G.I. Joe: Retaliation Blu-ray Review

The video presentation of the Blu-ray for "G.I. Joe: Retaliation" offers a dichotomy between its 2D and 3D transfers. The 2D transfer is exceptional, showcasing a richly detailed and contrast-laden image. Utilizing an AVC/MPEG-4 codec, the picture quality stands out with deeply saturated colors and striking inky black levels that maintain shadow detail. The image is impressively sharp and well-defined, preserving the authentic grain structure of the original 35mm film source without suffering from artificial noise reduction or unwanted digital artifacts. However, the prevalent teal-and-orange color grading might not appeal to all viewers but does not detract from the technical supremacy of the transfer. This merits a near-perfect score from a purely technical viewpoint.

Contrastingly, the 3D presentation is somewhat lacking. Unlike many 3D transfers that appear darker, "G.I. Joe: Retaliation" in 3D seems unusually lighter, leading to a paler overall image and lessened black levels compared to its 2D counterpart. The 3D conversion reveals a noticeable lack of depth and dynamism; scenes appear flatter and less vibrant. While specific scenes such as the abandoned gym and the ninja battle on the mountainside showcase better visual depth, these moments are sporadic. The ongoing frenetic camerawork and rapid editing further undermine the 3D effect, making it often feel superfluous or gimmicky. Elements like flying debris and computer graphics occasionally extend beyond the screen's limits, but these instances are fleeting. Overall, the 3D experience doesn't hold up against the impeccable quality of the 2D transfer, leading to a consolidated viewing score that falls short of perfection.

The audio presentation of "G.I. Joe: Retaliation" on Blu-ray sets a new benchmark with its Dolby TrueHD 7.1 lossless soundtrack. Paramount’s production showcases an exceptionally dynamic and immersive soundstage that is both energetic and meticulously clear. From the moment the Paramount logo appears, the track emanates with crystal-clear clarity and a full, spacious soundstage, delivering immediate and natural surround support. The bass is robust yet balanced, providing a visceral depth that enhances the experience of heavy explosions and rumbling ground vehicles. The action scenes are particularly noteworthy, filling the stage with piercing gunfire, zipping aircraft, and other chaotic elements that completely envelop the listener.

The thematic depth of the sound mix doesn’t just shine in high-octane moments. The track also excels in subtlety, using minimalist elements and environmental cues to create a vibrant audio landscape. The dialogue is centrally anchored and consistently clear, maintaining audibility even amid intense action sequences. Musical accompaniment is robust and smoothly integrated, benefiting from the seven-channel layout and ensuring a satisfying blend of highs, mids, and lows. Despite its aggressive approach, the mix avoids overwhelming the listener with unnecessary bass.

Although some may find the hyper-aggressive nature of the soundtrack to be overpowering, this does not detract from its technical brilliance. Each metallic sword clash resonates sharply and every dubstep rhythm reverberates profoundly. While the continuous onslaught of sound can be taxing over the film’s duration, this aligns more with artistic choices rather than technical flaws. Overall, this is a reference-quality track that provides a thoroughly engaging auditory experience for action movie aficionados.

The Blu-ray extras for "G.I. Joe: Retaliation" provide a comprehensive look into the film's production, offering a mix of insightful commentaries, deleted scenes, and extensive behind-the-scenes featurettes. The disc includes an Audio Commentary by Director Jon M. Chu and Producer Lorenzo Di Bonaventura, where they discuss various filmmaking aspects, though it may lack depth for some viewers. The deleted scenes give brief additional context but don't significantly elevate the overall narrative. The highlight is the segmented documentary 'G.I. Joe: Declassified,' which delves into casting, stunts, production design, and more, presented in a structured manner that can be viewed seamlessly. Notably, the content is only available on the 2D Blu-ray disc and not on the 3D or DVD versions.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Insights from Director Jon M. Chu and Producer Lorenzo Di Bonaventura.
• Deleted Scenes: Three scenes, totaling approximately four minutes.
• G.I. Joe: Declassified: Mission Briefing: A look at Director Chu's approach, visual style, and location shoots.
• G.I. Joe: Declassified: Deployment: Military training for actors by Navy SEAL Harry Humphries.
• G.I. Joe: Declassified: Two Ninjas: Dojo set construction and martial arts training.
• G.I. Joe: Declassified: The Desert Attack: Filming a significant character death scene.
• G.I. Joe: Declassified: Cobra Strikes: Examination of the antagonist's character and design.
• G.I. Joe: Declassified: The Lone Soldiers: Analysis of emotional themes and casting Bruce Willis.
• G.I. Joe: Declassified: The Monastery: In-depth look at a major fight sequence.
• G.I. Joe: Declassified: Fort Sumter: Production insights into shooting at Fort Pike.

