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Friday, March 29, 2013

MOVIE REVIEW: G.I. JOE: RETALIATION 3D



Veteran dance-film director Jon Chu takes a crack at G.I. Joe in this sequel to Stephen Sommers' blockbuster 2009 film. Dwayne Johnson stars as Roadblock in the sequel, with Channing Tatum returning as Duke, the leader of the Joes, and Ray Park joining them as mute ninja Snake Eyes. Bruce Willis, Ray Stevenson, Adrianne Palicki, Jonathan Pryce, Lee Byung-hun, Elodie Yung, and RZA co-star. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, Rovi

Director: Jon M. Chu

Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Channing Tatum, D.J. Cotrona, Adrianne Palicki, Jonathan Pryce.

Release Date: Mar 28, 2013

Rated PG-13 for Intense Seq of Combat Violence, Brief Sensuality, Language and Martial Arts Action

Runtime: 1 hr. 39 min.

Genres: Action/Adventure

Review:

I’m still trying to remember when I’ve ever had the desire to watch a sequel to a movie I avoided like the plague. G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra looked like garbage and everything I read after the fact confirmed that fact. Unlike Transformers, whom I loved as a child, G.I. Joe never connected with me as a kid, even if it was pretty much the same cartoon except one starred robots. Regardless, the trailer for this sequel looked like stupid fun and thankfully it’s incredibly stupid but fun in a toy box kind of way. The nonsensical plot is almost besides the point here. This movie is about highly choreographed and staged action and it works for the most part. There’s very little if any depth to any characters and the actors are all aware they’re in a silly movie. The cast, led by a very manly muscled Dwayne (The Rock) Johnson provides his usual charisma with an over the top delivery that appropriate for the film. Channing Tatum has a brief role in the film, disappearing quickly and quietly. Adrianne Palicki, the woman that would have been the new Wonder Woman, has a noticeable sass to go along with a seemingly endless supply of beauty products. Ray Stevenson, a personal favorite from HBO’s Rome, has a small role but still leaves an impression even with one of the worse southern accents in recent memory. Bruce Willis pops up because he has a little time on the set of RED 2 and continues his self parody tour with unabashed sincerity. It sounds like a mess and it is but it’s a fun mess especially when they stop trying to build a story or have the RZA try and act. That’s not what this film is about; it’s about 3D mountain climbing ninja fights which are surprisingly fun. The 3D, one of the better post conversion jobs, is spotty with some sequences like the aforementioned ninja fight working well and others coming off as too dark and jittery. It’s at best when the extreme action sequences take center stage something director Jon M. Chu obviously feels a lot more comfortable doing.

C+


12 comments:

  1. I almost posted a reference regarding my DANIEL RATING SCALE and would say it's a C+ as well :)

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  2. "Adrianne Palicki.... has a noticeable sass to go along with a seemingly endless supply of beauty products"

    Great review, Daniel.

    B2B.

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  3. At least it is better than the first, although it would be difficult to make it much worse. I was actually kind of a fan of the old show when I was a kid, so was hoping that they would finally make it into a fun movie.

    -James

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    Replies
    1. That's something I forgot to mention, I think this movie should make fans of the old cartoon a lot to smile about. Lots of nods and winks here and there and it really feels like a live action episode of the old cartoon.

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  4. Replies
    1. Pretty much Candice, it's really silly but some parts are kind of fun.

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  5. Haven't seen the first one. not interested in the second one. Could Bruce Willis stop starring in mediocre action flicks, pleeze?

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    Replies
    1. He's collecting paychecks left and right man.

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  6. G.I Joe doesn't exist over here which is a pity as there seems to be lots of characters and potential for decent films.

    The Rock and his manly muscles are the best thing in the film!

    It was enjoyable enough and I will show up for part3 without needing too much persuading!

    K :-)

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    Replies
    1. There are as many GI Joe characters as Transformers, it's nearly endless. It was fun enough for me to be curious about the 3rd part and still have no interest in the first one :-)

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