Movie Review: G.I.Joe: Retaliation

As a kid of the 80's, I've been lucky enough to enjoy and appreciate most of the cartoons and TV serials of that time, which have gone on to become legendary shows in popculture history. Two that quickly come to mind as definitive childhood moments of the era are G.I.Joe: A Real American Hero and The Transformers. Both properties belong to Hasbro, and have sold commercially well thanks to its humble beginnings as toys and action figures, later on expanding its reach thanks to the aforementioned animated series and comic book tie-ins released by Marvel. Decades later, these franchises have stood the test of time, evolving into recognizable brand names and even getting their own live action feature films.

While Transformers was the first to get its own movie and inevitably spawn two sequels, The Joes and their mortal enemy Cobra soon followed with their own live action flick - G.I.Joe: The Rise of Cobra. An origin flick serving to establish the franchise for a new generation, the film starred the likes of Channing Tatum as Conrad "Duke" Howser, Dennis Quaid as General Hawk, Lee Byung-hun as Storm Shadow, Joseph Gordon-Levitt as The Doctor/ Cobra Commander, and Ray Park as Snake Eyes. Directed by Mummy director Stephen Sommers, the film was pretty far from the source material, but still managed to entertain and pick up some good numbers to warrant a sequel. Hence, G.I. Joe: Retaliation was given the greenlight, with Jon M. Chu directing it and starring the likes of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and Bruce Willis.

Did it succeed and do better than its predecessor? Find out with this review.

UPDATE: Special Thanks again goes to Solar UIP, Paramount Pictures, Hasbro, and ToySoldier OneEighteen for the special advanced screening last March 25th at SM North EDSA IMAX at the RP!!!

Movie Review: A Good Day To Die Hard

This past Valentine's weekend served more than just to give lovers and sweethearts a chance to go out... It also saw the return of Bruce Willis in his signature role as John McClane... The man who has survived tooth and neck in the Die Hard franchise! Together with director John Moore, Willis is back for another installment to survive and kick ass. This time he lands in the heart of Mother Russia to look for his convicted son Jack, unaware that the younger McClane is actually a CIA Agent sent by the US Government to stop a terrorist plot.

For Willis' fifth attempt in making the impossible possible, does this Father-Son tag team bring new action to the Die Hard name? After seeing the film this past opening week courtesy of 20th Century Fox PH and now going on its second, find out whether the old cop from New York kicks ass with Jr. this review of A Good Day To Die Hard.

Movie Review: Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters

2013's off to a great start with movies. Les Miserables opened in theaters a few weeks ago, and Arnold Schwarzenegger recently returned to action movies with his new vehicle "The Last Stand". There's certainly plenty to go by with the drama and action category, and the latter adds another new entry this week with the release of "Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters", which stars Jeremy Renner and Gemma Arteton in the titular roles. Taking a cue from the classic Brothers Grimm tale "Hansel & Gretel", this piece takes a "What If" look at the siblings if they decided to take their traumatic encounter with the witch to the next level... By hunting and killing witches as a career and profession! It's certainly an interesting concept, and thanks to Solar UIP's special premiere screening of it a couple of days ago, I got to see it... And surprisingly in 3D format which I enjoyed! Here's a review if you're wondering if it's good to see like a tasty candy treat given by an unsuspecting witch. Be warned though, SPOILERS, so read at your own risk!

Movie Review: Taken 2

If you haven't caught it yet in theaters, Taken 2 proves without a shadow of a doubt that Liam Neeson is a badass, and he's a Box Office pull with a serious mean streak to boot. Almost a week since its release, it holds its own in numbers and figures. Here's a review if you need some thoughts on how this action-flick sequel performs, and special thanks again goes to 20th Century Fox and Ayala Cinemas for the screening!

Movie Review: The Expendables 2

The boys are back and all hell breaks loose as PURE AWESOME TESTOSTERONE ACTION hits with The Expendables 2! Sylvester Stallone and his ragtag team of action star mercenaries are back for the kill in this sequel to the 2010 hit, and while Sly isn't back in the director's chair for this one, Con Air director Simon West takes his place and injects more adrenaline, intensity, and machismo into this one than any other action movie fan of the 80's and 90's can endure! You have all the names to lay claim to fame, which in addition to Stallone include Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Terry Crews, Randy Couture, Chuck Norris, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Bruce Willis, and the former Governator himself, Arnold Schwarzenegger! So if you have any doubts in place, here's a review for the books to cash in on why The Expendables 2 is bigger, better, and badder than ever! SPOILERS after the jump, so read at your own risk!