G.I. Joe Retaliation reviews from around the Joe community

G.I. Joe Retaliation March 28

While tomorrow is the official release date, a few theater chains across the US had early screenings of G.I. Joe Retaliation last night and more showings this evening.  With showings come comments and reviews– many from site owners and long-time Joe fans.  In order to give fans a fair picture of the overall community vibe for the movie, I’ve collected Joe site and Joe fan reviews below.  These aren’t from paid media outlets but rather from folks just like you and I.  Just remember, everyone is entitled to their opinion– even if it isn’t necessarily in step with your own.

Note: some of these will contain spoilers to varying degrees.   Read at your own risk.

G.I. Joe Retaliation Reviews:

I’ll add more as I find them.  If you know of a Joe site with a review of the film, toss me a comment below and I’ll add it to the list!

JBL reviews G.I. Joe Retaliation

G.I Joe Retaliation movie poster

To borrow a phrase from one of the recent Star Trek series “It’s been a long road, getting from there to here.”  Two years since Rise of Cobra and then an unexpected nine month delay before G.I. Joe fans were treated to a second attempt at a big screen franchise of their favorite Real American Heroes.  Nearly three years since G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra tore apart the G.I. Joe fandom and tarnished the image of the once-dominant brand as a kitschy modern day remake of Mega-Force.  This time, however, things appeared to be different.  Director Jon M. Chu, better known for his Justin Bieber documentary, set to direct a script from the talented duo that brought us Zombieland.  Admittedly, all were fans of the incredible comic run by the “godfather of G.I. Joe” Larry Hama and promised a film that was more true to its comic roots than RoC.  However, I’d heard that song and dance before but tonight felt different.  The lights dimmed and I sat with friends in a surprise early birthday celebration organized by my wonderful girlfriend Amanda.  Was this a film to redeem the brand, the fandom, and reignite the enthusiasm of many disheartened fans?

Read on and find out one Joe fan’s opinion…

JBL Reviews G.I. Joe Retaliation  (mostly spoiler-free)

 

Feel free to add your own comments below!

JBL Review: G.I. Joe Retaliation Cobra Trooper

g.i. joe retaliation cobra trooper

 

G.I. Joe Retaliation is hitting theaters nationally as early as Tuesday night.  With that in mind, JBL continues its reviews of the movie line with the Retaliation Cobra Trooper!  While not entirely screen accurate, this figure from the first wave came complete with a removable helmet and a working parachute that hearkens back to the action figures of the 80’s.  However, with wave 3 containing a screen accurate Cobra Trooper in the form of the Cobra Combat Ninja, is this figure worth picking up?

Check out the review in the G.I. Joe Retaliation Review Index and find out one Joe fan’s opinion!

G.I. Joe Retaliation reviews from around the web

G.I Joe Retaliation movie posterThe reviews for G.I. Joe Retaliation are starting to trickle in online with two new ones dropping this morning.  While I’m desperately trying to remain spoiler-free until I can see it Wednesday night, I’ve been skimming the reviews to see what the reaction has been.  So far, things are VERY favorable with one exception.  (In that instance, the reviewer’s tone seemed to be prejudiced against the film from the get-go.)

Here are the reviews I’ve read thus far.  Varying degrees of spoilers contained within so read at your own risk!

I’ll be posting JBL’s own review (as will every other G.I. Joe site) this week after I’ve had a chance to see it!  In the meantime, keep your eyes peeled to G.I. Joe Retaliation @ RottenTomatoes.com for a full aggregate score!

 

JBL Review: G.I. Joe Retaliation Cobra Commander

G.I. Joe Retaliation Cobra Commander

 

I won’t mince words– G.I. Joe Retaliation looks to be an improvement on its cinematic predecessor in just about every way imaginable.  One of the most immediate examples of this would be found in the design of Cobra Commander.  No longer does the leader of the armies of the serpent look like a bad example of cosplay at a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles convention.  The Commander has been given a bold new look that long-time Joe fans will find surprisingly familiar.  However, is this new figure worth picking up when there are 50 other version of him already on the market?

Check out Cobra Commander in the G.I. Joe Retaliation Review Index and find out one Joe fan’s opinion!

