I've never been impressed by a film that stars Sylvester Stallone, because I find it difficult to accept the utterly unrealistic action style. I mean: are you kidding me? Delving into a shower of bullets and shrapnel and emerging without a scratch, waving a handgun around casually and killing ferocious-looking enemies by the dozen. That's not heroic, it's divine intervention. And if it is miracles that I seek, I would read the Bible, rather than watching an action film.

Since the veteran actor continues to play God in the 21st century, I've been struggling to appreciate his Expendables franchise, until the 2014 outing which finally offers something fresh.

First and foremost, the Rambo actor has finally found a way to express his nostalgic feelings while keeping modern moviegoers entertained. For the past two stories, his only method was stacking vintage items which barely registered among average viewers. In "Expendables 3", he begins to show an understanding in the art of comparison and contrast.

The introduction of additional characters not only helps to expand the length of the film and reduce the workload of some grandpa actors, but also makes it possible to bring extra laughters and intensive action scenes to the third episode of "the Ode to Pensioners".

Stallone and his peers remain largely committed to their traditional style, which is to cause maximum damage and casualties with minimum input of movement. They also make plenty of jokes regarding the health conditions for people of their age, Harrison Ford alone is caught using the word "stroke" more than once.

However it seems even Stallone himself is tired of the effortless feat of talking. The nagging part is assigned to new guy Antonio Banderas who plays a former member of the Spanish Armed Forces. His presentation of a stubborn ex-militant who refuses to retire is more effective and more hilarious than the original Expendables. Other new recruits including Ronda Rousey, Kellan Lutz, Glen Powell and Victor Ortiz each brings their own special skills to scale up the battle scene, thanks to their mobility, the final showdown looks more like an earthly carnage than the wrath of some powerful deity.

When in the end the young rookies celebrate their smooth skins and many unused years by singing Neil Young's 1972 song "Old Man", the contrast reaches its culmination. That's when I was able to sympathize with the old actors, who seem quite determined to grab hold of a fast-changing time.

There is little novelty in the way Expendables 3 is made. But compared to its predecessors, it could very well become the most impressive episode in the series.