Zartan pulled a sidearm, aiming for Roadblock’s exposed neck.
The narrative of is surprisingly bold for a toy commercial. The film opens with the Joes—led by Duke (Channing Tatum) and Roadblock (Dwayne Johnson)—on a mission to retrieve warheads. They succeed, but it is a trap.
The final showdown happened on the launch floor of Zeus itself. The President/Zartan, flanked by the mountain-strong Firefly, prepared to fire the first rod—target: London. A show of force to make the world kneel. g.i.joe 2
It grossed over $375 million worldwide, outperforming its predecessor.
This "underdog" narrative was a stark contrast to the first film, which featured a massive, well-funded organization. In Retaliation , the Joes were hunted, broke, and desperate. This shift brought the series closer to the gritty realism of the 1980s Marvel comics run by Larry Hama, a move that pleased long-time purists. Zartan pulled a sidearm, aiming for Roadblock’s exposed
“That’s for Duke,” Roadblock said, the shell casing clinking on the floor.
The Joes are framed for treason and nearly wiped out by a Cobra-led airstrike. The survivors—led by Roadblock (Dwayne Johnson)—must go "off the grid" to clear their names and stop Zartan, who is impersonating the U.S. President. The Stars: This sequel leaned heavily into star power, bringing in Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson as Roadblock and Bruce Willis as the original Joe Colton. Action Highlights: They succeed, but it is a trap
Despite its attempt at a more grounded tone, the film received mixed reviews. Critics praised the high-octane action—specifically the cliffside ninja battle—but noted a continued "lack of depth in character development". Channing Tatum later revealed he had asked to be killed off because he "hated" the script and the rushed production process. The Future: Crossovers and Reboots REVIEW: “G.I. Joe: Retaliation” - Keith & the Movies
Critics praised the improved chemistry between Johnson and Willis, noting the film felt more like the classic 1980s toys and cartoons. If you're interested in the franchise, I can also look up: Details on the Snake Eyes spin-off movie