The Expendables 2

Here’s a sequel that learns a lot from the mistakes of the first installment. It gathers up a bunch of old goons, gives them big guns, and tells them to shoot things—and this time, they do it with much aplomb. It’s obvious before the opening title credit that Sylvester Stallone and friends are going to get things right and deliver the crazy-gory goods. Much of the credit must go to Simon West, who replaces Stallone in the director’s chair. West made the ridiculously enjoyable Con Air, which combined stellar action with funny, dumb dialogue to much success. Unlike the first movie, Expendables 2 gets real laughs from its boneheaded dialogue rather than groans.