Review of The Expendables 4 (2023)

The Expendables 4 (2023), directed by Scott Waugh, is the latest installment in the action-packed, star-studded franchise that has become a haven for fans of explosive stunts, nostalgic action heroes, and larger-than-life combat sequences. Featuring an ensemble cast led by Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, and a slew of action legends, The Expendables 4 is unapologetically over-the-top and filled with the kinds of action sequences that fans have come to expect from the series.

The plot picks up with Barney Ross (Stallone) and his team of mercenaries facing off against a new, high-tech, and ᴅᴇᴀᴅly villain, who is threatening global security. This time, the stakes are higher than ever as the team must confront a powerful arms dealer named Rahmat (Iko Uwais), who has developed a weapon that could change the course of modern warfare. Barney ᴀssembles his team of Expendables, including Lee Christmas (Statham), to stop this threat, leading to a series of intense action set pieces that feature gunfights, hand-to-hand combat, and daring rescues.

The film largely stays true to the franchise’s roots: it’s a big, loud, and relentless action spectacle with plenty of explosions, martial arts, and heroic one-liners. If you’re a fan of the previous films, you’ll feel right at home, as The Expendables 4 delivers more of what has made the series so popular: a classic throwback to ’80s and ’90s action films, with Stallone and company leading the charge.

Sylvester Stallone’s character, Barney Ross, continues to be the heart of the series, though this film marks a shift in focus. It’s clear that the pᴀssing of the torch is happening, with Jason Statham’s Lee Christmas emerging as the central figure. Statham, with his trademark charm and impressive action chops, steps up to fill the shoes of the lead character more than ever before. His chemistry with the team and his combat skills remain a strong point in the film.

New additions to the cast include the action star Iko Uwais, best known for his roles in The Raid films, who brings his martial arts expertise to the role of the villain. His performance is fierce and physical, and he adds an extra layer of intensity to the film. While the villain itself doesn’t stand out as a memorable character, Uwais’s fight sequences are a highlight, showcasing his impressive martial arts skills in well-choreographed combat scenes.

The action sequences are where The Expendables 4 truly shines. From explosive gunfights to hand-to-hand combat, the film doesn’t skimp on delivering the kind of high-octane action that fans crave. The set pieces are thrilling and often absurd in their scale, with vehicles flying through the air, helicopters exploding, and fistfights that feel as though they could level entire cities. The film doesn’t take itself too seriously, and this self-aware tone helps it maintain its fun factor.

However, while the action is plentiful, The Expendables 4 struggles with some of the same issues that plagued previous entries in the series. The plot is simple, predictable, and lacks depth, serving merely as a backdrop to the action. Some characters are underdeveloped, with little more than a few lines to their name before they’re thrust into another chaotic fight scene. The dialogue can feel clichéd at times, with plenty of groan-worthy one-liners and moments that are more about spectacle than substance.

The film also suffers from pacing issues. While the action is intense, there are moments where the plot slows down, and the film stretches its thin narrative for too long. Some scenes feel repeтιтive, and there’s a sense that the movie could have been trimmed down for a more focused experience.

In conclusion, The Expendables 4 is exactly what you expect from the franchise: a loud, fun, and action-heavy movie that doesn’t take itself too seriously. It’s a film for fans of the genre, offering up the usual mix of iconic action stars, over-the-top fight scenes, and ridiculous stunts. While it doesn’t break any new ground and has some pacing and character issues, it’s still an entertaining watch for anyone looking for a nostalgic, adrenaline-pumping ride. With Jason Statham stepping into the spotlight, the film successfully keeps the franchise alive for future installments, while continuing to deliver the action-packed chaos that made The Expendables famous.

A Farmer’s Misplaced Hammer Led to the Largest Roman Treasure in Britain

Hoxne Hoard treasures. Photo by Helen Simonsson CC by SA-2.0

November 16, 1992 was the day which changed Suffolk-resident Eric Lawes’ life in a huge way. What he thought would have been an innocent search for a hammer he had misplaced on his farm in Hoxne Village, Suffolk, England ended up bringing him much more than he had bargained for — namely, uncovering the hiding spot of a long-hidden treasure. Based on the Guardian’s coverage of the story, Eric Lawes had been previously gifted a metal detector upon his retirement as a parting token. He decided to put his retirement gift to good use in order to locate the hammer which he had had some trouble finding. According to a 2018 Smithsonian Magazine article, when the device started recording that there was a strong signal coming from the earth, he knew that he was about to discover something big. As he started digging, it soon became clear to him that he had unearthed a treasure trove.

