CREATIVE QUOTIENT
The film is inspired by Hasbro’s famous line of plastic action figures where the all American heroes have been nudged out by a multinational elite strike force. The only American factor intact is that the US President is threatened.

From the Egyptian desert to deep below the polar ice caps, the elite G.I. Joe team uses the latest in next-generation spy and military equipment to fight the corrupt arms dealer Destro and the growing threat of the mysterious Cobra organisation to prevent them from plunging the world into chaos.

To compensate the paper-thin plot, all the weaponry and special effects that could be mustered is on show here. The voice activated war-machine is the surprise and can you imagine it obey commands in Celtic. Talk about advanced technology. The piece de resistance of the film is the attack on the Eiffel Tower! No, director Stephen Sommers couldn’t have cracked a Pyramid or two here. Yes, but he did steal in a shot in the desert.

TECHNICAL EXPERTISE
Ever wonder why some actors take on meaningless roles? Well, Dennis Quaid’s presence in all this action assault is a mystery. No scope for performance when the focus of a film is action, weapons and destruction.

Well director Stephen Sommers has paced the film well, with so much action and effects that he doesn’t allow the audience a moment to think. The film’s hold on reality is a little more questionable than the average special effects blockbuster. Just as soon as the end- credits roll and you walk out of the screening, the film is forgotten.

Knowing Sommers’ fondness for sequels, we can’t expect more GI Joe adventures.