JBL Review: G.I. Joe Retaliation Ninja Duel Snake Eyes

ndsnakeeyesglory2

 

The G.I. Joe Retaliation reviews continue as we’re now 9 days away from the film’s debut on March 28, 2013!

There’s no shortage of Snake Eyes action figures in the G.I. Joe figure line so it shouldn’t surprise anyone that the team’s ninja commando has already had three figures released for the movie.  However, only one of those figures is screen accurate– the Ninja Duel Snake Eyes from wave 2.  Featuring an entirely new sculpt and increased articulation, this figure brings our favorite silent warrior’s updated look to your action figure shelf.  Does this figure justify the purchase of yet “another” Snake Eyes or can you pass and save yourself some extra cash?

Check out the break down in the G.I. Joe Retaliation Review Index and find out one Joe fan’s opinion!

Review: G.I. Joe Retaliation Battle Kata Roadblock

G.I. Joe Retaliation Battle Kata Roadblock

G.I. Joe Retaliation reviews continue here at JBL!

He’s large and in charge and he just might be carrying the “people’s heavy machine gun!”  That’s right– I’m talking about an action figure based on Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s portrayal of Roadblock in G.I. Joe Retaliation!  In the second wave of figures Marvin S. Hinton is dubbed “Battle Kata Roadblock” based on his innovative modular weapon system.  He’s also sporting a full Arashikage tattoo on his forearm.  So, has Roadblock gone over to the “Ninja Side”?  Is this figure worth the $9.99 sticker price?

Check out  the G.I. Joe Retaliation Review Index and find out one Joe fan’s opinion!

JBL Review: G.I. Joe Retaliation Cyber Ninja!

G.I. Joe Retaliation Cyber Ninjas

Reviews are back!  This time JBL takes a look at the G.I. Joe Retaliation Cyber Ninja action figure from wave 2.5.  A fusion of modern technology and traditional techniques, this figure is a stealth warrior in a stealth suit that makes me wish we were still getting actual file cards with the figures!  He’s a mix of existing tooling that creates a brand new character for Cobra!

However, is this figure worth picking up?  Hit the G.I. Joe Retaliation Review Index and check him out!

After last week’s unexpected set back reviews should continue now all the way up to the film’s release on March 28!

JBL Review: G.I. Joe Retaliation wave 1 Red Ninja

G.I. Joe Retaliation Red Ninja figure review

The G.I. Joe Retaliation reviews continue here at JBL with a figure that has had a long history in G.I. Joe comics.  Making their debut in the celebrated G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero vol 1 #21 by Marvel Comics, the red ninjas were originally believed to be a trio of apprentices to the Cobra ninja Storm Shadow.  However, after their quick and violent defeat at the hands of Snake Eyes, the Red Ninjas returned time and time again in an ever-expanding role in the comics.  At one point they were even in the service of the Cobra Saboteur Firefly!

For G.I. Joe Retaliation, the Red Ninjas appear to have gone back to their roots as warriors hidden away in a remote mountain castle.  Recent trailers have shown them accompanying Cobra Commander through ranks of Cobra Special Forces soldiers as part of an entourage.  Regardless of how they’re used, these familiar warriors will be hitting the big screen on March 28, 2013.  However, the real question to be asked is: “are these figures worth adding to my G.I. Joe collection?” After all, there was a release of the Red Ninjas back in the 25th anniversary collection, right?  Well, check out the review to find out this Joe fan’s opinion!

The Red Ninja review and many others can be found in the G.I. Joe Retaliation Review Index!

JBL Review: G.I. Joe Retaliation Flint!

G.I. Joe Retaliation Flint action figure

Another day and another G.I. Joe Retaliation figure review!  This time I’ll be taking a look at a figure based on the cinematic debut of the G.I. Joe team’s premiere warrant officer– Flint!   Brought to life by actor D. J. Cotrona, Dashiell R. Fairborne will be hitting the big screen on March 29, 2012 and his action figure is hitting stores now.  It’s not 100% screen accurate to the trailers and yet the figure has its merits.  However, is it worth spending your hard-earned cash to add this figure to your collection?  Read the review to find out one Joe fan’s opinion!

Check out Flint in the G.I. Joe Retaliation Review Index!

(Yes, it is the end of the world– 3 reviews in the span of 7 days.  This can’t be JBL, right? Right?!)