Hoxne Village. Photo by Duncan Grey CC BY-SA 2.0

The Guardian reports that, when Lawes saw that his preliminary digging had yielded a few gold coins and silver spoons, he immediately contacted both the local archaeological society and the police department. Archaeologists came to the property the following day and had the area of earth holding the treasure carefully sectioned-off and removed. Their hope was that at a later stage, in their laboratory, they could examined the items in order to identify both their age and how they were stored.

Hoxne Hoard: Display case at the British Museum showing a reconstruction of the arrangement of the hoard treasure when excavated in 1992. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0

When all was said and done, close to 60 pounds of items made from silver and gold were found on the site. These included more than 15,000 Roman coins, 200 gold objects, and several silver spoons. For archaeologists, this find — which later became labeled as the Hoxne Hoard — was an incredible discovery. AP News reported that archaeologist Judith Plouviez was over-the-moon about the discovery, saying that it was “an incredibly exciting and amazing find.” What’s more, another archaeologist, Rachel Wilkinson, told Smithsonian Magazine that this discovery was “the largest and latest ever found in Britain.”

Hoxne Hoard: Coins. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0

Ordinarily, archaeologists would use radiocarbon dating as a means of identifying the age of ancient relics. However, they couldn’t locate any suitable material from the haul. Consequently, they determined the age by examining writing on the coins, as well as the ruler carved into them, estimating that the treasure was probably buried in either 408 or 409 AD.

The silver “Hoxne Tigress” – the broken-off handle from an unknown object – is the best known single piece out of some 15,000 in the hoard. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0

Roman-era archaeologist Peter Guest told Smithsonian Magazine that “if you look at them a little more carefully, then they should be dated to the period after the separation of Britain from the Roman Empire.” He offers as part of his evidence the fact that almost all of the coins found in the Hoxne Hoard were clipped – in other words, small chunks of their edges had been taken off. These clippings would have been used to create coins which were similar to the Roman coins of that era.

A silver-gilt spoon with a marine beast from the Hoxne Hoard. Currently in the British Museum. Photo by JMiall CC BY-SA 3.0

Guest has a logical reason for this, arguing that “The Roman Empire wasn’t supplying Britain with new gold and silver coins, and in light of that, the population tried to get over this sudden cutoff in the supply of their precious metals by making the existing supplies go further.”

Reconstruction of the Hoxne treasure chest. Photo by Mike Peel CC-BY-SA-4.0

Archaeologists also believe that the treasure belonged to a Romano-British family. During that time, considering that there was so much societal discord and upheaval, it was common for Romans who had settled in Britain to bury their most prized possessions.

Two gold bracelets from the Hoxne Hoard, in the British Museum. Photo by Fæ CC BY-SA 3.0

That said, one archaeologist is of the belief that the hoard had a lot of sentimental value for the Romano-British family to whom it is believed to have belonged. In her book The Hoxne Late Roman Treasure: Gold Jewellery and Silver Plate, Catherine Johns claims that the manner in which the treasure was kept supported this claim. Some of the items which were recovered had been packaged in small, wooden boxes which were lined with leather. What’s more, pieces of wood, locks, and nails, among other things, surrounded the gold and silver pieces. This leads Catherine to assert that the package was carefully buried and not simply chucked away in a rush.

Three silver-gilt Roman piperatoria or pepper pots from the Hoxne Hoard on display at the British Museum

Interestingly enough, the items unearthed might shed some light on the identity of the family who owned them. They cite a gold bracelet bearing the inscription “UTERE FELIX DOMINA IULIANE,” which roughly translates to “use this happily Lady Juliane”. A second name “Aurelius Ursicinus” has also been discovered. This has consequently led some to believe that Juliane and Aurelius were the couple and the original owners of the treasure. That said, that has yet to be confirmed.

Two toiletry items, one in the shape of a crane-like bird; the other with an empty socket, probably for bristles for a makeup brush. Photo by Fæ CC BY-SA 3.0

All in all, the discovery was a real treasure for archaeologists, and by extension, for Lawes. According to Smithsonian Magazine, in recognition of his discovery and willingness to contact authorities, the British government rewarded him with over £1.7 million, an amount which he shared with the farmer whose land was dug out in order to get the treasure. Funnily enough, apart from the treasure, Lawes also found his lost hammer — which now resides in the British Museum.