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

Mostly it is said that comic or book adaptations are never successful and the G.I. Joe series has proved the same. Neither the original nor the sequel managed to create an impact on the big screen.  So, if you have watched the movie G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra and were disappointed, this one is bound to depress you further. The latest offering from the toy line merchandise is all about combat fatigues, ninja battles and nuclear weapons.

The good forces, the Joes, who are the protectors of the United States, are fighting more evil forces, which are out to unleash nuclear weapons on the world, this time joined by their former enemies, the Cobras. Zartan, whose role is played by Arnold Voosloo, returns from G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra (2009). The Cobra chief has become more evil and is out to destroy the world with nuclear weapons. This time, however, the Cobras and Joes come together to fight their common enemy Zartan.

The plot:  

Zartan conspires against the Joes, lays a clever trap for them. He accuses them of taking nuclear weapons from Pakistan and masquerading as the president of the United States. Trouble begins for the Joes. Suddenly they are attacked by Zartan in a military seige.

Starring Bruce Willis, Channing Tatum, Arnold Voosloo, Dwayne Johnson, and Jonathan Bryce in lead roles, Zartan is successful in eliminating almost all of the team, except for Road Block, Flint and Lady Jaye. Duke, played by Channing Tatum, is one of the casualties of the attack. Amidst all this chaos, rivals of the Joes, Storm Shadow and Firefly, rescue Cobra’s commander from a prison in Germany. During the mission, Storm Shadow gets badly hurt and goes to recuperate in a Himalayan temple. In the original G.I. Joe movie that was released in 2009, Storm Shadow plays a ninja bodyguard to the Cobra commander.

The plot goes awry when you see that Storm Shadow is being hunted by the Arshikage clan’s blind master who wants to seek revenge for the death of the Hard Master in Japan. The Snake Eyes and Jinx are ordered by the master to capture Storm Shadow. The only interesting part of the movie is shot in the hills where the fight between the ninja warriors ensues. The Storm Shadow loses out to the Snake Eyes and Jinx who take him to the blind master. This is where the twist comes. Zartan is the real murderer.

Meanwhile, the three Joes, Flint, Roadblock and Lady Jaye, vow to avenge the attack and come back to the country. They find an underground room for their operations. At the same time, they hear an announcement from Zartan to the media that in the absence of the Joes, it will be the Cobras who will be the new protectors of the country. They somehow deduce that someone has been masquerading as the president. Based on her suspicions, Lady Jaye somehow finds out that it is none other than their enemy Zartan who has been playing a game all along with them. She secretly manages to collect the DNA sample from the president and comes to know it is Zartan.

After this, Zartan is seen hosting a world summit, and inviting various leaders across the globe and showing off his supremacy to them by blasting off London, simply at the touch of a button. He threatens the world leaders, saying he will deactivate and destroy all their nuclear weapons using his secret orbital weapon. But, Storm Shadow enters the place and betrays him, revealing Zartan’s evil side to all leaders. Meanwhile, a fight begins where the rest of the Joes successfully manage to disable Zartan’s deadly weapons. Mysteriously, both the Commander as well as Storm Shadow vanishes during the battle. Later, the Joes are felicitated and honored for their bravery by the real president.

Overall, the second movie made in 3D from this great comic franchise has disappointed millions of fans who expected much more as well as looked forward to watching their favorite comic characters come alive on the screen. So, if are going to watch the movie because you saw Bruce Willis, Dwayne ‘Rock’ Johnson and Channing Tatum in the stellar star cast, then be prepared for some disappointment. It appears they were just chosen by director Jon Chu for a mere guest appearance or a cameo. They vanish even before you can register their presence in the movie. Script writers Reese and Wernick could have done more to spice up the script.

And in case, you want to preserve the original images of your favorite characters of the comic series, it is better you don’t watch the movie. It will only spoil your mood. And if you are dying to see your favorite heroes, better watch the older movies. There will be lesser heartbreak!