Quick Review: G.I. Joe: Retaliation (2013)

G.I. JOE: RETALIATION

BY CHRISTOPHER HASKELL
MARCH 29, 2013

With an unexpected turn in the first act, “G.I. Joe: Retaliation” leaves little with which to work. Storm Shadow (played by Byung-hun Lee) steals the show even though his return is unexplained (see the first film). The story’s structure is shaky, adding a layer of padding to each punch, leaving no impact whatsoever. Dwayne Johnson carries the action bits willfully, but even those don’t add up to much. Adrianna Palicki displays how gorgeous she is but does little to go beyond her appearance. At the same time, Bruce Willis is just a name with a recognizable face and “old guy” mentalities and dialogue. Diehard fans of the Hasbro toys may get a kick out of this, but otherwise, the film drops down to a completely average action film, losing the appeal of even the previous G.I. Joe film.

RELEASE DATE
March 28, 2013

DIRECTOR
Jon M. Chu

WRITTEN BY
Rhett Reese
Paul Wernick

BASED ON
G.I. Joe
by Hasbro

STUDIO
Paramount Pictures

PG-13
(for intense sequences of combat violence and martial arts action throughout, and for brief sensuality and language)

ACTION
ADVENTURE
SCI-FI
THRILLER
110 minutes