A Franchise That Refuses to Die

There is something almost defiant about The Expendables franchise. In an era dominated by digital spectacle and self-aware superheroes, these films continue to argue—loudly, explosively—that muscle, gunpowder, and grit are still enough. The Expendables 6 does not reinvent that argument. Instead, it doubles down on it, straps on something absurdly unexpected, and charges forward with a grin.

That unexpected element, of course, is Cristiano Ronaldo. Yes, that Cristiano Ronaldo. The idea sounds like a punchline, yet the film treats it with absolute sincerity—and somehow, that sincerity is what makes it work.

The Plot: Familiar Ground, Sharpened Edges

The story follows a well-worn but serviceable path. A ruthless global antagonist threatens worldwide chaos through militarized technology and private armies, the kind of villain who exists less as a character and more as a target. Barney Ross (Sylvester Stallone) reunites the legendary mercenary crew for one more mission that promises high casualties and low chances of survival.

Into this equation steps Ronaldo, playing a former special operations legend whose reputation precedes him. His character is defined less by backstory and more by efficiency: speed, precision, and an almost frightening calm under pressure. This is not a movie interested in complexity; it is interested in momentum, and the plot exists primarily to keep the bullets flying.

What the Film Gets Right

• The narrative wastes no time pretending to be something it is not.
• Set pieces are clearly staged, practical where it matters, and satisfyingly brutal.
• The new character integrates smoothly without sidelining the core team.

Performances: Legends Playing to Their Strengths

Sylvester Stallone remains the soul of the franchise. His performance as Ross is weary, restrained, and quietly authoritative. He no longer needs to prove anything, and that confidence anchors the film. Jason Statham, as expected, delivers kinetic energy with surgical precision, turning every fight into a demonstration of controlled chaos.

Then there is Ronaldo. The question was never whether he could act circles around seasoned performers—it was whether his physical presence could translate to cinema. The answer is yes, within the boundaries of this genre. He is not asked to deliver monologues or emotional breakdowns. Instead, the film smartly frames him as a force of motion: sprinting through firefights, executing brutal close-quarters combat, and embodying an athlete’s instinctive spatial awareness.

Chemistry and Ensemble Balance

One of the film’s quiet successes is how it avoids turning Ronaldo into a novelty act. He is introduced, tested, and absorbed into the team dynamic. The banter remains intact, the hierarchy respected. This is still Stallone’s world; Ronaldo is simply a new weapon added to the arsenal.

Action Direction: Old-School With Modern Muscle

The action sequences are the film’s true language, and The Expendables 6 speaks it fluently. Shootouts are loud and unapologetically excessive. Hand-to-hand fights emphasize impact over choreography, favoring bone-crunching realism instead of acrobatics.

Where the film surprises is in how it incorporates Ronaldo’s athleticism. Chase scenes are staged with a sense of velocity rarely seen in this franchise. The camera lingers just long enough to let the audience register physical credibility, and the editing resists the temptation to cut away too quickly.

Standout Action Elements

• Extended close-combat sequences that feel grounded and dangerous.
• Vehicle chases that emphasize speed and spatial awareness.
• Minimal reliance on excessive digital effects.

Themes: Legacy, Endurance, and Myth

Beneath the explosions, the film quietly reflects on legacy. These are men who have outlived their era, still fighting because it is the only language they know. Ronaldo’s presence adds an interesting contrast: a modern icon stepping into a myth built by older legends. The film never states this outright, but the imagery does the work.

There is also an unspoken celebration of discipline—of bodies trained to function under extreme stress. In that sense, the casting choice feels less gimmicky and more symbolic than it initially appears.

Flaws That Come With the Territory

This is not a film interested in subtlety. Dialogue exists mainly to bridge explosions. The villain is thinly sketched, and emotional beats are brief, sometimes perfunctory. Viewers seeking innovation or narrative depth will not find it here.

Yet these flaws feel almost beside the point. The film understands its audience and serves them without apology.

Final Verdict: Absurd, Sincere, and Surprisingly Effective

The Expendables 6 should not work as well as it does. On paper, the idea of inserting one of the world’s most famous athletes into an aging action franchise sounds desperate. On screen, it plays as confident, even inspired. The film knows exactly what it is: a loud, muscular celebration of action cinema’s enduring appeal.

It will not convert skeptics, but it does not need to. For fans of old-school action and for viewers curious enough to see how far the concept can stretch without breaking, The Expendables 6 delivers a surprisingly satisfying ride.

Rating Summary

• Action: Relentless and well-staged
• Performances: Confident, physically credible
• Story: Functional but thin
• Overall Experience: Entertaining and unapologetic