing is tighter than Expend4bles’s clunky narrative, balancing action with character moments. The cinematography captures the grit of war-torn settings, from dusty deserts to neon-lit urban sprawls, though some CGI-heavy scenes lack the tactile feel of the original films.

The film’s visual spectacle is enhanced by a thumping soundtrack, featuring classic rock anthems and a nod to 50 Cent’s “P.I.M.P.” during a key fight. While not revolutionary, the direction serves the franchise’s goal: delivering unapologetic action with a nod to its 1980s inspirations.

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Themes and Emotional Impact

The Expendables 5 explores themes of legacy and mortality, a departure from the series’ usual machismo. Barney’s contemplation of retirement and the death of a key character hit hard, giving the film an emotional core. The camaraderie among the team, especially between Barney and Lee, resonates, though some dialogue feels cliched. The introduction of younger characters like Jadon hints at the franchise’s future, setting up Part 2’s soft reboot.

However, the film doesn’t fully escape the franchise’s pitfalls. Female characters like Gina remain underdeveloped, and some racial stereotypes (noted in earlier films) persist, though less overtly. Still, the focus on loyalty and sacrifice elevates The Expendables 5 above Expend4bles’s indifference.

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Reception and Box Office Potential

Given Expend4bles’s 13% Rotten Tomatoes score and box office failure, The Expendables 5 faces skepticism. However, early buzz suggests a return to form, with Stallone’s involvement and a two-part structure generating interest. The franchise’s core audience—fans of 1980s action and stars like Statham—will likely turn out, but appealing to younger viewers remains a challenge. A budget of $150–$200 million demands a global gross of at least $400 million to break even, a tall order after Expend4bles’s $51 million haul.

Critics may praise the action and Statham’s lead performance but criticize the predictable plot and uneven CGI. Audience reception, per CinemaScore trends, could land in the B+ range, similar to earlier entries.

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Should You Watch The Expendables 5 (2025)?

The Expendables 5: Part 1 is a must-watch for fans of the franchise and 1980s-inspired action. It delivers the explosive set pieces, star power, and nostalgia that define the series, with enough emotional weight to keep you invested. While it doesn’t reinvent the wheel, it’s a marked improvement over Expend4bles, setting the stage for an epic finale. If you love seeing Stallone, Statham, and Lundgren mowing down bad guys with a smirk, this is your kind of movie.

Rating: 3.5/5 stars
Where to Watch: In theaters (2025), with streaming on Peacock or AMC+ expected later.
Runtime: Approximately 2 hours (longest in the series).

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Final Thoughts

The Expendables 5 (2025) is a nostalgic blast that recaptures the franchise’s glory days while acknowledging its stars’ mortality. With a stellar cast, massive action, and a cliffhanger that promises more, it’s a fitting penultimate chapter. Whether it can overcome the shadow of Expend4bles and justify its hefty budget remains to be seen, but for now, it’s a thrilling ride worth taking. Stay tuned for Part 2 in 2027, which could redefine the action genre.

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