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G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra

Play trailer Poster for G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra PG-13 2009 1h 58m Action Adventure Play Trailer Watchlist
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33% Tomatometer 166 Reviews 50% Popcornmeter 250,000+ Ratings
Armed with the latest in military and spy technology, the team of elite soldiers known as G.I. Joe travel around the globe to wherever their services are needed. In their latest assignment Gen. Hawk (Dennis Quaid), Duke (Channing Tatum) and the rest of the G.I. Joe team take on Destro (Christopher Eccleston), a corrupt arms dealer, and fight the growing threat of the mysterious Cobra organization.
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G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra

G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra

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Critics Consensus

While fans of the Hasbro toy franchise may revel in a bit of nostalgia, G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra is largely a cartoonish, over-the-top action fest propelled by silly writing, inconsistent visual effects, and merely passable performances.

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Critics Reviews

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Cliff Doerksen Chicago Reader 08/20/2009
Loud, shiny, and critic-proof, this franchise launcher is basically Transformers minus the humanity. Go to Full Review
Michael Phillips Chicago Tribune 08/14/2009
2/4
[Director] Sommers did the first two chaotic Mummy remakes; those play like Tender Mercies compared to this one. Go to Full Review
Nick Schager Lessons of Darkness 08/12/2009
C
Basically Team America: World Police played straight and minus the political edge. Go to Full Review
Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review 09/04/2023
1/4
You’d be better off buying the toys and acting out your own adventures—the result would prove more satisfying. Go to Full Review
Allison Rose FlickDirect 07/28/2021
3/5
Tatum fits the bill as a soldier well, physically and mentally, but his acting skills are rough. Go to Full Review
Owen Nicholls NME (New Musical Express) 04/23/2021
Appalling blockbuster garbage. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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TheMovieSearch R @TheMovieSearch 2d G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra is a surprisingly entertaining action film that, despite its flaws, delivers more than many critics give it credit for. With Dennis Quaid and Channing Tatum leading the cast, the film immediately gains credibility and energy, while supporting performances from Marlon Wayans, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Leo Howard, and Adwale Adepoje create a diverse and engaging ensemble. The story follows the elite G.I. Joe team as they battle Cobra’s sinister plans, and while the screenplay isn’t perfect, it maintains a fun, fast-paced rhythm that keeps viewers invested. The director does a competent job balancing large-scale action sequences with character moments, ensuring the film remains visually exciting without losing narrative focus. Though some dialogue and plot points feel rushed or exaggerated, the overall experience is enjoyable. The film succeeds as a fun, watchable adaptation of the classic G.I. Joe universe, blending humor, action, and dynamic teamwork for a ride. See more Ed R Nov 30 Quite the mix between Power Rangers, Transformers and the Fast & Furious. Not a good mix, mind you.... See more Ben N @Bneffer Nov 9 This movie is dumb. It is fun and dumb for the first third, in a classic summer blockbuster way. I liked it until a turn in the middle during which the bad guys become cartoonish, the weapons go over the top in a way that makes combat impossible to grasp, and the plot goes hyper-active. The third act tries to pull things back together, but by then I'd lost all buy-in and was tired of these characters. Friends tell me I should see the second GI Joe pic, if fo no other reason that Roadbloack (The Rock) --- so maybe... but I can't imagine it's much worse than this was in the end. See more Mitch B Jul 6 A fun adventure that is over the top and doesn't take itself too seriously. I loved seeing Duke, Snake Eyes and Scarlett and Hawk in live action. See more Zach W. @zwreviews Jun 27 Though it has an excess of underdeveloped plot points and plenty of poor CGI and visual effects, G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra is an ambitious whirlwind of boisterous action and adventure. Directed by Stephen Sommers, G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra is a bombastic, explosive action film with a ridiculous blend of technology and flashiness. However, G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra is also a cluttered, overindulgent story that does not refine itself for the betterment of the audience’s understanding. Channing Tatum has proven that he can lead an action film, but his performance in G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra feels hindered by his character’s lack of development. G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra does succeed in building depth with other supporting characters as I found all of the flashbacks with Snake Eyes to be cool. Dennis Quaid is underutilized, Marlon Wayans is miscast, and the villains are not clear with their motivations. Regardless, G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra is memorable for its ridiculous action sequences and ambitious storyline. Overall, G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra is a blockbuster franchise film that likely will never be replicated. There can be an appreciation for the absurdity of what Sommers tries to accomplish, but the adaptation does feel slightly off in comparison to previous G.I. Joe projects. See more Thomas S Jun 21 Bought the DVD for a $1.00 at a thrift store. Watched it. I place the value as $1.10 That means it was a winner! See more Read all reviews
G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra

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Movie Info

Synopsis Armed with the latest in military and spy technology, the team of elite soldiers known as G.I. Joe travel around the globe to wherever their services are needed. In their latest assignment Gen. Hawk (Dennis Quaid), Duke (Channing Tatum) and the rest of the G.I. Joe team take on Destro (Christopher Eccleston), a corrupt arms dealer, and fight the growing threat of the mysterious Cobra organization.
Director
Stephen Sommers
Producer
Lorenzo di Bonaventura, Brian Goldner, Bob Ducsay
Screenwriter
Stuart Beattie, David Elliot, Paul Lovett
Distributor
Paramount Pictures
Production Co
Paramount Pictures, Hasbro, Di Bonaventura Pictures
Rating
PG-13 (Strong Seq. of Action Violence|Mayhem Throughout)
Genre
Action, Adventure
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Aug 7, 2009, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 11, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA)
$150.2M
Runtime
1h 58m
Sound Mix
Dolby Digital, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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