The Losers (2010)

Directed by Sylvain White. Starring Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Idris Elba, Chris Evans, Zoe Saldaña, Columbus Short, Jason Patric, Óscar Jaenada, Holt McCallany, Peter Macdissi, Peter Francis James. [PG-13]

It’s an all-too-familiar setup for this action movie inspired by a comic book from Andy Diggle and Mark “Jock” Simpson: a team of colorful Special Forces operatives are double-crossed, so they “go rogue” and plot retribution against the sinister superior (Patric) who tried to kill them. An emphasis on smart-aleck humor and exaggerated style can’t cover up the tired clichés and formula story beats; it’s just a machine to generate mild thrills and the occasional chuckle without anyone or anything to care about. The villain is archly mannered to the point where he can’t be taken seriously, and Saldaña is plugged into an underwritten prop role where you immediately know she’s 1) going to become romantically involved with one of the “losers”, and 2) she’s harboring a secret that’ll come out just before the final act kicks in. Not entirely without entertainment value, but the bright moments are both scant and fleeting. Co-written by Peter Berg, and co-produced by Joel Silver.

49/100