My take on the Summer Blockbusters

G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra

Director: Stephen Sommers

Theatre visits: 1

What’s it about: An elite team of covert operations specialists chosen from around the globe fight to wade off a megalomaniac weapons manufacturer and his mad scientist. The movie tracks the rise of the Cobra terrorist organization and is the first live action feature film based on the G.I. Joe toy line/comic series.

Whistles: Finally a live-action movie on G.I. Joe, Joseph Gordon Lewitt’s Cobra Commander, special effects in pieces, the chase scene in Paris, Marlon Wayans’ Ripcord (I was surprised to see that he was good.), Snake Eyes, connecting flashbacks, Storm Shadow-Snake Eyes duel, Arnold Vosloo’s cool-and-cold Zartan, the hotties Sienna Miller and Rachel Nichols, the cliffhanger.

Boos: Relentless pace, terrible and unpolished CGI in many sections (I doubt whether they actually spent $175 million making this movie or not), Channing Tatum’s Duke, Breaker (is he gay?), failure to cash in on major action sequences, the illogical scene of polar ice packs sinking (ice doesn’t sink in water…even toddlers know that)

Verdict: Not bad. I’m forced to like it as I love the G.I. Joe characters so much. Stephen Sommers disappointed. I’d like to see a sequel though with more characters and some quality special effects. Gore Verbinski is my recommendation for the director's chair.

Sequel suggestions: TF2 league CGI, more screen time for Joseph Gordon Lewitt, Arnold Vosloo and Dennis Quaid. And give Brendan Fraser a major role. He has immense popularity in the Asia Pacific. How else do you think Mummy 3 survived? Bring in some actors from other nations in guest or major roles. The latest incarnation of G.I. Joe proclaims it as an international team anyway. Put that line to good use.