| G.I. Joe: Retaliation | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Jon M. Chu |
| Written by | |
| Based on | G.I. Joe byHasbro |
| Produced by | |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Stephen Windon |
| Edited by |
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| Music by | Henry Jackman |
Production companies | |
| Distributed by | Paramount Pictures[3] |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 110 minutes[5] |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $130–155 million[1][6] |
| Box office | $375.7 million[5] |
G.I. Joe: Retaliation is a 2013 Americanmilitary science fictionaction film based on theG.I. Joe toy line. It is the second installment in theG.I. Joe film series and the sequel toG.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra (2009). Directed byJon M. Chu and written byRhett Reese andPaul Wernick, the film features anensemble cast starringD. J. Cotrona,Lee Byung-hun,Adrianne Palicki,Ray Park,Jonathan Pryce,Ray Stevenson,Channing Tatum,Bruce Willis, andDwayne Johnson.[7] The G.I. Joes fight their enemy Cobra again and also face threats from within the US government.[8]
Originally slated for release in June 2012, the film was delayed to convert to3D and boost interest in international markets.G.I. Joe: Retaliation was released in the United States on March 28, 2013, byParamount Pictures. The film, like its predecessor, received generally negative reviews from critics, although it was considered an improvement from its predecessor and grossed $375.7 million worldwide against a budget of $130–155 million.
Special Forces team commanderDuke leads theG.I. Joe Team to theKorean Demilitarized Zone to rescue a North Korean defector. They are then assigned another mission to steal nuclear warheads fromPakistan after the death ofits President during a civil war. Deeming them as traitors for causing an international incident,Zartan, still impersonating thepresident of the United States, calls an airstrike that kills Duke and many Joes. Heavy machine gunnerRoadblock, sniperFlint, and covert operatorLady Jaye survive the attack by diving into a well, and they return to the United States to contactGeneral Joseph Colton, who provides them with weapons.
Meanwhile,Storm Shadow, who survived the Arctic base's destruction,[a] and demolitions expertFirefly rescueCobra Commander from an underground maximum-security prison inGermany, leavingDestro behind. Storm Shadow is injured and retreats to a temple in theHimalayas to recover. The Blind Master, leader of theArashikage Clan, sendsSnake Eyes and his apprenticeJinx, to capture Storm Shadow, allowing him to answer for the murder of his uncle, theHard Master.
After Zartan announces that Cobra will become the premier U.S. special forces team, replacing G.I. Joe, Lady Jaye deduces that someone is impersonating the President by noting changes in his speech patterns. At a presidential fundraiser, she steals a sample of the President's DNA, confirming that he is Zartan. They escape after a confrontation with Firefly andZandar, the head of theU.S. Secret Service's Presidential Detail and a member of Cobra.
Snake Eyes and Jinx locate and capture Storm Shadow after a battle with some ninjas loyal to Storm Shadow and take him back toTokyo, where Storm Shadow proclaims that he did not kill the Hard Master and proves it by fighting Snake Eyes with the weapon that killed the Hard Master, which breaks as it is not Arashikage steel. The Blind Master deduces that Zartan was the one that murdered the Hard Master and framed Storm Shadow for it, who joined Cobra to bring it down from the inside. Exonerated, Storm Shadow accompanies Snake Eyes and Jinx, his cousin, as they join the Joes' efforts to stop Cobra and avenge the Hard Master.
Zartan invites the world leaders to a summit atFort Sumter, where he launches the entire USnuclear arsenal, forcing the other nuclear powers to do the same. All the world leaders activate the self-destruct for their nuclear arsenals, removing the justification for the retaliation strikes and goads to save the Earth. Zartan proclaims this a nuclear free world and unveils Project Zeus, orbitalkinetic bombardment weapons he designed for Cobra. To prove his superiority, he destroys CentralLondon and activates the remaining weapons, offering to disarm them if the leaders submit to Cobra. Storm Shadow betrays Cobra Commander and starts a fight, acknowledging Cobra's deception to the world leaders. Colton kills Zandar and rescues the real President with Lady Jaye, while Storm Shadow kills Zartan. While Snake Eyes, Jinx, and Flint fight Cobra's soldiers, Cobra Commander instructs Firefly to protect the launch device, and escapes by helicopter. Roadblock overpowers Firefly and destroys the orbital weapons. Storm Shadow leaves after avenging his uncle.
