GI Joe: Retaliation - 1 1/2 smiles

In the 2009 first installment of the GI Joe franchise, director Stephen Sommers recognized that the plot and dialogue were often silly so he kept a light hand and the movie didn’t take itself too seriously. This time around, the sequel, “GI Joe: Retaliation,” directed by John M. Chu, is the exact opposite. Channing Tatum, who played team leader Duke in the first GI Joe and who has acquired some acting polish, should not have been dispatched in the first twenty minutes. His presence would have helped this movie a lot. Instead we have Dwayne Johnson as Roadblock, Duke’s second in command, taking over the lead role. Now, Johnson is a likable character, but even he can’t save a script that’s pretty much incoherent. It’s impossible to keep track of all of the characters, but there’s lots of non-stop action if you like non-stop action. The most creative sequence is an impressive rappelling chase through the Himalayas; the rest of the action is fairly perfunctory.

US president (Jonathan Pryce) is still a hostage (from the first film), the nefarious Cobra group is plotting something nuclear and the conflicted warrior Storm Shadow (the charismatic Byung-hun Lee) is still brooding about his childhood. Plus Cobra commander (Luke Bracey), who wears a Darth Vader-like mask, is rescued from prison and a new addition to the Joes, Lady Jaye (Adrianne Palicki), gets to show off her moves. And the original General Joe Colton (Bruce Willis) pops in and out.  Unfortunately, “GI Joe: Retaliation” substitutes noise and destruction for story and suspense, more so than most action flicks. It’s a disappointment. 3/30/13