Today Marks 10 years since G.I. Joe The Rise of Cobra was released in theaters. Highly anticipated when it was released due to being a live action interpretation of the beloved G.I. Joe brand and the flashy trailers highlighting plenty of action. The film was trashed by critics, while receiving mixed reviews from fans upon it's debut. Looking back at it ten years later the film definitely has it's flaws but it actually deserves a second chance, here are three reasons why.
Action Scenes
The beginning of the film starts off very brisk substituting providing much of a plot to get to the point of action. The first action scene in the film is a very exciting scene, and sets the tone for what I believe the film was going on. A modern day "roller coaster" adventure film containing just enough story to move the plot forward and head to the next action scene. The martial arts scenes between Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow did not disappoint at all, and Ray Park was born to play Snake Eyes. The chase through the streets of Paris no matter how cartoonish, outlandish and all over the place it was, is a highlight of the film.
Live Action Cartoon
While many adaptions and reboots today take a darker more serious tone (i.e. Power Rangers released in 2017). G.I. Joe tried to maintain the feel of a live action cartoon. This included some very corny dialogue and callbacks to traditional G.I. Joe slogans. The film tried it's best to pay homage and include G.I. Joe code names, and locations/headquarters. Some of the sets including the G.I. Joe headquarters and the submarine of Destro along with some of the science in the film had cartoon elements to it. The film isn't really grounded in reality but I believe that was part of the point.
Technology
Released a year after Iron Man spearheaded the MCU and a year before it's sequel, the technology in the Rise of Cobra rivals that of a world inhabited by Tony Stark. With the combination of technology and weaponry used in the recently released "Hobbs & Shaw", this film may have been ahead of the curve in the marriage of weapons and technology. G.I. Joe features nanotechnology called "nanomites" that can be programmed to attack and "eat" through any material. Or it can be used as a mind control device once implanted into a subject. In addition holographic communication, laser guns, devices that can read and display the memories of a dying villain. Fighter jets that rely on voice activation and commands to fly and shoot sonic missiles. Mechanical accelerator suits that provided superhuman abilities to the wearers. Underwater headquarters, secret bases with state of the art technology. A technology geeks wet dream is displayed in this film.
Overview
Surely the filmmakers made a huge mistake with their handling and backstory of Cobra Commander. Making him a doctor gone "crazy" as opposed to a maniac who just wants to take over the world. Altering his mask for the worse was not a smart decision at all. This iteration of Cobra Commander was a far cry from the Cobra Commander everyone loved to hate. Making Duke and Baroness lost lovers also was a unnecessary subplot. A few years later a sequel G.I. Joe Retaliation was released that attempted to rectify some of the issues. While that movie was more grounded in reality and generally more well received it still had it's share of problems and the planned franchise was halted. Hasbro and Paramount are developing another G.I. Joe film and planned spinoff, hopefully they can find the right components of The Rise of Cobra and Retaliation to make a truly great G.I. Joe film that satisfies all fans.
