Emma Heming, Bruce Willis, Rumer Willis and Jayson Blair at the Premiere of G.I. Joe: Retaliation at TCL Chinese Theatre on March 28 (Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
This film is a beautifully orchestrated symphony of on-screen action violence filled with an overdose of guns, bullets, machines, blades, swords, mayhem, manhood, and in the case of Bruce Willis’s character, a bit of “cholesterol” as well.
GI Joe: Retaliation picks up where its predecessor GI Joe: Rise of the Cobra left off, with the global-annihilation-seeking Cobra organisation now determined to free their commander captured in the first film.
GI Joes are part of the world of toy soldiers (Hasbro), comic books and animated series. Now young boys who sought to mimic the sound of toy soldiers (like GI Joes) in battle will hear these Dhishum! Bhoosh! Whoosh! Bhroom! noises on the big screen.
This film is essentially for these boys who loved their toys.
GI Joe: Retaliation, as a science-fiction action movie, does justice to both: it provides a multitude of breathtaking stunts, death-defying action sequences, and over-the-top special effects, while delivering what audiences expected: a physical combat, not an emotional meltdown.
The story follows a top-notch US elite strike force (GI Joes) and their fight for survival when their arch nemesis, Cobra, plants its own man as a look-alike impostor of the US President who orders Cobra soldiers to eradicate the earth of GI Joes.
In a classic battle of good and evil, the last remaining GI Joes—headed by Roadblock (Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson) and aided by the “original Joe” (Bruce Willis as General Joseph Colton)— battle the Cobras and the ‘fake’ government against all odds, saving the world and providing audiences with the ultimate thrill-ride.
The movie’s strongest attractions are its masterfully executed action sequences – one particular sequence shot in the icy mountains with Ninjas flying and battling it out with swords is simply breathtaking!
In-fact, the high-tech gadgets used make the James Bond and Mission Impossible franchises look like school projects.
The film’s ensemble cast includes Dwayne Johnson, Bruce Willis, Channing Tatum, Arnold Vosloo, Luke Bracey, Ray Park, DJ Cotrona, Lee Byung-hun, Adrianne Palicki and Jonathan Pryce.
Dwayne Johnson’s name in the movie, Roadblock, is very appropriate; he stands tall like a barricade in the path of Cobra’s desire for world domination.
Bruce Willis’ very brief appearance adds glamour and essence to the story without removing the focus from the other characters.
The only flaw is that Channing Tatum’s role doesn’t last long: the on-screen chemistry that he and Johnson share is splendid, and a few more scenes of them together would have added more subtle humor and the feeling of ‘bro-mance’ to the story.
Highly recommended for a guy’s day out! It’s a good idea to see GI Joe: Rise of the Cobra before seeing this: it will add depth to character realization and understanding of the story.
GI Joe: Retaliation released in Australian cinemas on March 28.
