You can all breathe easier now, The Expendables has been rated R.

There has been much discussion on whether or not Lionsgate was able and willing to send out the $50 million action-fest into wide release with an age-limiting R-rating. The several test screenings (with their mixed word-of-mouth) and the overtly green-band trailers led many to wonder if the 1980s action homage would end up being edited to a PG-13. But fear no more. The Expendables has been officially been rated R, for "strong action and bloody violence throughout, and for some language". Now if Lionsgate could just cut a trailer that would convince us that the film isn't going to be 80% set-up with only the final reel containing actual action/adventure. I'm getting the feeling that this one's going to play more like Commando than Rambo: First Blood Part II.

Scott Mendelson