With eleven more minutes than the original, The Expendables Extended Director's Cut seems more buddy-oriented, more battle-filled, and admittedly, more entertaining. For folks who missed it the first time around, Sly Stallone headlines and directs an ensemble cast of 1980s and 90s action stars that includes Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Terry Crews, Mickey Rourke, and Stone Cold Steve Austin. The action might be what you'd expect, and the dialogue might be worse, but together in one package, it's an explosion of good, old-fashioned action fun.

Who knew Mickey Rourke could be the voice of reason? In this one, Sly's Barney Ross feels guilt over bailing on a mission where he was in over his head, leaving the young, revolutionary-aimed daughter (Gisele Itie) behind to die at the hands of evil CIA agent/businessman Jensen (Eric Roberts). Of course, in a tattoo parlor, Rourke's Tool recounts a story of failing to make the right choice, Ross gets the hint, his fellows join him, and he returns to the Gulf of Mexico to make things right. It's epic, familiar, and entertaining (in my third go-around with the film).

Crews gets to fire a big, honking gun, Statham and Li battle it out with baddies (Li does have a cool fight scene with Lundgren), and a couple of other B stars moonlight (the Governator and Bruce Willis). But what you see is what you get, and the special features have a lot to say about why Stallone did it. My favorite was the inclusion of his saying that Staying Alive wasn't his thing (duh) but fans will enjoy the retrospectives here. You can check out the feature-length "Inferno," a look at making the film, or some of the other behind-the-scenes business. It's rare for me that the music catches my attention, but I actually found myself looking up the lyrics to Sully Erna's "Sinner's Prayer."

While this isn't going to be the deepest movie you see this year, there's plenty about defending the defenseless, fulfilling your purpose, and being a meaningful participant in the life of your (and the world's) community. I'm actually looking forward to the sequel due out in August 2012, as Stallone has the skills to turn a pot full of disparate parts into an action-filled saga with some heart. There's plenty of witty repartee, and plenty of action, so the thrill-riders on your Christmas list should be happy!