A Chick's View of 'The Expendables'

Most men seem to think that women don't like action flicks. A good comedian can get a lot of mileage out of women and chick flicks. The truth is that women like a good kick ass film too, and that's exactly what The Expendables is.

Starring Sylvester Stallone, who is also the creative force behind this project, and also starring Mr. Transporter himself, Jason Statham, along with Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Eric Roberts, and Steve Austin, this is the best action film I've seen this summer.

Male Attributes

Women appreciate the obvious male attributes like big biceps and washboard abs. They also like the male camaraderie that's the foundation of many action flicks, and they absolutely adore a man who will do anything to protect his woman.

Put all this together, and you have the reasons why The Expendables reign supreme for the second weekend in a row here in North America. Of course, it's got a decent story, some stellar fight scenes, good characterization, and solid action and pacing.

What's In It For Women?

For women, this flick isn't about muscle-bound heroes, and it isn't about the homage given to previous action films that made all these men household names.

It's about the mythic buddy relationships because we women like that kind of loyalty in our men. We admire men who go up against overwhelming forces because it's the right thing to do. We love that attitude of never leaving a man behind.

Man As Protector

For a few thousand years, it's been embedded in our genetic code that a strong man will protect his woman and his offspring. So women are programmed to be attracted to strong males. That little bit of information is why romance novels, especially historical and paranormal romances, are so very popular with readers.

Every woman in the theater cheered, along with my daughter and me, during the scene when Jason Statham returns to his girlfriend (Charisma Carpenter) who had dumped him. When he sees her battered face, in a too-calm, deadly voice, he asks, "Where is he?"

The next scene is Statham beating the crap out of the man responsible for the bruises on her face.

Primitive Emotions Beat Social Evolution

Sure, we're all evolved in today's world, but there's still something viscerally attractive about a man who'll protect his woman - even when the woman has rejected him.

That, ladies and gentleman, is why women will pay to see the right kind of action film. Girls, this is one of them so if you haven't seen it, head to the nearest theater.