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Review: G.I. Joe Retaliation

By Christine Petralia

Image courtesy of Paramount Pictures

March 31, 2013


This Joe film, based off the toys and comic franchise, picks up where the 2009 film left off. For those who haven’t seen the first, like myself, there is a nice little wrap up at the beginning to fill in the gaps.

Cobra Commander (Luke Bracey) is still locked away and the Joes are relaxing at home. However, Zartan (Arnold Vosloo) has captured the president and is impersonating him in order to not only set up the G.I. Joes, but also to destroy them. He accuses the team of stealing a nuclear warhead, while at the same time, sends troops to attack their camp. Most of the team is gone and the remaining three, Roadblock (Dwayne Johnson), Lady Jaye (Adrianne Palicki) and Flint (D. J. Cotrona), are forced to figure out what is going on in order to save the world.



While the three seek safety, Storm Shadow (Lee Byung-hun) and ex-Joe Firefly (Ray Stevenson) rescue Cobra Commander. However, Storm Shadow is severely burned. Cobra Commander sends him to the Himalayas to heal quickly.



Upon learning that he is alive, the Blind Master (RZA) sends Snake Eyes (Ray Parker) and his apprentice Jinx (Elodie Yung) to capture Storm Shadow so he can answer to the murder of his uncle, the Hard Master. In an amazing scene, involving a lot of ropes and high-flying through the mountains, they are successful, and learn that Zartan was responsible for the Hard Master’s death. Storm Shadow agrees to join them to avenge his uncle’s death.



Back in the U.S. the three Joes are holing up in Roadblock’s old neighborhood and are investigating the attack on their camp, as well as what is going on with the president. They reach out to former Joe, General Joseph Colton (Bruce Willis), who gives them information to infiltrate a presidential dinner, where they confirm that Zartan is impersonating the POTUS.



Soon, Storm Shadow, Jinx and Snake Eyes are in the U.S. to help the Joes. After Storm Shadow explains Cobra’s plan to everyone, the six join forces with Colton and his crew to infiltrate a meeting between six nuclear nations in order to stop Cobra and Zartan from essentially destroying the world.



It’s a pretty simple plot, though it may seem complicated due to the characters. But truly, this could have been any ‘save the world from the bad guys’ film and it would have been just as good, it just so happens that it is about G.I. Joes. It’s a shame that Channing Tatum’s onscreen time was so short lived as he reprised his role as Duke, however, that seems to be the trend when he makes serious or action films. I guess he should stick to rom-com, stripper films in order to get more face time. On the other hand, Willis and Johnson get a lot of face time and are pretty good. But, I fear that Willis almost mocks himself in every film, calling himself old or making reference to his age. Not really sure if it’s all in good fun, or if he really feels that way about himself. Either way, it makes for slight comedic relief in the action films he’s in.



It was also a shame how the studios pushed back the film’s release date almost a year. But I heard it was to re-master it for 3D. I didn’t see it in 3D and don’t really think it’s necessary to waste the extra money on it.

All in all, it was a pretty entertaining film and I’ve been told it was much better than the first. See it in the big screen for awesome fighting scenes and big explosions.

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All works created by Christine McGrath; Centereach, New York  All Rights Reserved 2024

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