How does the Expendables stack up against Wild geese - The Wild Geese (1978) Discussion

[–] haileris-2 14 years ago

Well, I actually thought of "The Wild Geese" again - for the first time in years - because I saw "The Expendables". After that unpleasant experience I tried to remember all the good mission-movies that are out there, and of course "The Wild Geese" came to mind as well.
In my opinion, they do not compare. Maybe I need to see WG again to refresh my memory, but there's just no way it can be as bad as Exp.
In WG, I cared for the characters and it was hard to watch them going through hell. In Exp., it's more like "Woah, we're really cool! *high five* Wanna come kill some more bad guys? Let's go!" You don't get to know the characters and so you don't care too much for them.
The Expendables try to imitate men. They define themselves by driving badass motorcycles, vintage cars and getting tattoos. They are all alike, and they have no clue. The Wild Geese are the real deal.

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[–] OC47150 14 years ago

You know, I hadn't thought of a comparison between the two until I saw this thread. Similar yet different. The Expendables are harded, a little more jaded and world-weary than the WG. I can't picture one of the Expendables doing a Richard Harris and turning his back on that lifestyle completely. Both groups are very experienced.

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[–] Stars-2 14 years ago

Slightly off centre with this one but with all you WG experts you may be able to help me! - Does anyone remember the gay medical orderly saying the lines-
"..here they come black as night and thick as grass" ????
Cant's fond a copy of this movie to check it out - thanks !

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[–] 14 years ago

[deleted]

[–] BuddyLove63 14 years ago

Slightly off centre with this one but with all you WG experts you may be able to help me! - Does anyone remember the gay medical orderly saying the lines-
"..here they come black as night and thick as grass" ????

Unfortunately that's not in the film.

That appears to be a real life comment from one of the British defenders at Rorke's Drift in the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879.

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[–] flawedhero2003 13 years ago

very close actual quote was from the look out on the hospital roof "here they come black as hell and thick as grass"

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[–] Chinese_Burn 13 years ago

Well...

The Wild Geese is a cracking movie, and The Expendables is a bag of bollocks that probably cost 18 times as much to make...

Men of War is a better merc movie than that tripe...

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[–] crazydave682000 13 years ago

I found "The Expendables" too comic book (like "The A-Team" and the "Losers") for my taste.
I like my war movies a little more realistic, and if anything else in the terms of uniforms, weapons, and tactics the "Wild Geese" was pretty good in that respect.

Dave

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[–] Theoverlook 13 years ago

The expendables is a piece of cheesy crap. The wild geese is far superior in every way and a total joy to watch. All hail burton and harris the masters.

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[–] ian_buchan 12 years ago

At least The Wild Geese are younger than The Expendables.

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[–] political-terror 11 years ago

I finally saw The Expendables, what a disappointment after the rather good Rambo 4. The Wild Geese is a classic action movie with heart, The Expendables doesn't even have memorable action and is instantly forgettable.

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[–] clivey6 11 years ago

It's the dialogue - brilliant and sardonic in Wild Geese, ropey and clunky in Expendables. Really, the actors are just there, it's like panto in that one.

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[–] SteveH2002 11 years ago

At least The Wild Geese are younger than The Expendables.

Hah! Good one, and true.

I actually enjoyed The Expendables more than The Wild Geese. I'm an old (over 50) American and just watched The Wild Geese, so I haven't got nostalgia working for me. The pacing was terrible - I mean, you're gonna spend a whole half a movie getting the team together? Burton and Harris (both of whom I revere) were out of place, especially Burton. The action scenes - which most people seem to have liked - were, imo, a little vague and pointless. Pacing was a problem throughout the whole movie.

I'm not holding up The Expendables as anything much better. I watched it 6 months or so ago and I really don't remember much about it, besides the kick out of seein all the old 80s era action heroes together under one roof.

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[–] supercygnus 10 years ago

Expendables is solid entertainment, Wild Geese is far better.

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[–] ewaf58 9 years ago

Wild Geese is great - I couldn't finish the self satisfied Expendables.

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[–] jmillerdp 7 years ago

I choose "The Wild Geese." Although, it was a kick to see Mel Gibson in "Expendables 3."

I. Drink. Your. Milkshake! [slurp!] I DRINK IT UP! - Daniel Plainview - There Will Be Blood

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[–] xenopharb 7 years ago

Wild Geese is like a book; Expendables is like a comic book.

Did they pinch anything? Being mercs and the double-cross is about it.

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