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| The Rock |
Mindless, jelly donut fun in the energetic "G.I. Joe" sequel
"G.I. Joe: Retaliation" is the sequel to the 2009 hit "G.I. Joe: The Rise of the Cobra" and no less energetic and ridiculous. The ubiquitous Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson stars in this 3D action film that's as mindless and ludicrous as they come but still filled with the same likable, gooey energy of jelly donut and about as smart as one. In this installment, the bad guys have overtaken the U.S. government, with Zartan (Arnold Vosloo) impersonating the President (Jonathan Pryce) and working with Firefly (Ray Stevenson) and the Cobra Commander (Luke Bracey) to overtake the world. After nearly being destroyed, it's up to a remnant of the G.I. Joe's, Roadblock (The Rock), Flint (D.J. Cotrona), Lady Jaye (Adrianne Palicki) with special help from General Colton (Bruce Willis) and Storm Shadow (Lee Byung-hun) to save the day. Filled with an energetic silliness that will please fans of the original hit film and those clamoring for an action film this time of year, "G.I. Joe: Retaliation" is directed by Jon Chu, who directed a couple of the "Step Up" films and directs here with the same shallowness, lack of subtlety and flash of the music videos he's known for. Delayed from last summer to add 3D, which doesn't really help or hurt the film, I won't be a spoilsport about it, but Channing Tatum's role is very minimal (he disappears in a flash) and Willis' role comes very late in the film. As it is, the biggest star here is neither Willis, Tatum or The Rock, but lean and mean South Korean actor Byung-hun as Storm Shadow, who reprises his role from the first film and is by far the best fighter in the film. There's also truly one thrilling extended action scene midway through that essentially saves the film, involving Byung-hun and Snake Eyes (Ray Park), with much of the action taking place along the sides of snow-capped mountains and leaving you breathless for those few minutes. As for the rest of the film? Not so much. Much like the aforementioned jelly donut, "G.I. Joe: Retaliation" is strictly a fast-paced glob of silly entertainment fashioned for the masses. Go if you must, but leave your brain at the door.
Wes's Grade: C-
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