James W

Let me start off with the best thing about the movie.... The soundtrack. Now I'll be brief and state most reviews were pretty correct in it's flatness but most expected an action film (as I did initially) However not even halfway into the opening knew it was a dramatic pace and can handle mixed genres well. As far as the writing.... It is FAR from sloppy. Almost to precise of execution causing a wash. We see a few flashbacks but aren't very useful for detail or character building. You are meant to make your own assumptions of these people while you slowly grasp they're capabilities and how dark they were Pay close attention to detail. How all the tactics they use are more similarly used in combat tactics. The helicopter crash wasn't overly dramatic and felt more authentic than most I've seen in the last tens years in films. No excessive explosions etc. It's not a Michael Bay film and it's proof they people desire that whether they realise it or not. The lack of the over the top storytelling and big budget explosions are what made this film unique and refreshing. They had to use emotion and acting to draw you in from lack of a background and plot. Your meant to feel thrown into these people's lives abruptly to see their flaws and look for them rather than being told them (I mean who does that in real life besides Hollywood) The basis of why they made so many mistakes is off the fact they're old and can't retire from the treatment of being is service. They have pain, debt, families and new good morals but are drawn into an old way of life after the service as mercenaries for hire. They miss the old days and that's all they know but soon get a taste of regret and despair Enjoyed seeing a film that may have been predictable and told before but intrigued me enough to want to understand these guys for what they're doing.