MOVIE REVIEW - GI Joe Retaliation

There are real movies, and then there are GI Joe movies.  I'm not bashing it, I'm just stating fact. Actually I'll go just the opposite way with this one.

It's not a real movie and it will be glad to tell you so early.  This movie makes zero attempt to try to convince you this is a possible scenario, or plot, and I respect that.  This of course is another in a series of movies based o the old Hasbro toy, GI Joe's.  Although there is no mention of the "Kung-Fu Grip" in this movie, but there is ton ninja fighting.

In this installment, the Joe's are attacked and almost wiped out by our own military, because they are thought to be traitors.  Cobra Command (Joe's arch enemy) has taken over the U.S. Presidency with an impostor, and he directed the Joe's be wiped out. (In case you don't know, the Joe's are the worlds most elite fighting force for good) The goal here is for Cobra Command to take over the world with a new age of weaponry called Zeus.  It is launched from deep space, and is far more horrible than nuclear weapons.

What Cobra Command doesn't know that 3 Joe's actually survived the brutal attack and they are out to set things right, and to save the world from Cobra attack, and domination.   I'm betting they will succeed.  And guess what? They do!

I am not making fun of this at all.  This is a bunch of over the top, cool gadgets huge props and sets and a bunch of things blowing up.  And I know there is a boatload of that out there.  And yes, there is shooting, and the like from big guns and small.  OK, yes and there is implied death.  But there is no blood, no huge violence, there is tame language, and it's all presented with a bit of humor, fantasy, and innocence.   This is NOT going to win a Pulitzer Prize.  But it's not a washout. 

I feel this is made for an even younger generation than most of these big action movies.  They really throttle back on what could have been far more intensity in every regard.  There is some attempt to make it somewhat relevant by weaving in some current events in the world and mixing in some humor that adults only will understand.  But overall, this is a solid PG-13 flick in it's rating.  And among the things that will detract from the entire project, is that it will blend in with 30 other action movies and be too tame for many.

This stars The Rock, Channing Tatum, Bruce Willis and a decent supporting cast that make it tolerable for adults that may be taking the teens to see this.  This has it's problems, but trying to be something its not, is not among them.  Yes, it's silly at times, over the top at times, but it's make believe, and I'm good with that.  No reason virtually anyone can't go.  You can see this in standard projection, 3-D, and IMAX 3-D as well.

G.I. Joe: Retaliation.  Channel your inner child, if you wish.