“G.I. Joe: Retaliation” (2013) is the sequel to G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra (2009) and continues the story of the elite G.I. Joe military unit. Directed by Jon M. Chu and featuring a star-studded cast, including Dwayne Johnson, Bruce Willis, and Channing Tatum, the film is packed with high-octane action sequences but suffers from an uneven plot and underdeveloped characters. Here’s a detailed review:

Plot Overview

The story picks up after the events of The Rise of Cobra. The G.I. Joe team is framed for a crime they didn’t commit and most of the squad is wiped out in an attack led by the villainous Zartan, who has infiltrated the U.S. government while disguised as the President (Jonathan Pryce). The surviving Joes, led by Roadblock (Dwayne Johnson), must team up with the original G.I. Joe, General Joe Colton (Bruce Willis), to expose the conspiracy and stop Cobra from unleashing a global threat involving nuclear weapons.

Performances

Dwayne Johnson, as Roadblock, is the clear lead of the film, and he brings his signature charisma and physicality to the role. His presence alone elevates many of the film’s action sequences, and he’s believable as both a leader and a warrior. Channing Tatum, reprising his role as Duke, plays a much smaller part than expected, which might disappoint fans of his character.

Bruce Willis appears as General Joe Colton, the “original” Joe, but his role feels more like a cameo, and while his presence adds star power, the character doesn’t add much to the plot or action. Other cast members, like Adrianne Palicki (Lady Jaye) and D.J. Cotrona (Flint), do their best with thinly written roles, but they often feel sidelined. Jonathan Pryce, playing both the real President and the villainous Zartan posing as the President, has fun with the dual role and provides some of the film’s more entertaining moments.

Action and Visuals

The film’s biggest strength is its action, which is relentless and often impressive. Jon M. Chu, who previously directed dance-centric films (Step Up), brings a fast-paced, energetic style to the action scenes. One standout sequence is a thrilling, acrobatic battle on the side of a mountain involving Snake Eyes (Ray Park) and Storm Shadow (Byung-Hun Lee), which showcases inventive choreography and is one of the film’s most visually striking moments.

The film’s visual effects are competent, but the reliance on CGI for large-scale explosions and futuristic tech sometimes makes the action feel less grounded. Still, the film delivers the bombastic spectacle that fans of the G.I. Joe brand might expect, with plenty of guns, gadgets, and military hardware on display.

Story and Writing

Where G.I. Joe: Retaliation falters is in its writing and storytelling. The plot is simplistic and filled with clichés, centering around yet another nuclear threat that lacks real urgency or stakes. The political intrigue involving Zartan disguised as the President could have been an interesting angle, but it’s handled in a superficial way, and the narrative moves from one set piece to the next without much depth or character development.
The film also tries to balance its tone between serious military action and lighthearted fun, but the mix often feels awkward. The attempts at humor, particularly from Bruce Willis, don’t always land, and the dialogue can be corny or uninspired.

Themes

G.I. Joe: Retaliation is primarily focused on action and doesn’t delve deeply into thematic material, but it does touch on ideas of loyalty, leadership, and revenge. Roadblock’s personal journey to avenge the death of his comrades provides some emotional weight, though it’s not explored in a meaningful way. The film is more concerned with delivering spectacle than with exploring its characters’ motivations or inner lives.

Reception and Legacy

Upon its release, G.I. Joe: Retaliation received mixed reviews from critics. While many praised the action sequences and Dwayne Johnson’s performance, the film was criticized for its shallow plot, thin characters, and reliance on special effects over substance. Despite this, the film performed well at the box office, grossing over $375 million worldwide, significantly outperforming its predecessor. Fans of the G.I. Joe franchise appreciated the film’s more serious tone compared to the first movie, but it didn’t do much to elevate the series as a whole.

Conclusion

G.I. Joe: Retaliation is a decent, mindless action film that excels in spectacle but lacks depth in storytelling and character development. It’s the type of movie that works best if you go in expecting little more than explosive action and cool fight scenes. Dwayne Johnson’s strong performance and the impressive set pieces make it an entertaining watch for fans of the genre, but for those looking for a more meaningful or coherent narrative, it falls short.