G.I. Joe: Retaliation Blu-ray Review
Score: 69
from 2 reviewers
Review Date:
G.I. Joe: Retaliation is an explosive, action-packed upgrade from its predecessor, featuring superior characterization, a compelling story, and reference-quality sound, though the 2D Blu-ray offers better value and visual quality.
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Disc Release Date
Dolby TrueHD
Video: 69
The 2D transfer of 'G.I. Joe: Retaliation' is stellar, boasting sharp details, rich colors, and deep, inky blacks, while the 3D presentation falls short with less dynamic visuals and minimal depth, making it a modest but forgettable experience compared to its 2D counterpart.
Audio: 74
G.I. Joe: Retaliation's Dolby TrueHD 7.1 lossless soundtrack is a dynamic, reference-quality audio experience, offering exceptional clarity, balanced bass, and hyper-aggressive surround activity. Action scenes are immersive with precise sound placement, while dialogue remains consistently clear, making the track ideal for demo showcases.
Extra: 66
The Blu-ray extras for *G.I. Joe: Retaliation* include comprehensive featurettes, a brief selection of deleted scenes, and a balanced commentary by Director John M. Chu and Producer Lorenzo Di Bonaventura. Although lacking in 3D-exclusive content, the extensive behind-the-scenes material offers valuable insights into the film's production, despite some missed opportunities for more profound revelations.
Movie: 66
"G.I. Joe: Retaliation" is a significant improvement over its predecessor, boasting thrilling action sequences, better character dynamics, and genuine adherence to its comic book roots, though still constrained by a generic PG-13 format.
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Video: 69
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.
Audio: 74
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.
Extra: 66
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.
Movie: 66
"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.
Total: 69
"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.
Blu-ray.com review by Martin LiebmanRead review here
Video: 70
There are exceptions; for example, scenes that take place in the abandoned gym look really great, but there's definitely a less dynamic edge to the image on the whole....
Audio: 70
Minimalist elements, small supporting sound pieces, and environmental touches help bring the track to life, again by making use of a very big stage and the track's pinpoint placement and clarity....
Extras: 100
Joe: Declassified: The Monastery (HD, 9:56): Constructing and shooting the Storm Shadow-Snake Eyes Monastery fight and all of the additional action surrounding it, with an extensive look at previz, green...
Movie: 80
Retaliation is a film with its own identity but not its own purpose, a movie that ties up the story from the last film but in many ways feels like about half a franchise reboot, except, of course, in the...
Total: 70
Paramount's Blu-ray 3D release of G.I. Joe: Retaliation features reference-quality sound but a picture quality that's a few ticks below the 2D-only presentation....
High-Def DigestRead review here
Video: 80
Certain shots in the early action sequences work really well with a sense of depth, and I could be convinced that they were staged with 3D in mind....
Audio: 100
Personally, I'd prefer an action movie soundtrack to be a little less bombastic, and to better balance quiet moments (even the extended dialogue-free passage here is noisy as hell) with all the sound and...
Extras: 40
As a result, the two of them merely react to the events on screen and share random, uninformative anecdotes about the shoot....
Movie: 60
Officially, the movie is a direct sequel to 'Rise of Cobra', but if you've forgotten (or never seen) the events of that one, some quick recapping at the beginning will fill in all you need to know....
Total: 80
Whether that's all the fault of the writers and director, or too much studio and Hasbro corporate interference, I can't say....
Director: Jon M. Chu
Actors: Dwayne Johnson, Channing Tatum, Adrianne Palicki
PlotIn an ongoing conflict against the nefarious terrorist group Cobra, the elite military unit known as the G.I. Joes has emerged victorious time and time again. But the battle is far from over. After completing a successful mission to secure a nuclear warhead, the team—led by Duke and his second-in-command, Roadblock—is betrayed from within when the President of the United States is impersonated by the sinister Zartan, a master of disguise and member of Cobra. Under the orders of the faux-president, an airstrike is called upon the G.I. Joe unit, obliterating most of the team and leaving only a handful of survivors. The few Joes who escape must now grapple with a world where their government has declared them enemies, and they are forced to operate in the shadows to clear their names and uncover the depth of Cobra’s infiltration.
Driven by a burning need for vengeance and justice, the remaining Joes formulate a plan to fight back. While Roadblock, Lady Jaye, and Flint work to uncover the conspiracy and expose the imposter President, they recruit the original G.I. Joe, General Joseph Colton, for his expertise and leadership. Meanwhile, another Joe, Snake Eyes, pursues his own mission to locate and contain Storm Shadow, an ex-Joe now siding with Cobra. As they navigate a minefield of danger and deceit, the Joes must also contend with Cobra's ultimate plot to assume control of the world through wide-reaching chaos and powerful new weaponry.
Writers: Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick
Release Date: 28 Mar 2013
Runtime: 110 min
Rating: PG-13
Country: United States
Language: English