11
MAR
G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra Blu-ray Review
Posted by Andy Boxall
- 1080p with a 2.40:1 ratio.
- DTS HD Master Audio.
- Single Disc Release Reviewed. Some copies will come with a digital copy on a second disc.
G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, the other big 2009 FX movie based around a Hasbro toy line, seemed to get a little lost following Transformers 2 and Terminator: Salvation; both expensive, hyped-up blockbusters which took big money but failed to impress critics. Joe took fair money, but was again blighted by poor reviews, however, it was perhaps a little unfair to place G.I. Joe together with these two, as it knows something they don't.
A super-powerful weapon is stolen by a mysterious organization from a convoy led by Duke (Channing Tatum) and Ripcord (Marlon Wayans), who then join forces with a special force known as G.I.Joe in order to get it back. Using state-of-the-art hardware, the Joes chase the Baroness (Sienna Miller) and Destro around the world, fighting to regain the weapon before it's released on to an unsuspecting world.
What G.I. Joe knows is exactly how stupid it is. Director Stephen Sommers is best known for The Mummy movies, a prefect example of films so daft that they are often enjoyable, and he injects that same enthusiasm here. Michael Bay also does this, but with Transformers 2 there was an underlying nasty streak which made it slightly seedy, but G.I. Joe has none of that - it's a film made by big kids who want big explosions and lots of fun.
So, how stupid is it? Well, the 'Accelerator' suits are straight out of a video game, the streams of bullets and huge car accidents never seem to kill anybody important and although the Joes are supposed to be the best in the world, the fact is they're a bit rubbish - falling down, missing easy shots or generally making a mess of situations the cast of Black Hawk Down would have sorted out in ten minutes. That's before we get on to the script or the CGI, both of which alternate between passable and laughable. So the answer is: really quite stupid.
It's elevated above both Terminator: Salvation and Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen by being fun. It's knows that everything going on is ridiculous and just gets on with it, never feeling the need to put a lengthy scene of exposition here or a stoned parent there, instead taking us to the next set piece which in the case of the Paris 'Accelerator Suit' chase, is actually quite exciting.
But it has got Channing Tatum in it, you cry! Yes, he's on the wooden side, but then you hardly notice as Marlon Wayans is invariably being noisy and irritating next to him. Aside from these two, Sienna Miller actually makes a good Baroness, Ray Park a good Snake Eyes and Arnold Vosloo a good Zartan. They all appear to be enjoying themselves, and their glee becomes infectious.
In G.I. Joe, the explosions are all enormous, the editing is too choppy, the dialogue corny and the acting hammy, but it's all surprisingly enjoyable - not in a serious way, but in a way that stupid action movies can when they're done correctly, with a lot of heart and a clear disregard for reality.
3/5
Follow the link for our thoughts on the audio, video and extra features on the G.I. Joe Blu-ray.
The Audio and Video.
As you would expect, the DTS HD audio track is a real stormer! As indicated in the review of the movie, when there is an explosion in G.I. Joe, it's usually a big one and with it comes a lot of bass. As the bullets fly, the surround channels join in and the battle sequences come alive - the opening scene with the convoy is a particular audio treat.
The same can be said when Storm Shadow and Snake Eyes first meet. It's a fleeting moment thanks to the editing, but their swords clash and the resulting sound echoes around the room - putting you squarely in-between the two! Dialogue is served well and there was never any confusion of words in amongst the massive explosions.
The video side is slightly less impressive, but this is more to do with the lighting and CGI use in the movie than the transfer. During the exterior scenes - the chase through Paris being the best - it's fine, with detailed faces and some bright locations to show off the disc, but other times the lighting keeps faces and locations in shadow, rarely letting the transfer shine.
G.I. Joe uses a lot of CGI, probably more than you think, and when it's good there is no problem, but when it's bad, it's up there for all to see in HD glory.
4/5
The Extras.
There are two features on the disc, The Big Bang Theory: The Making of G.I. Joe and Next Gen Action: The Amazing Visual FX and Design of G.I. Joe, both totaling to around 50 minutes. The Big Bang Theory is quite interesting, with some interviews with the cast and crew, plus some FX work too. It's worth seeing for Stephen Sommers, who obviously enjoyed making the movie.
The Next Gen Action goes into more detail on the sets and CGI, of which there is a massive amount. It's technical and informative, but not as engaging as the Big Bang Theory.
Stephen Sommers and producer Bob Ducsay provide a commentary track for the movie too. This could have gone either way, potentially ending up as a bland studio love-in, but instead it's a great listen, with Sommers candidly explaining the problems with the writers strike, the sequences he doesn't like and how he really pushed the crew to get the movie completed early and on budget. Rarely do commentaries to movies like this sound honest, but this one does.
3/5
Overall.
A stupid action film that knows it's a stupid action film, blessed with a loud and proud DTS-HD audio track. Recommended for a watch, but just don't expect your brain to be teased to breaking point.
3/5
As you would expect, the DTS HD audio track is a real stormer! As indicated in the review of the movie, when there is an explosion in G.I. Joe, it's usually a big one and with it comes a lot of bass. As the bullets fly, the surround channels join in and the battle sequences come alive - the opening scene with the convoy is a particular audio treat.
The same can be said when Storm Shadow and Snake Eyes first meet. It's a fleeting moment thanks to the editing, but their swords clash and the resulting sound echoes around the room - putting you squarely in-between the two! Dialogue is served well and there was never any confusion of words in amongst the massive explosions.
The video side is slightly less impressive, but this is more to do with the lighting and CGI use in the movie than the transfer. During the exterior scenes - the chase through Paris being the best - it's fine, with detailed faces and some bright locations to show off the disc, but other times the lighting keeps faces and locations in shadow, rarely letting the transfer shine.
G.I. Joe uses a lot of CGI, probably more than you think, and when it's good there is no problem, but when it's bad, it's up there for all to see in HD glory.
4/5
The Extras.
There are two features on the disc, The Big Bang Theory: The Making of G.I. Joe and Next Gen Action: The Amazing Visual FX and Design of G.I. Joe, both totaling to around 50 minutes. The Big Bang Theory is quite interesting, with some interviews with the cast and crew, plus some FX work too. It's worth seeing for Stephen Sommers, who obviously enjoyed making the movie.
The Next Gen Action goes into more detail on the sets and CGI, of which there is a massive amount. It's technical and informative, but not as engaging as the Big Bang Theory.
Stephen Sommers and producer Bob Ducsay provide a commentary track for the movie too. This could have gone either way, potentially ending up as a bland studio love-in, but instead it's a great listen, with Sommers candidly explaining the problems with the writers strike, the sequences he doesn't like and how he really pushed the crew to get the movie completed early and on budget. Rarely do commentaries to movies like this sound honest, but this one does.
3/5
Overall.
A stupid action film that knows it's a stupid action film, blessed with a loud and proud DTS-HD audio track. Recommended for a watch, but just don't expect your brain to be teased to breaking point.
3/5
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