Additionally, a DVD copy and an UltraViolet digital copy are included in the set.

"G.I. Joe: Retaliation" serves as a semi-reboot and an apology for its predecessor, "The Rise of Cobra." While the film is officially a sequel, it significantly detours from its predecessor, offering a new cast and more straightforward storytelling. Under Jon M. Chu's guidance, the film discards excessive gimmicks and lackluster humor that plagued the first installment. Stepping away from complicated subplots, the narrative focuses on explosive action and pyrotechnics, making it a quintessential popcorn action movie. The plot centers on the surviving Joes—Roadblock (Dwayne Johnson), Flint (D.J. Cotrona), Lady Jaye (Adrianne Palicki), and Snake Eyes (Ray Park)—as they strive to uncover Zartan's masquerade as the President (Jonathan Pryce) and thwart Cobra's plan of global domination through their advanced satellite weaponry.

The film excels in fulfilling action enthusiasts' expectations with plenty of high-octane sequences, martial arts combat, and large-scale explosions without diving deep into character development or emotional arcs. The introduction of Dwayne Johnson as Roadblock adds a refreshing dynamic, offering a natural camaraderie with Channing Tatum's Duke—though Tatum's role feels suspiciously extended due to rumored reshoots to capitalize on his rising star power. Bruce Willis as General Joseph Colton is underused, appearing just enough to fulfill his contractual obligations. Supporting characters like Flint and Jinx remain underdeveloped, while Lady Jaye offers little beyond aesthetic appeal. The villains are not particularly memorable either, serving mainly as catalysts for the action sequences.

Jon M. Chu's direction brings a sense of legitimacy and enthusiasm reminiscent of comic book origins and respecting fan expectations. Despite the simple, sometimes superficial storytelling, "G.I. Joe: Retaliation" offers exactly what it promises: an exhilarating action-packed experience that mitigates the disappointment of its predecessor. Fans of the franchise are likely to appreciate the more faithful adaptation laced with spectacular stunt work and robust visual effects.

"G.I. Joe: Retaliation" emerges as a notable improvement over its predecessor, "The Rise of Cobra." This sequel offers a blend of high-octane action sequences, detailed character development, and a storyline that remains faithful to classic G.I. Joe lore. The film's relentless explosions, sustained bursts of gunfire, and well-choreographed martial arts sequences deliver a robust package of escapism. However, despite its advancements, it falls short of transcending its genre limitations to become anything more than a solid action flick.

From a technical perspective, the 2D Blu-ray release presents outstanding visual and auditory quality. The image clarity is pristine, with remarkable attention to detail in both dark and brightly lit scenes. The sound design is similarly compelling, featuring immersive audio that accentuates the numerous action set pieces. Conversely, the 3D version does not quite measure up; though it has its standout moments, it remains largely unnecessary and underwhelming. The bonus content included is satisfactory but doesn't offer substantial insights into the filmmaking process or the G.I. Joe universe.

If lots of explosions, an endless string of gunfire, and plenty of martial arts action sound even the least bit palatable, check out "G.I. Joe: Retaliation." It’s the zenith of polished, action-packed modern shoot-em-up marvels. Better yet, it is superior to the previous installment in every aspect: better characterization, a compelling story, and a more faithful adaptation of classic G.I. Joe elements make it successful within its natural confines. Though it won't leave audiences pondering the meaning of life, it's rock-solid escapism at its finest. Paramount’s Blu-ray 3D release features reference-quality sound but slightly inferior picture quality compared to the 2D-only version, which ultimately offers better value along with a commendable selection of extras.