Brand-driven filmmaking is so pervasive in modern event cinema, it can be very difficult to set corporate agendas aside and simply enjoy a movie as an escapist piece of entertainment. Opening as it does with a giant 3D Hasbro logo, G.I. Joe: Retaliation really had its work cut out in this regard. But wow – this movie is awesome. Evoking a sense of fun that is all too rare in modern blockbusters, this film delivers a bevvy of awesome set-pieces and cool character moments that may not win it any awards, but that render it a hugely entertaining watch.
The signs didn’t look good when the film was delayed from last year, and the first trailer made it look like a total reboot. Thankfully, this can still very much function as a sequel to its underrated predecessor. Although I missed Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Marlon Wayans and Dennis Quaid (not to mention those awesome power suits), the film benefits greatly from Dwayne Johnson’s addition to the cast. His He-Man-esque frame fits perfectly into the toy-influenced world. He is truly a real-life action figure.
The Snake Eyes/Storm Shadow storyline is further developed, and the cliffside ninja set-piece is the best example of 3D action filmmaking this side of Avatar. Its only one of many action scenes that are executed with stylistic aplomb by director John M. Chu, whose background in dance movies lends a balletic grace to all the whizzing swords and bullets.
This probably won’t convince anyone out to prejudge a movie based on a toy line, but the makers of the Transformers films should be looking to this for inspiration in how to make such a movie so rad.
