Movie makers are always looking for sources to create films from. More so than that, they’re looking for movies that can become franchises, turning a single film into a multi-million dollar money making machine. Sometimes they do so at the cost of a good film resulting in the franchise dying. Other times they make a movie that does so well, that hits all the right notes, that they have a sure fire hit. Such is the case with G.I.JOE: THE RISE OF COBRA.
Based on what was first a toy from Hasbro and then a hit TV cartoon series, the creators here led by director Stephen Sommers (of THE MUMMY fame) have transformed those original ideas into a fantastic action film. When the term pulse pounding action is used, this is the movie you should think of.
The film opens in the past with a weapons developer and a look at the McCullen clan founder whose current descendant James (Christopher Eccleston) has just turned over a new weapon to U.N. This weapon uses nanomites, nearly invisible robots, to destroy and eat metal. Leading the convoy transporting the weapons is a top Special Forces team led by Duke (Channing Tatum).
Attacked by a secret villainous team led by the Baroness (Sienna Miller), an ex-flame of Duke, the team (or what’s left of it) is rescued by an elite group known as G.I. Joe, led by General Hawk (Dennis Quaid). Sticking with his orders, Duke and fellow team mate Ripcord (Marlon Wayans) stay with their package.
Arriving at the Joe’s secret headquarters, they request to join the team and are given the chance once it becomes known Duke knows the Baroness. After a brief training period, they become part time members. But a tracking device on the weapons case switched on by McCullen has led his team to the Joe base and they attack using both special operatives infected with the nanomites and martial arts expert Storm Shadow (Byun-hung Lee) with the Baroness.
The weapons taken, Gen. Hawk wounded, the team goes into full blown rescue mode as they track the weapons to France. With the help of super powered armor that enhances all abilities (as well as containing some high tech fire power), the team tries to reclaim the weapons before they can be used. They fail and (as seen in previews) the Eiffel Tower falls.
With only one chance left to recapture the weapons and take on this new enemy, later to be called Cobra, the team sets out to save the world. Will they make it in time? Will they have sufficient weapons to do so? Does the sun rise in the east?
This movie is a blast. It takes the toys so many were fond of playing with (for my age 12” tall jointed clod hoppers, for the younger set 6” tall characters with names and multiple weapons) and brings them to life on the screen. It makes those many minutes of animated cells seen by so many for so long come to life and appear in full color action, blasting their way across the screen.
The story is simple. Good guy versus bad guy. To make it complete we get background segments that explain who these characters are, fleshing them out further than the cartoons had time for. Duke and the Baroness, Cobra Commander and Duke, and everyone’s favorite, Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow. There pieces give us a full fledged story to wrap all the action around.
But it is the action that takes center stage here. This is a definite popcorn flick determined to keep you cheering for the good guys and hissing the bad. Underwater battles, snow covered terrains, secret lairs in the Sahara and enough rough and ready heroes to make the world seem a safer place.
More than anything this movie is about having fun. It makes it a film that all ages can enjoy as opposed to playing too much to the young, or overdoing the adult thing for parents. Unlike the cartoon, people do die here and when shot fall down for good. But not to the point of glorifying the violence or lingering on it. Think Lone Ranger in the 50’s type violence.
Having seen the movie twice, in the theater and now on DVD, I can’t recommend it enough. It’s not just one that you’ll want to rent, but one you’ll want to add to your collection. Myself, I determine that by if I think I’d watch it again. This is a movie to be viewed over and over and have fun with again and again.
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