The Expendables 3

The Expendables 3 2014

Directed by

Patrick Hughes

Patrick Hughes

Made by

Lionsgate

Lionsgate

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Plot Summary


An armored train is en route to the Denzali prison, carrying a fugitive. Meanwhile, Barney Ross (Sylvester Stallone) leads his team, The Expendables, in pursuit from a helicopter. Strategically, they set up a wire a few miles along the tracks. As Lee Christmas (Jason Statham), Gunner Jensen (Dolph Lundgren), and Toll Road (Randy Couture) initiate an attack on the guards, chaos ensues. Climbing onto the rooftop, they engage in fierce combat before Lee ventures inside the train to rescue the captive, known as Doctor Death (Wesley Snipes).

Upon liberating him, Lee attempts a quick escape. However, Doc becomes captivated by a portrait of a general, stalling their progress. Recovering their focus, they ascend the train’s rooftop, only for Doc to make a shocking decision. He dashes to the train’s front, eliminating guards with ruthless efficiency, ultimately steering the train straight into the prison, resulting in the obliteration of the general and the facility itself.

Doc, a former member of the Expendables, reveals the crimes that led to his imprisonment. Although he murdered numerous men, he was incarcerated for tax evasion—an ironic nod to Wesley Snipes’s own legal troubles. Gunner hands Doc a knife so he can groom himself, while he heads to the cockpit to brief Barney. With urgency, they discuss locating the arms dealer Victor Min. To entice Doc into joining, Barney presents him with a bag filled with knives that once belonged to him, delighting the former Expendable.

The team lands in Somalia, where they reconvene with Hale Caesar (Terry Crews). Together, they navigate through the docks, engaging in combat with enemies. They spot a helicopter descending, from which Conrad Stonebanks (Mel Gibson) emerges. The team is taken aback to see him alive, presumed dead until this moment. In a frantic shootout, Stonebanks and his thugs retaliate, leading to a frenzied chase. Despite the team’s efforts to evade the armed assailants, Stonebanks manages to escape by helicopter, injuring Caesar before unleashing a terrifying bomb that plunges our heroes into the river.

Despite rushing Caesar to the hospital, their attempts to aid him offer little reprieve. In a moment of reflection, Barney places his lucky ring beside Caesar and later finds solace in a bar, regrettably deciding that he must forsake his allies to protect them from further danger. However, Lee Christmas races to change his mind, but Barney’s determination remains unshaken.

Traveling to Las Vegas, Barney reconnects with an old ally, Bonaparte (Kelsey Grammer), aiming to recruit fresher, younger talent for the team. Once Bonaparte learns of Stonebanks’s survival, he readily agrees to assist. Their search takes them to Wyoming, where they encounter Thorn (Glen Powell), notable for his impressive hacking skills and daring stunts. Next, they venture to a New York nightclub, where they meet Luna (Ronda Rousey), who impressively dispatches troublemakers. They also meet Galgo (Antonio Banderas), whose questionable background leads to a humorous rejection by Bonaparte. They continue their recruitment journey to an air base in California, discovering Mars (Victor Ortiz), a well-armed candidate, before locating John Smilee (Kellan Lutz) in Mexico, who initially refuses to listen to Barney’s offer but later joins the mission.

With the new recruits assembled, Barney introduces them to the veterans before setting off to confront Stonebanks. Drummer informs them that the CIA desires Stonebanks alive for prosecution at The Hague. In the company of his fellow Expendables, Barney and the young recruits embark on their mission, learning about the war crimes connected to Stonebanks.

Thorn devises an intricate plan for infiltrating a location where Stonebanks is to meet an arms dealer. Their execution is precise; they swarm the warehouse, eliminating resistance until they successfully capture Stonebanks. The shocking revelation unfolds that he was a co-founder of The Expendables with Barney, once seeking wealth through illicit means. As tensions rise, Stonebanks taunts Barney into considering murder, confident that he would resist. Outside, his henchmen descend, launching grenades that unleash devastation, knocking Barney into a ravine while his team is nearly executed—though Stonebanks decides to spare them.

In an unfortunate turn of events, Barney reunites with Trench. He receives a video of the captured recruits, provoking a fierce desire to rescue them. Encouraged by the quick-witted Galgo, he gathers the remaining Expendables—Christmas, Road, Doc, and Gunner—ready to face the chaos that lies ahead.

Upon finding the hidden location, they execute a rapid rescue, but unknowingly trigger explosives wired throughout the building, setting off a countdown. Quick-thinking Thorn manages to halt the timer at just nine seconds before they engage Stonebanks in a climactic clash. A spectacular showdown unfolds, featuring Trench’s aerial support alongside returning Expendable Yin Yang (Jet Li). Each member excels in combat, exhibiting their skills as they eliminate threats. Barney and Stonebanks finally face off in a brutal hand-to-hand conflict, where Barney ultimately prevails, shooting Stonebanks down for good.

As explosions erupt around them, Barney sprints towards the roof. In a breathtaking finale, he leaps to grab a hanging rope from a helicopter, escaping just in time as the building crumbles beneath him.

Eventually, Caesar recovers and reunites with the team at a bar. The four recruits earn official status as members of The Expendables, joined by Galgo’s exuberant celebrations. Luna thanks Barney with a tender kiss for his dedication, and Smilee light-heartedly contemplates stepping into a leadership role, prompting Barney to humorously advise him to dream on. Meanwhile, Christmas and Doc engage in a friendly competition throwing knives, and the recruits cap off the night with a spirited karaoke performance of Neil Young’s “Old Man,” much to Barney’s astounded amusement as he reflects on the remarkable journey they’ve all shared.

