“G.I. Joe: Retaliation” is the sequel to 2009’s “G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra” and is once again based on the classic Hasbro action figures. “Retaliation” was supposed to come out on June 29, 2012, but just weeks before Paramount decided to delay the film for nine months, even after they had spent millions on marketing, including a Super Bowl ad. The film’s director, Jon M. Chu (who also helmed Justin Bieber’s documentary “Never Say Never” and two “Step Up” movies) was reportedly “shell-shocked” with that decision.
Paramount gave two reasons for the delay: #1 – The studio realized that adding 3D to the film would increase profits especially with the overseas box office. #2 – Apparently there was a negative reaction from audiences at preview screenings last year when Channing Tatum’s character “Duke”, who starred in the original, was killed-off early in the film. So re-shoots took place to expand Tatum role. Unfortunately, (Spoiler Alert!) the new scenes are both surprising and disappointing.
“The Rise of Cobra” was a fun movie. Yes, mindless “little boys playing with action figures come to life” kinda fun, but fun nonetheless. And the same goes for this non-stop, action-packed sequel, at least for the first of its two hours. Then the overwhelming amount of explosions, fight scenes, chases, just bury the film. It’s simply the case of too much of a good thing. All the elements are here: Dwayne Johnson as the leader of the pack, Bruce Willis as THE Original Joe, some nasty bad guys, including the main villain – a look-a-like of the President of the United States (who is discovered because he says “sorta” instead of “like”) and a whole lotta fight sequences.
In fact, “Retaliation” is part of a long line of “Blow ’em Up / Shoot ’em Up / Wild Action movies this spring and summer, several involving the President in Danger / White House Takeover plotlines. They include “Olympus Has Fallen”, “World War Z”, “White House Down”, “Red 2”, “Fast and Furious 6” and “Pain & Gain”. And, yes, Johnson is in all of these (kidding, he’s just in the last two).
As for “G.I. Joe: Retaliation”, outside of the action there isn’t much to keep your interest. There’s no suspense, thanks to a story that’s so obvious and basic that a six-year-old could figure out what’s going to happen. Just because it’s based on a kids toy doesn’t mean the script should be written at a 3rd grade level. And frankly, most 3rd graders have more imagination that what we get here.
Johnson is the star, but he doesn’t dominate screen time, and many of the lesser characters get their opportunity to shine. Most don’t. And Willis’ Joe is really underdeveloped. HE IS JOE! THE JOE! I wanna know EVERYTHING about him! The fact that he’s retired and has a lot of guns hidden all over his house isn’t enough.
The positives: Paramount did actually do something right with the reported $5-$15 million it spent for the 3D conversion. The effect looks great and is used well. And there are some appropriately corny but funny lines. However, even those get tiresome by the end.
“G.I. Joe: Retaliation” is rated PG-13 for the action/violence, language. It’s appropriate for kids 11 and up. Because I enjoyed the first one so much, and because we had to wait nearly a year to see this one, my expectations were high. As it turns-out, way too high.
On The Official LCJ Report Card, “G.I. Joe: Retaliation” gets a C-. The good news is: if there is a third “G.I. Joe”, it shouldn’t be too difficult to top this one.