"G.I. JOE: RETALIATION" (2013) Review

 

"G.I. JOE: RETALIATION" (2013) Review

Following the success of 2009's "G.I. JOE: THE RISE OF COBRA", Hasbro and Paramount Pictures followed up with a sequel set a few years after the first film. Unlike the 2009 movie, this latest film was not directed by Stephen Sommers. And several cast members from the first film did not reprise their roles.

When the G.I. Joes are framed for stealing nuclear warheads from Pakistan, Cobra minion Zartan - in disguise as the President of the United States - orders their elimination at their camp in the Middle East via a military air strike. The latter kills most of the Joes, including one Conrad "Duke" Hauser, who had been awarded his own team of Joes following the incidents of the 2009 film. The survivors - Sergeant Marvin "Roadblock" Hinton, Alison "Lady Jaye" Hart-Burnett, and Dashiell "Flint" Faireborn - make their way to the U.S. to learn why the Joes had been destroyed by the President. When Zartan (as President) announces that COBRA troops will replace the Joes, Lady Jaye realizes that he is an impersonator. The trio seeks help from the original Joe, General Joseph Colton. Other Joe survivors include Snake Eyes, who has returned to his old order in Japan to train a new apprentice, Jinx. When COBRA operatives Storm Shadow (who had survived his duel with Snake Eyes in the 2009 film) and Firefly (an ex-Joe) rescue COBRA Commander and Destro from an underground maximum-security prison in Germany, the former sustains injuries during the escape attempt and heads for a Himalayan temple to recover. Snake Eyes' new order leader, the Blind Master, learn of Storm Shadow's new location and orders Snake Eyes and Jinx to capture him so that he can answer for the late Hard Master's death.

I might as well admit it . . . "G.I. JOE: RETALIATION" was a disappointment. Many might be wondering about my disappointment, considering the prevailing view of the its predecessor, "G.I. JOE: THE RISE OF COBRA". The 2009 movie may not have been a cinematic masterpiece or anything close to it, but I thought it had been a fun movie filled with strong characterizations and a somewhat decent plot. I cannot say this new "G.I. JOE" flick had been a lot of fun for me. Despite my disappointment, the movie did possess some virtues.

The main virtue turned out to be leading man, Dwayne Johnson. The actor did the best he could to keep this movie together. And as he has done in his past movies, he gave it his all. I can say the same about Byung-hun Lee, whose portrayal of Storm Shadow proved to be even more interesting and complex in this second film. I was also impressed by the always talented and dependable Jonathan Pryce, who had the double duty of portraying the disguised Zartan and the real President of the United States. Adrianne Palicki injected some energy into the story with a lively performance as fellow Joe, Lady Jaye Hart-Burnett. Despite his limited appearance, Channing Tatum seemed a lot more relaxed as Duke Hauser in this film. He also had a nice chemistry with Johnson. Also, the movie boasted one of the best action sequences I have seen in recent film. I speak of Snake Eyes and Jinx's attempt to capture Storm Shadow from the Himalayan temple and prevent the latter's men from rescuing him. Director Jon M. Chu really outdid himself in that sequence.

So . . . what was it about the movie that I found disappointing? Despite Chu's outstanding direction in the Himalayan sequence, I was not that impressed by his work in the rest of the film. I missed Stephen Sommers. I also missed Channing Tatum's presence after his character was killed off 20-30 minutes into the movie. He went from leading man in the 2009 movie to a guest star in this latest film. Most of all, I missed some of the cast members from the first film. Not only did I miss them, I would like to know what the hell happened to them? What happened to Ripcord, who was Duke's longtime best friend? What happened to Scarlett, Heavy Duty, Breaker and General Hawk? Where they also killed during the airstrike against the Joes' Middle Eastern base? Did some of them leave the Joes before the events of this movie? What happened to them? What happened to Anna Lewis DeCobray? The end of the 2009 movie saw her in protective custody, awaiting for American scientists to remove nanomites from inside her body. Was she still in custody during the events of this movie? Did anyone bother to inform her about Duke's death? Apparently not, since she was never mentioned in the film.

Some of the new additions to the cast did not help this movie. I hate to say this but D.J. Cotrona's portrayal as G.I. Joe Flint Faireborn had struck me as dull. Boring. Mind numbing. My God! Even Joseph Mazzello, who made a brief appearance as a Joe sharpshooter on Duke's team, struck me as ten times more livelier. I love Bruce Willis. I have been a fan of his for years. But what in the hell was he doing in this film? I could have understood if he had replaced Dennis Quaid as General Hawk, commander of the Joes. Instead, Willis portrayed the original Joe, General Colton. Yes, he participated in the movie's final action sequence. And yes, he provided some arms to the team. But what was he doing in this film? His character seemed like such a waste. And Willis seemed as if he was going through the motions. Ray Stevenson gave a lively performance as ex-Joe turned COBRA minion, Firefly. The problem is that the screenplay failed to mention what led him to leave the Joes and join COBRA. Luke Bracey replaced Joseph Gordon-Levitt as COBRA Commander. And honestly? He was not that interesting. Not only did I miss Gordon-Levitt, I now believe the movie should have allowed Zartan (as the President) to serve as the movie's main villain. What else can I say about "G.I. JOE: RETALIATION"? Other than the main villain's goal seemed similar to the villain's goal in the 2009 movie? Okay . . . I said it. Thanks to the screenwriters, the details of COBRA Commander's plot initially seemed different. But using arms to achieve world power seemed disappointingly familiar.

Despite the presence of Dwayne Johnson, Byung-hun Lee, a few others and an outstanding action sequence in the Himalayans; "G.I. JOE: RETALIATION" proved to be a disappointing follow-up to its 2009 predecessor. Mind you, "G.I. JOE: THE RISE OF COBRA" was no masterpiece. But it was a hell of a lot more fun and substantial than this piece of work.

