G.I. Joe: Retaliation Blu-ray Review

The high definition video transfer of "G.I. Joe: Retaliation" is nothing short of stunning. Paramount's 1080p AVC MPEG-4 encode delivers a crystal clear picture with impressive detail and sharpness in nearly every scene. Close-ups reveal every bead of sweat, strand of facial hair, and facial line with incredible accuracy, capturing the most intricate elements such as clothing textures and military gear webbing. The transfer excellently handles a variety of terrains, from sandy deserts to industrial interiors, without losing any detail. Colors are vibrant and warm, particularly greens, reds, and accurate military shades of tan, green, and brown. There’s a consistent warmth that translates to flesh tones, which occasionally bear an orange tint that seems to be the filmmaker's intent. Throughout, deep blacks never lose detail or crush the image, and there’s no visible banding, artificial sharpening, or other extraneous artifacts.

The Panavision presentation captures and renders the imagery beautifully, maintaining pristine quality that Paramount is renowned for in their HD releases. Skin tones look natural, and features such as Snake Eyes' armor mesh and Storm Shadow’s leather jacket are brought to life with striking precision. The slight presence of film grain adds to the authentic feel of the transfer without compromising its clarity. Viewers can expect a pristine presentation free of dirt, debris, or undesirable artifacts. The flawless deep inky blacks enhance the overall viewing experience, ensuring that even the darkest scenes retain their integrity. Despite a few instances where digital explosions may appear less realistic, this is no fault of the video quality itself. If you're looking for nearly perfect video reproduction akin to the standards set by blockbuster titles like "Transformers," this Blu-ray will not disappoint.

The G.I. Joe: Retaliation Blu-ray stands out with an exemplary Dolby TrueHD 7.1 lossless soundtrack that commands attention right from the Paramount logo. Paramount has truly excelled with this dynamic and highly enjoyable audio presentation. The soundstage is expansive and precise, delivering remarkable clarity that thoroughly immerses the listener. The surround support is immediate and natural, with robust yet balanced bass that punctuates action sequences effectively. Explosions, gunfire, and vehicle noises are meticulously presented, enveloping the audience in chaos. Minimalist sound elements and environmental effects further demonstrate the track's broad stage and pinpoint placement, enhancing the overall experience.

Integral to this auditory excellence is the consistently clear and intelligible dialogue emanating from the center channel. The musical score is full-bodied and satisfying, leveraging the full seven-channel implementation with a quality bass element that underscores the audio brilliance. The additional audio options, such as French, Spanish, and Portuguese 5.1 Dolby Digital tracks, ensure accessibility for a wide range of audiences. With this release, Paramount has achieved a reference-quality audio track that hits all the right notes for audiophiles and casual viewers alike.

The extras provided in the Blu-ray release of "G.I. Joe: Retaliation" are impressively comprehensive, offering over an hour of content that delves deeply into the film's production. Fans will appreciate the detailed audio commentary by Director Jon M. Chu and Producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura, which explores the movie’s tone, plot devices, and action sequences. The "G.I. Joe: Declassified" series, spanning eight featurettes, covers various aspects from the director's unique contributions to the extensive martial arts training and practical effects used throughout. Three brief but insightful deleted scenes also add value, giving viewers a peek at what was left on the cutting room floor.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Insightful commentary by Director Jon M. Chu and Producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura.
• Deleted Scenes: Includes "Pakistani President Assassinated," "Interns," and "Arlington."
• Mission Briefing: Discusses director contributions and stylistic changes.
• Deployment: Military preparation and action scene details.
• Two Ninjas: Explores Dojo set building and martial arts training.
• The Desert Attack: Filming challenges in a large sand pit.
• Cobra Strikes: Insight into set design and digital effects.
• The Lone Soldiers: Examines human emotions and casting choices.
• The Monastery: Behind-the-scenes of the monastery fight sequence.
• Fort Sumter: Filming a major action sequence at Fort Pike.

"G.I. Joe: Retaliation" serves as an action-packed successor to the 2009's "The Rise of Cobra" while simultaneously rebooting the franchise. Dropping much of the previous cast and characters, the film introduces new leads such as Roadblock (Dwayne Johnson) and Lady Jaye (Adrianne Palicki). This installment amplifies its cinematic style significantly, emphasizing relentless action sequences, from high-caliber firefights to invigorating martial arts battles featuring fan favorites like Snake Eyes. Explosions and combat drive the plot, keeping the pace fast and invigorating, albeit at the expense of significant character development or emotional depth. However, it achieves its mission of delivering an exhilarating popcorn movie experience.

The narrative this time navigates through the global threat posed by Cobra, orchestrated by Zartan (Arnold Vosloo), who impersonates the President (Jonathan Pryce). Incorporating a more straightforward action film approach under Jon M. Chu's direction, "Retaliation" distances itself from the first film's excessive gimmicks and humor. Channing Tatum’s character meets an early exit, presumed to capitalize on his post-2009 popularity surge, leading to further tweaks and re-shoots—albeit with underwhelming 3D enhancements. The screenplay by Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick keeps the stakes high with a compelling story of betrayal and survival.

Retaliation's ensemble cast further strengthens the film’s appeal, featuring notable performances from Bruce Willis as General Colton and RZA as Blind Master. Despite some underused characters like Jinx and Flint, or less impactful villains (excluding standouts Zartan and Storm Shadow), Dwayne Johnson’s charisma as Roadblock enriches the narrative. The straightforward yet thrilling storytelling and dynamic action sequences resonate well with action enthusiasts, marking a considerable improvement over its predecessor without straying too far into unnecessary theatrics. In conclusion, "G.I. Joe: Retaliation" emerges as an explosive, entertaining entry that respects its roots while aiming for broader appeal.

"G.I. Joe: Retaliation" on Blu-ray offers a quintessential modern action film experience, featuring a blend of intense explosions, relentless gunfire, and captivating martial arts sequences. The movie significantly improves upon its predecessor with better characterization and a storyline that resonates more faithfully with classic G.I. Joe lore. Paramount’s 2D Blu-ray release excels in technical aspects, showcasing pristine High-Definition video and robust lossless audio. The disc includes an array of extras that add depth to the viewing experience, ensuring several hours of engaging content.

The production quality of "G.I. Joe: Retaliation" on Blu-ray is impeccable, as it boasts reference-quality picture and sound. Fans will appreciate the return of iconic characters like Cobra Commander, bringing childhood action figures to life on the screen, whether viewed on a large HDTV or smaller setups. The exceptional clarity and dynamic audio contribute to an immersive and exhilarating viewing experience. The film manages to strike the right balance between nostalgia and contemporary action, making it an enjoyable watch for both new viewers and long-time fans.

In conclusion, if explosive action, sustained intensity, and martial arts excitement appeal to you, "G.I. Joe: Retaliation" is a must-watch. It's the pinnacle of refined, action-centric cinema and surpasses its predecessor in every dimension. With enhanced characterization, a compelling storyline, and a dedicated homage to the original G.I. Joe, it serves as outstanding escapist entertainment. Paramount's Blu-ray release provides exceptional picture and sound quality, along with a robust selection of additional content. Highly recommended for action aficionados seeking a high-quality home viewing experience.