Rated PG-13 for strong sequences of action violence and mayhem throughout.
118 mins.
Directed By: Stephen Sommers
Written By: Stuart Beattie, David Elliot
Starring: Channing Tatum, Marlon Wayans, Rachel Nichols, Ray Park, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Christopher Eccleston, Sienna Miller, Lee Byung-hun, Saïd Taghmaoui, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Dennis Quaid, Jonathan Pryce, Brandon Soo Hoo
Review:
I want to take back my prior statements that this film looked cheesy and had bad special effects. It is only mildly cheesy and the special effects are pretty decent. G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra may have only garnered mixed reviews so far from other critics, but it is a far better film than I and many others gave it credit for when it initially came out. After seeing it on my 46 inch HDTV I definitely wish that I could have seen it on a much larger screen. I thoroughly loved watching it on Blu Ray, this is one of the first films I have seen that has made me glad I had my Blu Ray player.
The plot is actually a lot more interesting than I gave it credit for as well. The film takes place in the not so distant future where a weapons creator MARS lead by James McCullen played by Chris Eccleston has developed a new and powerful warheads built using nanotechnology. Duke, played by Channing Tatum, and his team are tasked with the delivery of the warheads when they are ambushed by the Baroness played by Sienna Miller and her team of unstoppable bad guys. The warheads are saved and only Duke and Ripcord, played by Marlon Wayans, survive thanks to the help of the G.I. Joe team. The plot just begins to thicken from there as the bad guys will stop at nothing to recover the warheads.
This is one film that I actually liked the use of flashbacks to tell the individual stories of most of the lead characters. I felt that it was not overused and helped the audience to understand the plot and aided in character development. The fact that the original comic book creator was brought on as a consultant proved to be very helpful with the film. The feel of the movie brought me back to my youth of reading the comics and playing with my action figures.
I really enjoyed the sound of the film and the special effects. I did not think that I would when I watched the trailer. I think that I did not like the fact that Channing Tatum was in the film. I had seen him in Fighting and loathed him in that. I think he is on the road to redemption with this film or at least has surrounded himself with other actors that make him look a lot better. Plus it is not that hard to look good with lots of action. His lines were full of lots of bravado but that is exactly what Duke his character was like. I always loved Snake Eyes and you can’t help but enjoy his character in this film. He is played by Ray Park who is a legend and master of martial arts.
The Bottom Line:
I think you this film is worth watching for those of you who have not seen it. If you have already seen it in the theaters definitely consider checking it out on DVD or Blu Ray. With the $300 million that this film made in total box office there are already plans for a sequel of course. I think that this is definitely one sequel I am looking forward to seeing. This time I will definitely be seeing it in the theaters.
I found this film to be immensely more enjoyable once I started envisioning it in cartoon form.
http://themoviemistress.blogspot.com/2009/08/gi-joe-rise-of-cobra.html
I didn’t bother with this one at the cinema as the trailer looked so bad. Maybe I will give it a go on DVD. I can always blame you if I hate it!
I’m with you Andy, I was completely turned off by the trailer, but I’m hearing more and more people say it was a fun movie. I have to give it a chance at this point.
How bad can it be? I have already seen Transformers 2, I can’t see anything being worse than that!
My problem is I don’t want to have to envision it as a cartoon to enjoy it. I should just be able to enjoy it!
I couldnt make it through this movie…seriously…I was extremely disappointed. It looked very good visually but I lost interest almost as soon as a Wayans brother showed up. Then I’m supposed to believe that Brenden Frasier is GI Joe material? I like Frasier…but he DOES NOT FIT into this movie…even if its only momentary. The near constant flashbacks to the Snakeyes/Stormshadow backstory broke my concentration. I was also incredibly surprised at the Joes lack of security in their base. The best thing about this movie is the Baronesses beautiful cleavage shots. But even a great pair of perky boobs could do little to turn my mind away from a lack of plot. I just hope if they make a second one we can get Shipwreck in there somewhere!