At the White House ceremony, the real President addresses the nation and commemorates the Joes, who were awarded by Colton: Roadblock, Snake Eyes, Jinx, Flint, and Lady Jaye. Colton presents Roadblock with anM1911 pistol that belonged to GeneralGeorge S. Patton, to be used when they find Cobra Commander. Roadblock proudly raises the weapon and fires a single shot in honor of his fallen comrades, vowing to avenge them.
After the financially successful release ofThe Rise of Cobra, Rob Moore, the studio vice chairman ofParamount Pictures, stated in 2009 that a sequel would be developed. In January 2011, Rhett Reese andPaul Wernick, the writers ofZombieland, were hired to write the script.[10][11] The movie was originally thought to be titledG.I. Joe: Cobra Strikes,[12] which was later denied by Reese.[13]Stephen Sommers was originally going to return as director of the sequel, but Paramount Pictures announced in February 2011 thatJon Chu would direct the sequel.[14][15] In July 2011, the sequel's name was revealed to beG.I. Joe: Retaliation.[16][17] Chu would later declare that Paramount wanted areboot that also served as a sequel toThe Rise of Cobra since "a lot of people saw the first movie so we don't want to alienate that and redo the whole thing."[18]
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In January 2011, it was confirmed thatLee Byung-hun would reprise his role asStorm Shadow in the sequel.[19][20]Channing Tatum andRay Park also returned, asDuke andSnake Eyes, respectively.Rachel Nichols, the actress who playedScarlett in the first film, stated that most cast members would not be returning, except for the three aforementioned actors.[21] In March 2011,Sienna Miller stated that she would not be returning for a sequel.[22]Joseph Gordon-Levitt also confirmed that he would not be returning asCobra Commander in the sequel because he was too busy withThe Dark Knight Rises.[23]
In June 2011,Dwayne Johnson was cast asRoadblock,[24]D. J. Cotrona andRZA were cast asFlint andBlind Master, respectively,[25] whileÉlodie Yung was in talks for the role ofJinx.[26] In July 2011,Adrianne Palicki was confirmed for the lead female role ofLady Jaye,[27][28] andRay Stevenson was confirmed to portray the villainFirefly.[29][30]Arnold Vosloo also confirmed that he would reprise his role ofZartan.[31]Jonathan Pryce will reprise his role as thePresident of the United States.Joseph Mazzello was confirmed to playMouse.[32] In August 2011,Walton Goggins was added as Warden Nigel James,[33] and it was confirmed thatBruce Willis was cast to star in the film as the original G.I. Joe.[34] The character of Joe Colton was a replacement for fan-favorite Joe characterSgt. Slaughter. Sgt. Slaughter stated that he "was originally supposed to be the part of Bruce Willis' [as] Sgt. Slaughter but because we had a conflict in toy companies, Hasbro and Mattel, I wasn't able to do it. It's one of those things, Rock (Dwayne Johnson) doesn't have a contract so he can do what he wants to do and he's been very successful".[35]
In September, a casting call sheet leaked to the Internet revealed that Cobra Commander would appear in the sequel, though it was unknown who would play the character.[36] Chu said that fans would get a glimpse ofDestro in the film, butChristopher Eccleston would not reprise his role in the sequel.[37] On May 1, 2012, it was confirmed by Jon Chu thatG.I. Joe: Retaliation's Cobra Commander is Rex Lewis, the same character thatJoseph Gordon-Levitt played inThe Rise of Cobra.[38]
Principal photography began in August 2011 inLouisiana.[16][39]
The battle on the Himalayas was shot in the south vertical assembly building at NASA'sMichoud Assembly Facility, that had been fitted with agreen screen wall at a very steep angle with a lot of rigging above to swing the stunt people through.[40]
Fort Pike in Louisiana stands in forFort Sumter inSouth Carolina as the site of the climactic summit meeting of the leaders of nuclear-armed countries.
