Later this month the Scorpions will be touring through Buenos Aires, and will be followed by Aerosmith and an American Queen cover band.</p><p>As I pass by the giant posters that litter the city streets, I wonder to myself, who still wants to see these guys?</p><p>Sort of like the new Sylvester Stallone film "The Expendables," the lineup is filled with a bunch of old action stars far from their prime. In fact, the last film to be directed by Stallone (outside of the "Rocky" and "Rambo"series) was the 1983 flick "Staying Alive." I can't help but wonder what audience is interested in watching this rather than just throwing on an old "Rambo" DVD. </p><p>Now that's not to say that all old artists are a drag. Martin Scorsese's Rolling Stone documentary "Shine a Light" is a testament to that; Keith Richards, in his 60s can jump around the stage with more energy than I can. And Clint Eastwood, in his 80s, is making wonderful films and still kicking butt (Gran Torino). The difference is, neither are trying to relive their glory days. </p><p>So, I went (slightly) biased, and was pleasantly surprised by the film's opening. Stallone is hired by a CIA man, with a brief cameo from Bruce Willis. The CIA hires him to track down an American businessman who is taking over a small island in South America. One muscle man is played by the famous "Stone Cold" Steve Austin. It's these kinds of cameos (another from Gov. Schwarzenegger) that makes you anticipate something funny, maybe even a clever satire, then the story begins. </p><p>Stallone leads his team of four, played by international action stars Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren and Jason Statham. </p><p>Stallone wants us to take the film seriously. </p><p>It's an impossible feat. </p><p>The plot is over-written, sometimes preachy. He tries to pack in a sad story of the oppressed and courageous, but it's just used as filler in between the messy action scenes. And not to mention that mercenaries are hardly the "courageous" heroes these kinds of films make them out to be. But I guess that's not really the point. </p><p>Now let me say, Stallone's film does have one good thing -- and that is Mr. Mickey Rourke. He plays a former mercenary turned tattoo artist. Even though he only occupies a handful of scenes, he is mesmerizing. He takes the half-thoughts of Stallone's script and turns his monologues into graceful, meaningful words. </p><p>Although this film is made up of actors in their 40s and older, the film is clearly targeted to middle school boys. If you don't fit into that age bracket, I wouldn't waste my time.