GI Joe: Retaliation movie review and background info

STORY: Sequel to GI Joe: Rise Of Cobra. Following the concluding events that led to this new one, the whole GI Joe team are now renegades and trying to expose the threat from within the White House.

Photo courtesy of UIP and Solar Entertainment Corporation

REVIEW: As a long time fan of the GI Joe, I am quite excited about this new GI Joe live action movie. I never thought there will be a sequel since I find the first movie a little disappointing because of background stories of the characters. The only saving grace there was everyone's fan favorite Snake Eyes.

What I like about this sequel was it was more realistic than the previous one. They look more military than in the last movie although they still have high tech gadgets. Just like the last movie there are changes regarding the old characters they incarnated in real life. Gung Ho was an African American but now he's Samoan.

For the new characters, Although they casts Dwayne Johnson and Bruce Willis for the role of Roadblock General "Joe" Colton respectively,it turned out pretty well. For Flint and Lady Jaye, it was not clear what kind of specialty they have in the team.

Jinx, Cobra Commander and the saboteur Firefly were one of the most detailed characters from the original action figures that follows suit after Snake Eyes, Storm Shadow, Baroness and Destro. I like that new look of Cobra Commander that was adapted from the action figure after he was introduced in the last movie. It was more menacing and way better in live action.

For the story, I like the developments here better than in the last movie. I had high hopes in this movie and it never got me disappointed as I have high hopes for this one. Am hoping that there will be a follow up on a sequel soon with new characters and vehicles. Hasbro did a good job having Jon Chu directing this sequel and watching it in 3D and IMAX made it more better.

Screening was held at IMAX SM City North EDSA last March 25, 2013. GI Joe: Retaliation is released and distributed by United American Pictures through Solar Entertainment Corporation in the Phils.

BACKGROUND: If you are a kid during the mid-1980's onwards, I am sure you are familiar with the cartoon and one of the longest line of action figure merchandise in toy history. The first line of GI Joe action figures started in 1964 by toy manufacturer Hasbro with the four different branches in US armed forces. The approximate size of these action figures were 12" (Scale 1:6).

The term GI means government issued. It was commonly used by US soldiers after the first World War. Since Hasbro marketed it internationally especially in UK, it was licensed by a British toy company Palitoy under the name Action Man.

Hasbro first created the first line that represented different branches of the US armed forces with different names. Rocky was the marine/soldier, Skip was the sailor and Ace was the pilot before it became a generic character called GI Joe.

To any American kid or anyone that grew up with American influence from cartoons, comics and movies, GI Joe was the representation of America's military. The idea of releasing a team followed in 1970 known as GI Joe Adventure Team. The team was not identified with code names but only with primary specialty like Sea Adventurer and Air Adventurer. Their antagonist were called The Intruders and was identified as German, Japanese and Russian in reference of their adversaries in the past and current during that time. The figure had different feature back then which was a kung-fu action grip and life-like hair. The Adventure Team Commander was considered to be GI Joe himself. The GI Joe Adventure Team appeared in comics and pocketbook novels.

Image courtesy of Sunbow Studios and Hasbro

In 1982, Hasbro released a new line of GI Joe called GI Joe: A Real American Hero, a military anti-terorrist task force combining the original concept of the first GI Joe and the GI Joe Adventure Team. The team has a different line up of units that has different specializations can adjust to any mission obstacle they encounter. Instead of the 1:6 scale, this line of action figures were smaller approximately 3 3/4"(Scale 1:18) with fixed uniforms.

The only story existed for this line can only be found in the file card of each figure at the back of the packaging. It was written by Larry Hama by drawing his own experiences in the military. This line was supported 3 years later in a TV animated series that spawned a comic book series, an animated movie, a home video movie and more animated series along with more characters, vehicles and two live action movies which is I am reviewing.