On November 22, 2011, a crew member, Mike Huber,[41] died in an accident at a New Orleans warehouse used as a soundstage for the film. Crew members were changing out a set,[42] and thescissor lift Huber was operating fell on him.[43]OSHA assessed Paramount for a $21,000 penalty, some five years later the penalty was still being contested.[44]
Retaliation had 700 visual effects shots,[45] which were mostly handled by three effects companies.[40] Visual effects supervisor Zachary Kinnery declared that while the visuals aimed for the "big and bold" typical of the franchise,Retaliation would be the first to attempt "a bit more of that gritty realism."[46] The major part of the effects was given toDigital Domain, which for 227 effects created digital vehicles and aircraft that had to "look fantastic but which are also plausible", given they had to match practical models, the Zeus satellite and a sequence where Zartan shows his nanomite-related disguise to the president—done with the same head replacement software developed forThe Curious Case of Benjamin Button andTron: Legacy.Industrial Light & Magic made the London destruction, a digital White House, and the mountain sword fight, which had computer-generated backgrounds and digital augmentation of the stunt people's performance.Method Studios was responsible for the desert attack, Firefly's explosive bugs, and malfunction on underground prison.[40][45][47] Saints LA handled minor effects such ascompositing and news graphics.[48]
The film's score was composed byHenry Jackman, conducted byNick Glennie-Smith and performed by theHollywood Studio Symphony. A soundtrack of the score was released in April 2013.[49]
Previously slated for release on August 10, 2012[12] and June 29, 2012,[50] Paramount announced in May 2012 that they were delaying the film's release until March 29, 2013 (but was later moved up to March 28, 2013), in order to convert the movie to 3D and boost interest in international markets.[51][52]
The delay "gobsmacked" the film industry due to Paramount's implementation of a substantial advertising campaign beginning with aSuper Bowl commercial, with the "warehouses full of" toys were waiting for the film's launch, and because it was one of only three Paramount-produced films scheduled for summer 2012 (along withThe Dictator andKaty Perry: Part of Me). The studio also wanted to avoid competing with Tatum'sMagic Mike, also scheduled for June 29.[53]
The film was banned by theCentral Board of Film Censors ofPakistan due to initial scenes at the beginning of the movie which depict the country negatively, according to film censor board officials. AKarachi-based cinema posted on its Facebook page that the film would not be screened due to restrictions by the censor board. The censorship was due to the film's depiction of Pakistan as an unstable state and the fictional portrayal of a "foreign invasion of Pakistan's nuclear installations", which caught the ire of film censor authorities. Consequently, restrictions were imposed on screening the movie countrywide.[54][55][56][57] According to an official at the censor board, the film portrayed Pakistan negatively not only on the issue of thewar on terror but also on the international standing of the country, "There is a scene which shows the assassination of the Pakistani president and the imposition of martial law, which is not a fair representation of the country."[58] Another cinema official said, "There were obviously several objectionable things which would never have passed the censors, but these things are also relevant to the content of the film."[58]
A toyline for the film was confirmed byHasbro in February 2012.[59] Despite the movie's release being moved from June 2012 to March 2013, the initial assortments of figures, vehicles, and role-play items were shipped to retailers, and appeared on store shelves in May 2012. AVariety article was published stating that the already released figures had been pulled from the shelves and recalled by Hasbro,[60] although the company's official statement indicated that existing product would be sold through. New product shipments were halted by Hasbro, but existingRetaliation figures were available in Target, Wal-Mart, and Toys R Us as late as December 2012.[61] The toyline was re-released in the United States in February 2013.[62] A four-part limited series comic book titledG.I. Joe: Retaliation Movie Prequel was published byIDW Publishing from February 2012 to April 2012. Written by John Barber, it acts as a prequel to the movie.