Timeline


Armored Train Dispatch

An armored train departs en route to Denzali prison, transporting a fugitive. The mission begins with anticipation as the team prepares to intercept the train pending its arrival.

The Expendables Take Action

Barney Ross and his team, The Expendables, pursue the train from a helicopter. They strategically set up a wire a few miles along the tracks to facilitate their operation against the train's guards.

Attack on the Train

Lee Christmas and his teammates initiate an attack on the guards from atop the train. As chaos ensues, they engage in fierce combat, aiming to rescue the captive on board.

Train

Rescue of Doctor Death

Lee ventures inside the train and successfully rescues Doctor Death, a notorious figure. Their escape quickly becomes complicated when Doc becomes distracted by a portrait inside the train.

Train

Doc Takes Control

Doc, after liberating himself, surprises Lee by charging to the front of the train. He violently eliminates guards, ultimately taking control and directing the train back towards the prison, leading to its destruction.

Train

Doc's Confession

Once they escape the chaos, Doc reveals his past crimes to the team. Despite his murderous record, he ironically shares that he was imprisoned for tax evasion, highlighting his unique situation.

Mission to Somalia

The Expendables land in Somalia for a new mission, where they meet Hale Caesar. As they navigate the docks, they encounter significant combat against hostile forces.

Somalia

Reappearance of Stonebanks

As the team engages enemies, they are shocked to see Conrad Stonebanks, previously thought dead, descending from a helicopter. The encounter leads to a chaotic shootout and a relentless chase.

Barney's Moment of Reflection

Despite rushing Caesar to the hospital, Barney finds solace at a bar, contemplating the risks of their lifestyle. He struggles with the decision to protect his team from further harm by stepping away from the fight.

Bar

Recruitment Mission Begins

Barney travels to Las Vegas to reconnect with an ally, Bonaparte, aiming to recruit fresh talent for a new mission. Bonaparte quickly agrees to assist after learning of Stonebanks's survival.

Las Vegas

Gathering New Recruits

Their recruitment journey takes them across various locations, where they find notable new members including Thorn for his hacking skills and Luna for her combat prowess. The team is determined to build a formidable crew.

Wyoming, New York

Confronting Stonebanks

With the recruitment complete, the team sets off to confront Stonebanks. They chart their mission involving federal interests and the war crimes connected to Stonebanks's past.

Capture of Stonebanks

They successfully storm a warehouse, capturing Stonebanks but discovering his role as a co-founder of The Expendables. Tensions flare as Barney must confront emotional challenges regarding their shared past.

Warehouse

The Climax

In a gripping climax, Barney fights Stonebanks in a brutal hand-to-hand battle, ultimately overcoming him. The destruction surrounding them mirrors the intensity of their confrontation.

Reuniting the Team

With the mission complete, Barney reunites with the team at a bar. The new recruits officially join the Expendables, celebrating their shared journey and victories, capping the night with joyous camaraderie.

Bar

Characters


Barney Ross

Barney Ross is the determined leader of the Expendables, showcasing strength and tactical prowess throughout their missions. His protective nature towards his team speaks volumes about his leadership qualities. Despite facing personal and external conflicts, his resolve to shield his allies drives much of the movie's tension.

👥 Leader 💪 Protector

Lee Christmas

Lee Christmas serves as Barney's right-hand man, known for his skillful combat abilities and loyalty to the team. His character exudes a combination of humor and deadly precision, which adds depth to the action. Lee's bravery is particularly highlighted during tense rescue missions, reflecting his dedication to the cause.

⚔️ Combat Expert 🤝 Loyal

Doctor Death

Doctor Death, a former Expendable, enters the story as a complex character with a checkered past. Despite being incarcerated for tax evasion, he proves to be an invaluable asset in the mission. His blend of dark humor and ruthless efficiency adds a captivating layer to his personality as he seeks redemption.

🔪 Skilled Fighter 🕵️‍♂️ Complex

Conrad Stonebanks

Conrad Stonebanks is the primary antagonist, a ruthless arms dealer and former co-founder of the Expendables. His return brings a wave of tension as he challenges Barney's principles. Stonebanks is cunning and manipulative, making him a formidable adversary for the team.

🚨 Antagonist 🩸 Ruthless

Setting


Time period

The events unfold in a contemporary setting where the struggles between mercenaries and arms dealers highlight modern conflicts. The time period reflects a blend of classic action tropes with updated technology, emphasizing the ongoing battle against crime in various locales.

Location

Denzali Prison, Somalia, Las Vegas, Wyoming, New York, California, Mexico

The movie traverses multiple places, starting with the Denzali prison where a pivotal rescue takes place. It then moves to Somalia, known for its docks and chaotic landscapes, revealing the team's combat skills. Las Vegas serves as a backdrop for recruiting new talent, while Wyoming and New York showcase their diverse environments crucial for the plot's progression.

🏙️ Locations 🚂 Action

Themes


⚔️

Brotherhood

The theme of brotherhood is central to the narrative, as Barney and his team fight to protect each other against formidable foes. This loyalty is exemplified in the camaraderie shown during battles and their unwavering support in times of crisis. The unity of both veteran Expendables and fresh recruits showcases the bonds formed through shared experiences.

💼

Betrayal

Betrayal emerges as a significant theme, particularly illustrated through the character of Stonebanks, a former ally turned enemy. His resurgence tests the loyalty of Barney and the team, challenging their previous notions of trust. The complexities of past affiliations create tension and conflict, emphasizing the precarious nature of alliances in the mercenary world.

🕵️‍♂️

Redemption

Redemption plays a crucial role in the character arc of Doctor Death and his journey from imprisonment to camaraderie with the Expendables. The movie illustrates his efforts to regain respect among former allies and make amends for his past. This drive for redemption highlights the possibility of second chances in a brutal world.

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