As a fan of the concept of the first Expendables film (a mammoth, explosion-soaked ensemble with the biggest icons of the action genre), let me say that despite having fun with the 2010 action film, I was still disappointed due to being misled into thinking the film would have a little more to it. My concerns, however, seem to be addressed with the sequel. Expendables 2, bringing back the entire squad with a few new players, washes over you like the tide of blood you were anticipating.

Following an ambushed operation that led to the death of one of their own, mercenary-leader Barney Ross leads his crew on a hell-or-high-water mission to stop a criminal mastermind (Van Damme) and his thugs, the Sangs, from selling the contents retrieved from a mysterious safe (Leaving a few things out here. Don’t want to spoil the ride). Encountering some old friends from the past, Ross proves that despite being called an Expendable, he’s not about to leave a member un-avenged.

What really helped me have fun this time around was the fact that I took the movie for what it was. You cannot go to a movie like this and expect deep philosophy, heavy dialogue or even serious character development. But once you’ve cleared the table of all that clutter, you are now free to enjoy a three-course meal of hyper-violence, meta-humor, and ’80s nostalgia gratification that will leave your hunger satisfied. In order to enjoy this film, however, you have to prepare yourself for what you’re getting.

My only real complaint about the film is that there seems to be no connectivity to its predecessor, and this worries me because of the fact that I would like to see a third installment in the franchise. A little bit of character development would be something nice to see in the future. Until that time though, just appreciate the film’s message: You’re never too old to kick a little ass.