G.I. Joe: Retaliation was released onDVD,Blu-ray, andBlu-ray 3D on July 30, 2013, byParamount Home Entertainment.[63] A Blu-ray "Extended Action Cut" added 12 minutes of footage and uncensored violence was also available, with the United States version being aBest Buy exclusive.[64]
The film topped No. 1 on both the Blu-ray and DVD sales charts with at least 54% of both Blu-ray and DVD units sold.[65] The film also topped weekend rentals too.[66]
It was later released onUltra HD Blu-ray on July 20, 2021, along with the first movie, to coincide with the theatrical release ofSnake Eyes.
G.I. Joe: Retaliation grossed $122.5 million in North America, $253.2 million internationally, and $375.7 million worldwide total,[5] to a budget of $130–$155 million.[1][6]
In North America, the film grossed $10.5 million on its opening day, debuting at the top of the box office.[67] The film retained the No. 1 spot over the three-day weekend and grossed $40.5 million; however, the film's opening weekend fell 14.2% againstThe Rise of Cobra's $54.7 million debut.[68]
OnRotten Tomatoes it has an approval rating of 29% based on 180 reviews, with an average rating of 4.5/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "Though arguably superior to its predecessor,G.I. Joe: Retaliation is overwhelmed by its nonstop action and too nonsensical and vapid to leave a lasting impression."[69] OnMetacritic, the film has aweighted average score of 41 out of 100, based on 31 critics, indicating "mixed or average" reviews.[8] Audiences polled byCinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A−" on an A+ to F scale.[70]
Alan Scherstuhl ofThe Village Voice wrote in a positive review that "this [movie] pushes right pastcompetent intomostly legitimately enjoyable" but added that "the movie is still dumb as catbutt. It's an honest and accomplished dumbness, however, where the stupidest stuff seems to be there because the movie would be less fun without it."[71]The Hollywood Reporter's Todd McCarthy was critical about the film's use of 3D and accurate reflection of the franchise's comic book and cartoon origins, but predicted it would still earn better than its predecessor,G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra.[72] Owen Gleiberman ofEntertainment Weekly gave the film a grade of "B−", calling it "well-executed technocratic action fluff" and commented: "In its dehumanized and trivial way, it's a triumph of razor-sharp, hyper-violent style over formulaic substance ... Hollywood has now evolved to the point that it can deliver these kinds of thrills with maximum brute force and keep the impact so light that the result canstill be regarded as a 'harmless' diversion for 14-year-olds."[73] Glen Heath Jr. ofSlant Magazine gave it two out of four stars, criticizing the film's "cut-happy style" and plot, but lauding the action sequences and Chu's direction as "poetry in high-speed motion."[74]
In a negative review, Betsey Sharkey of theLos Angeles Times panned the "overwhelmingly complicated, globe-hopping, enemies within, enemies without story line" and 3D but noted that "the humor, when it works, offers 'Retaliation' some redemption." She ended with: "It's convoluted. Frankly no one should have to think that hard to keep up with the Joes."[75] Another negative review came fromVariety magazine's Justin Chang, who ridiculed the movie's large-scale destruction of foreign cities, writing: "Audiences who thrilled to the sight of Paris under biochemical attack inCobra will be pleased to watch London endure an even more horrific fate here, although the sequence is tossed off in quick, almost ho-hum fashion, with no time to dwell on anything so exquisitely crass as the spectacle of the Eiffel Tower collapsing." He summarized the movie as "a more straight-faced brand of idiocy than its cheerfully dumb 2009 predecessor."[76]
Writing forEmpire magazine, Olly Richards gave the movie 2 stars out of 5 and compared it unfavorably with its predecessor, writing: "The first film you could at least laughat. This takes all its silly ingredients and smushes them down flat. 'Retaliation' over-promises and under-delivers."[77] Richard Roeper ofChicago Sun-Times gave the movie 1.5 stars out of a possible four, branding it a "ridiculous and overblown debacle" that contained "nothing but well-packaged garbage" and further adding: "To say 'G.I. Joe: Retaliation' is a video game for the big screen is to insult a number of video games that are far more creative, challenging and better-looking."[78]
