G.I. Joe: Rise of the Cobra
I realize it might be a bit uncouth to review a movie almost six months after its initial release, but I feel compelled after going through several worst movie of the year awards. What movie would drive me to such a move, when in general I reserve my movie going beliefs? G. I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra.
As a Doctor Who fan, I have a special place in my heart for the 9th Doctor, Christopher Eccleston, and when I learned that he was playing a major part in the movie it actually drew my attention, having no interest in the painfully stereotypical G. I. Joe. As time rolled on, and the movie received not just bad review, but horrific acts of God reviews, not even my beloved Doctor could drag me out to the Box Office.
So on a rain soaked Florida night, I decided that it might make for a few laughs and rented the video. The reality of the film was almost shocking, just from my expectations and what I received. While fare from a masterpiece, one would have a hard time not getting washed away in the non-stop action this film gives you. The story couldn’t be more straightforward and lays everything out for you at the beginning of the story. The hero must get from point A to point B, save object C from evil dude D before D can use C to take over the world. This film takes a no holds bared approach to action and personally it almost felt refreshing. From wizards, to robots every scriptwriter in Hollywood seems to think they need to weld huge sheets of intrigue into their story for it to be good, and they couldn’t be more wrong. G.I. Joe is a dirt little indulgence that neither Transformers nor Watchmen could really deliver on.
I know most people would disagree, but for me I tend to watch the little people in a film, whether it’s a bad guy at a control panel or a good guy telling others where to go. These people can be very telling, especially when they have to move the audience, an usually their performance is not just bad, but usually painful to watch. I actually though it was rather striking that the scenes that involved the General’s control room, with all the Joes cheering. Sure it’s sappy, but it actually felt right.
The entire movie just had a feeling of rightness to it, and while the visuals and acting were not always spot on, they were extremely entertaining.
If you haven’t watched the movie, and have this action bug that Hollywood hasn’t been itching lately, give G.I. Joe a spin. You never know, you might actually enjoy it.