Perhaps this is the second most over the top film of 2009. And also the second most entertaining over the top film of 2009. Stephen Sommers loves the summer film season and loves to pull out all the stops just as other name action filmmakers do. The difference here with 'G.I. Joe...' is that here is a ridiculous, mentally challenged, mega picture that's shockingly fun and knows all these things. From the second Sienna Miller lands in the low cut Baroness costume and begins blowing away soldiers with sonic weaponry... this thing knows what it is. When we see elaborate under water bases, robotic suits and mini nukes that can eat away anything. Melting heads, SUV's with rocket launchers, voice activated jets.... I mean this whole film is like a kids play set.
It feels weird to say, but this is probably one of the most fun kid films you could see right now. They fill the screen with attractive young stars like Sienna Miller, Rachel Nichols and Channing Tatum and Joesph Gordon-Levitt (who is having a fantastic year) and couple them with hardcore veterans of just about every type of film of show know to man like Dennis Quaid, Christopher Eccleston, Ray Park, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje and Arnold Vosloo. Not to mention a surprising and cool cameo by another Sommers film alumni. Actually I think whats so surprising about it is that I found said cameo cool. I wouldn't compare this to Sommers' 'The Mummy' or 'Van Helsing' either. No I would say this feels closer to the wild and ridiculously fun action, sci-fi horror ride that was 'Deep Rising'. Pure over the top genre fun.
The script by Stuart Beattie and David Elliot really plays into the gleeful silliness of it all. Does it make sense? Not particularly. I mean it does add up to something and it doesn't leave any real noticeable holes, but its so chaotic and ridiculous that you really couldn't tell upon first watch. 'G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra' doesn't over stay it's welcome with a running time of about 118 minutes and never has violence beyond basic PG-13 action violence. Explosions, gun fire, flipped cars, sword fighting etc. No hard cursing or sex beyond the basics... wow... it really is a kids film. But hey there's nothing wrong with that... is there?
"G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra" *** out of ****
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