G.I. JOE: RETALIATION – The Review

The Joes are back.

After the Pakastani President is assassinated, insurgents seize the country’s nuclear arsenal and the Joes are sent in to retrieve the codes. After Duke, Roadblock and the Joes are ambushed by Cobra forces, retaliation is set in motion. In director Jon M. Chu’s 3D sequel to the 2009 movie, the team has to take on the COBRA enemy forces and expose an imposter in the oval office.

While the Cobra Commander is set on becoming ruler over all the Earth while causing global destruction through with his “Zeus” weapon, G.I. JOE: RETALIATION also focuses on the relationship between Snake Eyes and his arch-enemy Storm Shadow, who was presumed dead at the end of RISE OF COBRA. When we first meet Snake Eyes (Ray Park) again, he is on a search for peace within himself after retreating to the Arashikage to train with the Blind Master (RZA). Once there, Snake Eyes learns that Storm Shadow is still alive and is set to the task of bringing him to the Blind Master to face judgment and accountability for his actions.

Without spoiling the rest of this thrill ride, the characters in G.I. Joe Retaliation definitely live up to the iconic GI Joe soldiers reputation for heroism and patriotism.

Returning from the first installment is Duke, who leads his team with confidence and pride and will do anything to protect the soldiers under his care. Returning to the role as the all-American soldier is Channing Tatum, who brings ease to a character who will appeal to a varied audience.  Channing is an everyman and we can relate to Duke.

While Duke is the head of the elite unit, the spine and backbone of the group is Roadblock. Dwayne Johnson – an action-figure himself –  plays Roadblock, a mountain of a man who helps lead the team with experience, honor and an unbreakable dedication to his unit and country. Tatum and Johnson work really well together. Duke gives the commands, serves as the quarterback, and relies on Roadblock’s experience and strengths to back him up.

Another well-known G.I. Joe character – Flint – becomes a part of the team. Chu found the soldier in newcomer D.J. Cotrona, who has the right combination of strength, charm and slight cockiness. He holds his own alongside his co-stars.

A major point of the film involves the fate of the United States Presidency and the highjacking of the Oval Office. If you go back and watch the 2009 film, you will remember the President suspiciously whistling Zartan’s signature tune at the end. Yep – evil forces have taken over the White House and have somehow gotten inside the Presidency. Since his turn in JUMPIN’ JACK FLASH (1986), I’ve been a huge fan of Jonathan Pryce. The actor once again plays the American President, but this time is given the duty of playing the real American President and the villain posing as the leader of the free world. Pryce plunges into it head on and with a lot of gusto. I got a kick out of watching him play good vs evil.

Enlisted by Cobra to initially help break Cobra Commander out of prison (run by warden Walton Goggins), the film’s best baddie is undoubtedly the villainous Firefly. Set on a mission for global domination, the sadistic Firefly thinks of destruction and art as one and the same.  In his own words, Firefly loves to make things go “boom before 9 am.” It’s worth noting that Ray Stevenson’s portrayal as the cold-hearted killer with a flare for the arts, makes for a really interesting, albeit crazy Firefly. He’s a very a believable threat to Dwayne Johnson’s Roadblock.

Director Jon M. Chu brings some of the best Hasbro characters to the screen as well re-introducing familiar one to the G.I. Joe enthusiasts. It’s certainly not the G.I. JOE I was expecting. It’s better! He gives the audience these multi-layered characters and treats them with a fair amount of gravity. For the ever-growing women who embrace the action genre (hand raised), I have to applaud Chu for introducing two female characters to the franchise as well as strong role models for young girls.

One is LADY JAYE (Adrianne Palicki). The only female in the squad and never one to back down or be intimidated, LADY JAYE is an integral part of the unit who fights alongside her male counterparts with equal passion and strength. She is an expert marksman as well as one of the more intelligent characters in the movie.

We also meet Jinx – the first female ninja warrior and cousin of Storm Shadow. A well-known character within the world of G.I. JOE, she is the princess of the Arashikage world, but doesn’t want the title. She wants to fight, but has always felt put in the corner. The filmmakers found their ninja in actress Elodie Yung (THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO).

Lastly, it was thrilling to see Bruce Willis become the original G.I. JOE himself, Joe Colton, alongside Johnson’s Roadblock. Willis takes on the heart and spirit of the original 12” action figure and is perfect for the role. Joe Colton is a huge presence in the soul of G.I. JOE.

Being a fan of the 80’s action films, as well as Johnson and Willis, I loved seeing these two-seasoned icons fighting side-by-side. Plus in a G.I. Joe geek-out moment, watch out for where Dwayne Johnson, Bruce Willis and Snake Eyes kick butt in a scene together.

Special mention goes to the behind-the-scenes talent of cinematographer Stephen Windon (THE FAST & THE FURIOUS), costume designer Louise Mingenbach (X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE),  production designer Andrew Menzies (MUNICH, AVATAR), stunt coordinator Steve Ritzi, fight coordinator Thomas Dupont and former Navy Seal and military technical consultant Harry Humphries. Writers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick (ZOMBIELAND) wrote the screenplay.

G.I.JOE: RETALIATION is everything I hoped it would be… and even better in 3D. It has spectacular action sequences where characters head down a snow-covered mountainside on a zip line while being chased by hordes of red ninjas wielding swords. Fans of the G.I. JOE comics will also welcome the ninja’s sais, the deadly sharp-bladed weapons.

Characters also live up to their action figure movements, such as the well known Kung-Fu grip, while giving Roadblock free reign to deliver sleeper holds and body slams. The film is full of mondo vehicles. We get a new version of Hasbro’s Cobra Hiss Tank outfitted with rocket launchers as well as the Cobra Air Boat capable of launching across dry land. With all this fun happening in the movie, I could’ve done with another half hour.

Watching these giant toys and action figures come to life is what every fan boy and girl will want to see. G.I. JOE: RETALIATION will make you feel like a kid all over again.

4.75 out of 5 stars

PHOTOS:

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