10 Most Underrated Sci-Fi Action Movies
4. G.I. Joe: The Rise Of Cobra
A thoroughly entertaining piece of popcorn entertainment, the 2009 film based on the Hasbro product went all in on the excess to deliver a great piece of fun. The ensemble of heroes and villains punching, blasting and kicking the hell out of each other is never boring, and there is enough in the script to keep the audience engaged.
What exists of a plot centres around the G.I. Joe team taking on the Military Armaments Research Syndicate (Mars) team, who are intent on using advanced weaponry to create mayhem around the world. Channing Tatum steps up to the lead role as Duke and does a strong job anchoring the film, in spite of the actor initially wanting out due to concerns the film would glorifie war.
The sci fi aspects of the script makes the violence more enjoyable and palatable, the film more resembling a comic book movie than a war flick. A scene featuring the disintegration of the Eiffel Tower is indicative of the silly fun to be had here.
Starring the likes of Jonathon Pryce, Brendan Fraser, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Christopher Ecclestone, Sienna Miller and Dennis Quaid, the quality acting makes the film feel more consequential than it otherwise should. The dynamic between Miller and Tatum's characters is a highlight, as is the sword fights between brothers Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow.
The film is a great way to spend a couple of hours, and definitely rates higher than the so-so sequel.