Writer: Wahiduzzaman

Writer Ratings:
Overall:
Cast:
Plot:
Effects:
Cinematography:

Watch this if you liked: "Transformers", "Fantastic Four", "Street Fighter", "X-Men" movies

Do you reckon it's fair to call "G.I. Joe: The Rise Of Cobra" the poor man's "Transformers"? They're both from the Hasbro toy line.

Just like the Michael Bay blockbuster, the toy-to-movie adaptation "G.I. Joe" boasts some high-temp and top shelf CGI, mesmerising the senses as we run through Paris and witness scenes of the Eiffel Tower collapsing due to biochemical war and scenes of the ocean bed in the North Pole.

However, this Stephen Sommers effort comes off rather soulless when considering that Michael Bay had enough story to add to action but "G.I. Joe" is mostly just senseless trashing. Some of the dialogue in the movie is ridiculously cliched, especially those between the G.I. Joe team. Worse, the lineup that backs the movie fail to leave much impact, for example Sienna Miller's Ana character is as good as a pretty puppet. Despite her star appeal and seductive persona, her acting gives you that sinking feeling, just like Destro's submarine in the story. Channing Tatum also does nothing special here but a more disappointing fact is that veterans like Dennis Quaid are made to look like fools, in this case as General Hawk. Marlon Wayans, synonymous with slapstick in the industry, may just be the only actor who comes alive, playing a joker who provides comic relief to his teammates.

Director Sommers generally fails to get the best out of the cast and this movie is inferior to his previous efforts like "The Mummy" and "The Mummy Returns". We wonder why it's not 90 minutes but almost two hours? However, as Hollywood action movies go, you probably could do a whole lot worse.


Cinema Online, 05 August 2009