First Disney had the idea of converting a ride into a movie, making tons of money in the process. Then Paramount Pictures and Hasbro collaborated on the blockbuster Transformers. Now, Paramount and Hasbro join Spyglass Entertainment for another toy-based action movie, “GI Joe: Rise of Cobra.” This movie, packed with action and special effects, might have several plot holes and plausibility issues, but it’s never boring. US soldiers Duke (Channing Tatum) and pal Ripcord (Marlon Wayans) join the Global Integrated Joint Operating Entity – or GIJOE – a special ops team that uses the latest in next-generation spy and military equipment to fight the corrupt arms dealer Destro (Christopher Eccleston) when he joins the mysterious COBRA organization that’s determined to plunge the world into chaos.
The plot is pure comic book, filled with wall-to-wall action delivered at a break-neck pace although almost every character gets about two minutes worth of back story. And I did appreciate this attempt to develop character. Most of the actors, which include Dennis Quaid, Sienna Miller, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Jonathan Pryce, seem to be enjoying themselves although Channing is a bit wooden. “GI Joe” is also full of high-tech gadgets from power suits that enhance the Joes natural abilities (run faster, jump higher, etc.) to pulse guns and super-duper eavesdropping equipment. The plot and the dialogue are often silly, but, then, director Stephen Sommers seems to know this so “GI Joe” doesn’t take itself too seriously. And that’s what makes this movie a guilty pleasure. However, the ending, which really provides no closure, makes it clear that Paramount et al are planning a sequel. 9/10/09
1 comment:
Couldn't be any worse that "Terminator", could it??
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