Release Date: Mar 28, 2013
Runtime: 1 hr. 39 min.
Director: Jon M. Chu
Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Channing Tatum, Adrianne Palicki, D.J. Cotrona, Lee Byung Hun, Jonathan Pryce, Ray Park, Bruce Willis.
Sequels are typically excuses for profitable second chances. Even for those as trivial as action figure heroes bred back in the 60's. But is it still a sequel if the main cast is essentially obliterated? That's for us to deduce and, honestly, not care about. "G.I. Joe" gets the evasive makeover with a new director and cast, sustaining few characters while dispatching the rest. Adding to the group is Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, who apparently has joined every franchise out there within arm's reach. Continuing from the conclusion of "Rise of Cobra," "Retaliation" is, for all intents and purposes, a sequel. Sticking to the same foolproof formula of explosions and gunfights, it's a no brainer when it comes to full-fledged action over any given substance. The icing on the cake is the array of ninjas, high-flying and deadly as any kid's fantasy. Yet through it all, the plot seems more lackadaisical than the first, feeling disjointed and cheesier than already could be imagined. Sure, "Cobra" was no award-winner in its quest for world domination, but it was entertaining to say the least and fun in a blameless sort of way. "Retaliation," alternatively, seems vexing at times, trying too hard to be contemporary in its wit and humor. And despite the commemorative introduction of the infamous Cobra Commander, his actual presence is minimal during the hostile takeover. Most will argue that this is a movie designed virtually for the kid at heart, not to be taken seriously because, hey, it's cool. But given the track record of recent Hasbro productions, I'd rather take my chances with the next "Transformers" sequel.
Rating: 2 stars
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