At the2013 Teen Choice Awards,G.I. Joe: Retaliation received four nominations (includingChoice Movie: Action).[79][80][81] Johnson was nominated for Favorite Male Buttkicker at the2014 Kids' Choice Awards.[82] The film was also nominated twice at theGolden Trailer Awards for Best Action.[83][84][85]
In April 2013, reports surfaced that there would be a thirdG.I. Joe film,[86] and it would likely be in3D.[87][88] The studio announced that Chu would return to direct the third film.[89]
While at the 2013San Diego Comic-Con, Chu talked about bringingScarlett back in the next film.[90] The writers of the second film are also thinking about bringing back theBaroness in the sequel.[91] Johnson is interested in returning as Roadblock for the sequel,[92] and Park has talked about a possible return as Snake Eyes and also including his pet wolf Timber.[93] ProducerLorenzo di Bonaventura has stated he is open to doing aG.I. Joe/Transformerscrossover,[94] which Chu stated that he would be interested in directing.[95] Bonaventura toldBeijing News that he hoped that Johnson and Willis would return, the script is still in the writing stage, and that they are considering adding a third important role.[96]
By September of the same year, Chu was confirmed to direct the film, along withSnow White and the Huntsman writerEvan Daugherty to pen the film's script.[97] On December 5, 2013, Daugherty talked about writing the film's script and his feelings about Duke being killed,[98] but Chu told MTV that Tatum may return as Duke in the sequel.[99] In an interview withCollider, Johnson stated that he believes Chu may not return to direct, due to working on thelive-actionJem film, but they may find another director for the film.[100] It was revealed that the third film will have a 2016 release date.[101] In June 2014, di Bonaventura toldCollider in an interview that they're meeting with new directors and filming may start in early 2015.[102] The following month,Variety reported thatJonathan Lemkin will write the script for the film and will focus on Roadblock with Johnson returning.[103] February of the following year,Film Divider reported that the twinsTomax and Xamot andMatt Trakker from the TV seriesM.A.S.K. will be appearing.[104] In April, the studio hired Aaron Berg to write the film, andD. J. Caruso to direct the film.[105][106] November 2015,Deadline reported thatAkiva Goldsman will lead a writers room for the nextG.I. Joe film.[107] In September 2016, Byung-Hun Lee told LRM Review that the studio doing the third film is waiting on the actors to return, including Johnson.[108]
In January 2017, Caruso stated that the script for the crossover movie is now being written.[109] In May 2017, Dwayne Johnson stated that if the opportunity arises he would appear in any futureG.I. Joe film, and that he hopes to be a part of the franchise expansion as well.[110] It was announced in September 2017 that the third film is intended to serve more as a reboot of the franchise.[111]The Hollywood Reporter has reported that Paramount announced the film will be released on March 27, 2020.[112] In May 2018,That Hashtag Show reported that the film will be titledG.I. Joe: Ever Vigilant withJosh Appelbaum andAndré Nemec writing the film's script and that the studio are hoping to have Johnson sign on to reprise the role of Roadblock. The plot will reportedly feature his character assembling a new team of Joes with Dania Janack, Dr. Adele Burkhart,Wild Bill,Barbecue,General Flagg,Doc, andKeel-Haul joining forces to stop Tomax and Xamot Paoli from launching a dark matterWMD. The film is said to feature a cameo role for Cobra Commander.[113] In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura revealed that some scripts for the sequel are currently in development.[114]
A reboot of the film series,Snake Eyes, was released on July 23, 2021.
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