GI Joe: Retaliation

I was supposed to review this last year.

But instead, GI Joe: Retaliation missed its summertime release and hit theaters now. Apparently, "Channing Tatum in 3D" sounded better than "Hasbro sunk again."

The GI Joes, led by Duke (Tatum) and Roadblock (Dwayne Johnson), are dead. The President of the United States (Jonathan Pryce) set them up for an ambush. While Duke didn't make it, Roadblock, Flint (D.J. Cotrona) and Lady Jaye (Adrianne Palicki) did. They make it back to civilization to get to the bottom of this.

It turns out that the "President" is Zartan (Arnold Vosloo), agent of the evil Cobra Organization. Through him, Cobra Commander (Luke Bracey) can now hold the world hostage with their new superweapon. To save the day, the Joes enlist General Joe Colton (Bruce Willis) and the ninjas Snake Eyes (Ray Park) and Jinx (Elodie Yung).

Director Jon M. Chu's follow-up to GI Joe: The Rise of Cobra succeeds in delivering over-the-top action. Its best sequence is a battle between good and evil ninjas in the Himalayas. The scene is dialogue-free, which leaves its amazing sound design and visual effects to do the talking. Anyone expecting exciting battles won't be disappointed.

Among its cast, the best is Jonathan Pryce as Zartan-as-the-President. He's smug, evil and proud of it, but he's also delightfully over-the-top crazy. As Joe Colton, Willis provides the best laughs from the good guys.

A few of its plot points are hard to follow. But overall, GI Joe: Retaliation wasn't boring. If there's a third GI Joe, let's hope that when it sets on a release date, it stays on target.