About Features Reviews Community Screenings Videos Studios Home
August 2009
G.I JOE: RISE OF THE COBRA

by Wilson Morales

G.I JOE: RISE OF THE COBRA

Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Director: Stephen Sommers
Producer: Lorenzo di Bonaventura
Screenwriters: Stuart Beattie, David Elliot, Paul Lovett, based on Hasbro’s G.I Joe characters
Cinematography: Mitchell Amundsen
Composer: Alan Silvestri
Cast: Dennis Quaid, Channing Tatum, Sienna Miller, Ray Park, Rachel Nichols, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Said Taghmaoui, Marlon Wayans, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Arnold Vosloo, Byung-hun Lee, Christopher Eccleston



   




























Despite the brou-ha-ha that has been talked about for months and currently about the state of the film, ‘G.I Joe: Rise of the Cobra’ is a pure adrenaline fantasy and fun ride. With its non-stop action and explosive scenes, Stephen Sommers has brought back some of the elements that made his first film, ‘The Mummy,’ a big hit. Fans of the Hasbro toys and the cartoon series will get a hoot at seeing their favorite characters on the big screen, specifically the battle between Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow. That alone is worth the price of admission. This is totally a first-rate entertainment to end the summer.

With modern technology at high stakes, and under the orders of notorious arms dealer McCullen (Eccleston), the Baroness (Sienna Miller) and Storm Shadow (Lee) are sent in to capture nanobot warheads, created by the Cobra Commander (Gordon-Levitt), from the military to use against the world. In an ambushed attack, Duke (Tatum) and Ripcord (Wayans) barely escape with their lives through the help of this elite military group called G.I Joe. Commanding this outfit comprised of special operatives from around the world is General Hawk (Dennis Quaid). With Snake Eyes (Park), Heavy Duty (Akinnuoye-Agbaje), Breaker (Taghmaoui), and Scarlett (Nichols), already enlisted, Duke and Ripcord want in on the action to retrieve the warheads.

In between the action, there’s a renewed rivalry, old lovers reunited, and a government conspiracy.

Without saying so much of what else is happening in the film, it’s best to just go see a high octane action packed movie. For those who ever watched the cartoon version back in the days when there were less than 10 stations on TV and the series had a high viewership, this is the version that director Sommers wanted you to envision. Let’s face it, when anyone thinks of ‘G.I Joe,’ the most common things mentioned were the names of the characters, the gadgets, the vehicles, and the rivalry between Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow, as well as the Joes against Cobra Commander and Destro. All of those elements are in the film including some introductory flashbacks of some characters in case you were born yesterday.

Are you looking for perfection, don’t expect it. This is a summer film that wants you to come back for more, but it does have some flaws. Many will question what the costume designer was thinking of when he created Cobra’s look. Was Gordon-Levitt channeling the Borg from ‘Star Trek?’ Also, this is not Shakespeare! The dialogue is okay at best and geared for a young audience; and the CGI initially could have used more work, but once the action takes place, none of that stuff matters. Yes, we have yet another car chase scene, but through the streets of Paris, it was flashy. There’s some good sword fighting that makes one think of Errol Flynn in his heyday and a good female fight that one hasn’t seen since they took ‘Xena’ off the tube.

Everyone in the cast has their one big scene, but there were a few that stood out, specifically Byung-hun Lee as Storm Shadow. Lee added some more layers to a character only known for his menacing sword play, while Sienna Miller was seductive and merciless in her performance. As for Marlon Wayans, who’s mostly known for his comedic skills, he did toned down his game a bit and turn in a solid performance. He didn’t need one to laugh out loud, but he did manage to get a smile out of one. Unlike other films of summer 2009 that wanted to be taken serious and have failed, here’s a film that just delights and marvels with excitement.