If you’re going to put stock into an actor in Hollywood, there is no denying that your money should be invested into the one and only Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Many individuals are claiming to make 2013 their year but when it comes to backing up the talk, Dwayne has proved already that this year will be monumental for his career. The current reigning WWE Champion isn’t taking any time off with a total of four films being released in four consecutive months. Snitch, Johnson’s first film of the year, was a box-office success and sat well with viewers. Now with the weekend here, G.I. Joe: Retaliation has arrived and the stakes couldn’t be any higher for the action hero in the latest installment. Starring alongside ‘The Great One,’ Channing Tatum, Byung-hun Lee and Ray Park make their return with newcomers Bruce Willis, RZA, Ray Stevenson, D.J. Cotrona and Adrianne Palicki, forming an all-star cast that delivers an adrenaline rush guaranteed to satisfy all action junkies.
G.I. Joe: Retaliation follows the 2009 Hasbro adaptation G.I. Joe: Rise of the Cobra and delves into the complexity of international corruption that places the entire fate of the world in the hands of three surviving Joes. After being betrayed by their corrupt government, the remaining G.I. Joe team consisting of Roadblock (Johnson), Flint (Cotrona) and Lady Jaye (Palicki) must regroup and not only face off against Cobra but the infiltrated government which is leading the world to nuclear disaster.
Retaliation has it. I have to admit that Rise of the Cobra didn’t sit well with me as well as the general audience but the second go around has made me a fan. Retaliation supplies the audience with everything that makes an action film worth watching. Sure, it has its flaws but when you’re consistently faced with hard hitting sequences and captivating cinematic sequences, you’re going to set aside the critiques and enjoy the ride. Dwayne Johnson demolishes all opposition and continues to prove why he is the best at what he does. Paired alongside Tatum, the two create an organic relationship that provides plenty of laughs to jumpstart the story. Johnson is larger than life and you almost feel bad for how painful the Rock’s blows are to the enemy…almost. Bruce Willis is still that All-American badass that everyone loves and admires. Ray Park and Elodie Yung engage in one of the wildest scenes of the film which alone makes Retaliation worth it. My biggest gripe with the film is with RZA as the Blind Master. Now I have love for the Wu-Tang general but his performance just had everyone shaking their head in embarrassment but even his confusing portrayal as the leader of the Arashikage doesn’t take away too much from the film. You’re going to enjoy the ride, so just buckle in and get ready for The Rock and co. to bring it.
G.I. Joe: Retaliation is now playing.
Ben Lester (bjams11)
