For everyone who rolled their eyes even as they were secretly digging 2009's G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra as a guilty pleasure (not to mention giving it big box-office clout), this rejiggered sequel will probably prove irresistible. Hasbro and Hollywood have successfully created a franchise based on toy action figures that were introduced almost 50 years ago, now featuring all the guns, glory, and apocalyptic politics of the modern age. Along with that come the heights of preposterous circumstances and childish fantasy that any $200-plus million action movie requires.... The video game quality and action figure/comic book childishness notwithstanding, G.I. Joe: Retaliation is anything but childlike with its incalculable body count, physical carnage, and extreme fetishisation of violence and techno armaments. Feeling cocky from their vanquishing the evil Cobra organisation in the first movie, the Joes are all the more ready to save the world from itself, making clandestine forays into North Korea and Pakistan with deadly precision. (The dizzying assault on a Pakistani weapons base is genuinely spectacular.) What they don't know is that Cobra has been lying in wait, and that the free world's Commander in Chief (Jonathan Pryce, having a fine time) is being impersonated by the nefarious Cobra operative Zartan (Arnold Vosloo). In the guise of a benevolent leader seeking world nuclear disarmament, "President" Zartan discredits and wipes out all but three of the Joe force. Fortunately Dwayne Johnson is among them, and every moviegoer knows he's pretty much an army of one. The script is so whiz-bang fast and full of impossibly extravagant CGI-enhanced eye-poppery that any synopsis would be akin to, well, 10-year-olds smashing three-inch action figures into each other and making up a narrative to go along with their guttural sound effects. And isn't that a pretty good description of escapism? Mention must be made of an incredible sustained set piece staged on sheer Himalayan cliffs where sword-wielding ninjas soar on ropes in an elaborate choreography that is as inventive as it is thrilling. The finale explodes at historic Fort Sumter, of all places, where the faceless Cobra Commander showdowns with the revivified Joes during "The President's" bogus disarmament summit. The cast is adequate in portraying good or bad real-life action figures with funny names and unbreakable bodies. Bruce Willis seems very happy chomping in to a glorified cameo as the retired Joe commander. Though the Joes carry the day and glory can be claimed, it should be noted that a sequel is teed up perfectly, especially in light of the fact that Cobra pretty much succeeds in its world-domination plan by obliterating the whole of London and its eight million inhabitants. It is the most extreme of money shots, rendered with loving detail; but don't worry, kids, it's only a movie. --Ted Fry [show more]
Even without knowing anything about GI Joe, it's quite clear from the trailers and the cast involved that this was going to be a high octane action fest. It's the kind of movie that you go into knowing exactly what to expect, and luckily G.I. Joe: Retaliation delivers on all counts. A sequel to the lukewarm Rise Of Cobra from 2009, Retaliation looks to fix everything wrong with that movie as well as up the ante on fights, explosions and all the staples of an action genre movie. Throw in stars such as Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson and Bruce Willis, and suddenly you've got a movie worth watching.
The Rock has carved out a fantastic niche as the modern day Schwarzenegger (complete with the occasional dodgy comedy) and he gives one of his best performances here. It's clear that he has a fondness for the franchise and this enthusiasm comes through in every scene. Bruce Willis on the other hand is quite wasted in this movie so if you're simply coming in as a 'die hard' fan, you might leave a little disappointed. With a few other familiar faces such as Channing Tatum (slightly more clothed than in Magic Mike), Jonathan Pryce, Adrianne Palicki (Friday Night Lights) and Ray Park (Darth Maul in Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace) you've got a good number of stars to make Retaliation feel more of a legit blockbuster.
Whether you were a fan of the original movie or you have never seen it, you'll easily jump into Retaliation. It has some nice continuity from Cobra, with Duke (Tatum) getting his own team of Joes, but it still makes sense if this is your first experience of the franchise. While there is a clear attempt at storyline, it's all fairly irrelevant. What stands out is the strong fight scenes - especially involving Snake Eyes (Park) - and some great nods to the toy series with some extravagant vehicle chases and blow-ups. Palicki is a natural and deserves to be front and centre in future movies in her career, with a great look and a vulnerability alongside her kick ass nature. Park is a physical specimen that does things others only dream of doing. As for The Rock - well, he has it down to a tee now and can almost do these movies with his eyes closed, though he clearly goes through strong regimes to get where he needs to be.
Often these kinds of franchises spawn unnecessary straight-to-video releases that fly under the radar, but the studio decided to go all out with a strong movie and cinematic release for Retaliation. It speaks volumes to their faith in the franchise, and with a number of stars on board they manage to deliver a significant improvement over the initial installment. It will never win an Oscar but if you're looking for a switch-your-brain-off pizza night casual watch then this is the movie for you. Sometimes you just need a good 90 minute slot where you watch things explode and people punch each other, and a nice feel good ending. Do you get that here? Well that would be spoiling it..
With a few deleted scenes and minimal documentary features, the home release of G.I. Joe: Retaliation is middling at best. Yes it's an extended cut but there wasn't much need for anything additional. The Blu-ray is certainly the medium of choice however as the visuals look stunning. Turn up the volume loud and enjoy the sound mix of bombastic soundtrack and explosions from every corner. This is a movie born for the cinema but translates well enough to a home environment with the right set up. If action movies are your addiction then this is absolutely something you need to pick up.
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Please note this is a region B Blu-ray and will require a region B or region free Blu-ray player in order to play. The greatest American Heroes are back and they've been set up to take the fall for a terrible crime they didn't commit. Now, the G.I. Joes must once again face their mortal enemy, Cobra, as well as dangerous new threats operating within the government. When all else fails, one option remains: Retaliation. Roadblock (Dwayne Johnson) leads a new team (including Channing Tatum and Bruce Willis) on this explosive adventure that critics are calling "unlike any action movie you've ever seen. A thrilling ride that leaves you wanting more!" Actors Channing Tatum, Bruce Willis, Dwayne Johnson, Adrianne Palicki, Ray Stevenson, Joseph Mazzello, Ray Park, Walton Goggins, RZA, Arnold Vosloo, Elodie Yung, Byung-hun Lee, Jonathan Pryce & D.J. Cotrona Director Jon M. Chu Year 2012 Languages English
Bruce Willis and Dwayne Johnson star in this action thriller sequel based on the range of Hasbro action figures. This time around, the G.I. Joe Team must fight to wrestle back control of the world from the Commander (Faran Tahir) and Cobra spy Zartan (Arnold Vosloo), last seen disguised as the President of the United States. Outnumbered and outgunned, the Joes must pull together a plan to expose the truth and stop Cobra from taking over the world before it is too late.
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