The original was a clever, engaging diversion. This bombastic sequel takes (most of) the earlier likeable characters and places them in “a sackful of nada.” The magic is, sadly, lost.
Instead of words (although Jesse Eisenberg – The Social Network, Zombieland – still reels them off at 18 to the dozen), action is at the forefront. And suddenly FBI agent Dylan Rhodes (Mark Ruffalo) is an all-action Ninja who can see off an attack from 10 well-trained bully-boys in a Macau market place. The film still has its moments – revenge is sweet – and the denouement was unexpected. But overall it doesn’t quite pass muster.
Sad really – more of director Jon M Chu’s choreographed Step Up 2 would have been preferable to his G.I.Joe: Retaliation approach.
Rating: 52%
