The third in the series, “The Expendables 3” is more of the same: it brings together an ensemble cast of iconic 80’s and 90’s action stars, sets up a loose, mostly uninteresting story, and, as to be expected, is chockfull of explosions and gunfights. The only noticeable difference is that this most recent entry is rated PG-13, so as a result, it is less brutal and bloody than the previous two. Ultimately, though, it doesn’t matter too much. We came here to see as many of our action heroes as possible stuffed into one movie, and, on that note at least, “The Expendables 3” delivers.

“The Expendables 3” is an often-repeated story of the past coming back to get you. Conrad Stonebanks (Mel Gibson) is a former Expendable, having co-founded the group with Barney Ross (Sylvester Stallone) some years before. Stonebanks, who was presumed dead, has now become an arms dealer whom the Expendables have been hired to take down. Unbeknownst to them, though, Stonebanks has his own plans. Barney has also recently hired a new, younger group of Expendables, although they might be too young and inexperienced for the job.

In this third film, not only do we have regulars like Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Terry Crews, and Jet Li, but we also have Harrison Ford as the manager of the team, Antonio Banderas as an eccentric outsider, Wesley Snipes as a former member whose nickname is Doctor Death, and also Mel Gibson as the major villain. In addition, there are the younger Expendables, of which, in an interesting change, one of them is actually a girl, who is played by Ronda Rousey. With such a huge team, though, at times it gets overloaded to the point of annoyance. If you were to add just one or two more action stars, then the entire movie might have crumpled under the weight. As it stands, it is just barely hanging in there.

There are a couple things that save this movie, though. They are Antonio Banderas and Mel Gibson. Banderas plays an obnoxious, overly talkative Spanish war veteran, who wants nothing more than to join the Expendables, and even attempts to manipulate his way in on multiple occasions. With his quick-witted banter, Banderas never misses a beat, and his exchanges with other, more serious characters often provides the best humor of the movie. Gibson, on the other hand, is ruthlessly coy, playing one of the darker roles that he has stepped into in his later career. He is disloyal and selfish, basically the polar opposite of Stallone’s character. Their interactions (especially one particularly intense conversation) are often the highlight of the movie.

For the other performances, Arnold is, well, Arnold, even managing to drop a couple of his trademark one-liners into the movie (Hint: there is a helicopter involved). Stallone is his usual grunty self, while Harrison Ford, who at first seems to be the gritty, serious boss, eventually lightens up and has his moments as well (Drummer is in the house). The newer team is mostly forgettable, with the possible exception of the only female member of the team, who easily holds her own despite being overwhelmingly outnumbered.

The final scene of “The Expendables 3” is exactly what you would ask for: the entire Expendables team is forced to take on insurmountable odds, making it appear hopeless that they could possibly make it. With quick cuts from one small battle to the next, it is at times hard to grasp just what is happening. There are also more than a few “Oh, come on!” moments. Really, why are the bad guys always such terrible shots? It is a sequence that is long, excessive, and silly. But I’d be lying to myself if I said I didn’t have fun with it.

It is this attitude that will determine your enjoyment of “The Expendables 3” (or lack thereof). Try not to take it too seriously, because it doesn’t take itself too seriously either. After all, you came here to watch your favorite action stars fighting alongside one another; in a loud, unrestrained, and completely over-the-top manner. Who wouldn’t want to see Mel Gibson fighting Sylvester Stallone? Or Arnold Schwarzenegger fighting alongside Jet Li? Or Jason Statham engaged in a knife-throwing contest with Wesley Snipes? In the end, it is hardcore action fans that will get the most enjoyment out of this movie. And while I might not have enjoyed it as much as them, at least I left the theater with a smile on my face. And that’s at least worth something.