40
If Danny Ocean and Barney Ross from The Expendables had a baby, it might look something like this — but should they?
What are people saying?
What are critics saying?
30
The New York Times by Ben Kenigsberg
Part of the thrill of heist movies is in watching a caper take shape before its execution. But the director, Steven Quale, rushes through the planning stages; there’s no obstacle that can’t be overcome with a quick line of exposition.
40
New York Magazine (Vulture) by Bilge Ebiri
The heist itself, shot mostly underwater, is actually lots of fun.
50
While not particularly inspired, memorable or suspenseful, the action here is impressively scaled, from a tank plunging off a bridge to helicopter stunts and all that diving activity. It may have been a bad investment, but technically first-rate American Renegades does put its considerable budgetary resources right up there onscreen.
40
Largely gung-ho nonsense, but it’s always a pleasure to see J.K. Simmons in ball-busting mode, barking words like “simpletons!” at his men.
20
Los Angeles Times by Noel Murray
Quale and his crew clearly want this to be a good old-fashioned two-fisted caper, but the pacing is leaden and the plot lacks imagination. Worst of all, nobody really bothered to give the picture an angle. It’s all straight, flat and dull.
40
The Guardian by Peter Bradshaw
There is a spectacular scene in which someone drives a tank off a bridge, and JK Simmons gives the film some ballast as the guys’ scowling commanding officer, but the rest of the time this resembles a TV movie of egregious averageness.
50
RogerEbert.com by Simon Abrams
A cross between "Ocean's 11" and "The Expendables." American Renegades is also not nearly as fun as that sounds.