A Cobra operative infiltrates the White House, impersonating the President and issuing an order to eliminate the G.I. Joe team. Only a few survive. Now, Roadblock (Dwayne Johnson) and his diminished squad must uncover Cobra’s conspiracy and save the world.
When your film is based on a line of 3.75-inch plastic action figures, creating a cinematic masterpiece or breaking new ground in filmmaking is probably not your primary goal. No one expects “G.I. Joe: Retaliation” to compete with Oscar-winning films. Like its source material, it’s only expected to entertain. No matter how nonsensical “Retaliation” may seem, viewers should leave the theater feeling at least slightly more cheerful. However, the sequel adopts a much more serious tone than its predecessor – the characters seem to be permanently clad in lead-lined armor.
The Plot Thickens
The film assumes you’re familiar with the premise, as the sequel picks up where the first film awkwardly left off. The most powerful position in the world has been seized by the sinister Cobra organization, who have replaced the U.S. President with a doppelganger. G.I. Joe retaliated by arresting two Cobra leaders – Destro (the one with the silver face) and Cobra Commander (the one with no face left, no longer played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt). Vaguely, there were other G.I. Joes, but they’re quickly eliminated and replaced with equally forgettable characters and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Johnson was expected to revive the franchise, but even for a titan like him, the task proves too daunting.
Missed Opportunities
“Retaliation” promises much but delivers too little. We’re introduced to Johnson’s character, Roadblock, as he banters with Duke Hauser (Channing Tatum), the only significant character returning from the first film. Their dialogue is lengthy and cringe-worthy, yet somehow, the two are amusing. In a comedic action film, this pairing would be perfect, but Tatum quickly disappears, leaving the grim Johnson alone. “The Rock” is an excellent choice for a blockbuster lead, but he needs supporting partners and humor to shine. Later, Bruce Willis appears as the G.I. Joe founder, offering another chance for a sparkling buddy-movie dynamic, but Willis’s screen time is also limited. It’s unclear why the film repeatedly reminds the audience of how funny it could have been.
Lackluster Direction
Director Jon M. Chu’s work is utterly lifeless. He extracts nothing from the decent cast, and his action sequences devolve into chaotic flailing.
But the strangest thing is that the film offers no enjoyment. The first “G.I. Joe” was at least laughably bad; the sequel retains all the silly ingredients of the original but completely lacks humor.