"G.I. JOE: RETALIATION" (2013) Photo Gallery

 

Below are images from "G.I. JOE: RETALIATION", the sequel to the 2009 movie, "G.I. JOE: THE RISE OF COBRA". Directed by Jon M. Chu, the movie stars Dwayne Johnson, Byung-Hun Lee, Adrianne Palicki, Ray Park, and D.J. Controna:

 



"G.I. JOE: RETALIATION" (2013) Photo Gallery

Uniforms for Female S.H.I.E.L.D. Agents

 

While viewing many Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) films and television productions over the years, I have noticed something. I find it rather interesting . . . or perplexing that the clothes worn by the majority of female S.H.I.E.L.D. field agents wore tight-fitting uniforms.



UNIFORMS FOR FEMALE S.H.I.E.L.D. AGENTS

My question is . . . why? Before I continue, I will acknowledge there is one female character who wears a tight-fitting uniform - namely Carol Danvers aka Captain Marvel:



However, Carol Danvers was a U.S. Air Force pilot before she became an enhanced being. The uniform she wore was a variation of the Kree uniform that she originally wore after disappearing from Earth. And it was based on the uniform created for her in Marvel Comics. Could Marvel Comics and later, the MCU have created a less sexualized uniform for her? Yes. But that is nothing in compare to the uniforms worn by most S.H.I.E.L.D. agents within the franchise. And aside from two men - most female S.H.I.E.L.D. agents. Like Captain Marvel's uniform, they are basically tight-fitting leather uniforms with a few variations. Below are following examples:



Agent Natasha Romanoff aka the Black Widow





Agent Maria Hill





Agent Melinda May aka "the Calvary"





Agent Daisy Johnson aka Skye aka Quake





Agent Bobbi Morse aka Mockingbird





Agent Elena Rodriguez aka Yo-Yo


There were at least three male S.H.I.E.L.D. operatives who constantly wore tight fitting leather uniforms:



Steve Rogers aka Captain America





Agent Clint Barton aka Hawkeye





Director Jeffrey Mace aka the Patriot

Out of eight S.H.I.E.L.D. agents and one agency director, only three were men. Three out of nine. And only one of them - Agent Barton - was not an enhanced (genuine or otherwise) individual. Yet, the majority of male S.H.I.E.L.D. field operatives usually wore what the situation called for - whether it was a military-style uniform, casual clothes or a suit.

I can only recall three female field operatives who did not wear any style of a leather unitard:



S.S.R. Agent/S.H.I.E.L.D. Director Peggy Carter - She never wore any kind of unitard or leather uniform during her years as a S.S.R. (forerunner of S.H.I.E.L.D. agency) agent. She wore an Army uniform or a military-style jumpsuit in the field during World War II and the early months of the post-war years.





Agent Sharon Carter - I have only seen her in pants, a blouse and a jacket in "CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER"; and in jeans/pants, a blouse and a vest (or jacket) in "CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR".





Agent Piper - Like many of her male colleagues, she wore either a military-style uniform or a casual outfit that consists of jeans/pants, a blouse and a jacket. How she managed to avoid being squeezed into a tight, leather unitard is a mystery. And great luck for her.


This brings me back to my original question. Why did the Marvel Cinematic Universe found it necessary to have its S.H.I.E.L.D. female characters dress in a tight, leather unitard (or something close to it)? Why have these characters dress like Cathy Gale and Emma Peel from the old "THE AVENGERS" television series? And why is it that most of the S.H.I.E.L.D. characters that dressed this way were women?

"AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D.": Conflict Within

 

"AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D.": CONFLICT WITHIN

I just finished a re-watch of the Season Two "AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D." episode, (2.15) "One Door Closes". I really enjoyed the flashbacks featuring the experiences of Alphonso "Mack" Mackenzie, Bobbi Morse and Robert Gonzales on the day S.H.I.E.L.D. fell in (1.17) "Turn, Turn, Turn" and "CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER". But looking at the "S.H.I.E.L.D. agents v. real S.H.I.E.L.D." story arc from Season Two - I now realize that it was one of the major reasons why I disliked that season so much.

For me, that story arc was just stupid beyond belief. After watching Bobbi, Mack, Gonzales and Isabelle Hartley survive the fall of S.H.I.E.L.D., I found myself incapable of rooting for the series' main protagonists - Phil Coulson and his team. In fact, I could not. It was not hard to be upset over the mistrust that Gonzales’ team held toward Agent Skye aka Daisy Johnson and other Inhumans without getting to know them. I found some of Gonzales’ comments about Fury a little hard to swallow as well. Fury had his faults, but he did not have a God’s complex. I also felt that Gonzales, Anne Weaver and the others from the agency’s different factions should have contacted Coulson from the beginning. But I also found Coulson’s unwillingness to really work with Gonzales and the others without being the agency’s top dog even more hard to swallow.

What exactly was wrong with Coulson working on the same committee as Gonzales and Weaver? Coulson kept claiming that the agency could only be managed by one person at the top. And since Fury had selected him to be the Agency's new director in the Season One finale, (1.22) "Beginning of the End", he felt he was that one person. Apparently, Coulson, who had worked for S.H.I.E.L.D. since he left school, had forgotten that the agency had been managed by more than one person before Howard Stark’s death in December 1991.

Stark, Peggy Carter and their former wartime commander, Chester Phillips had served as the agency’s leaders for a little over 20 years until the latter’s death around the beginning of the 1970s. For a period of 20 to 21 years, both Peggy and Howard ran S.H.I.E.L.D., with HYDRA mole Mitchell Carson almost completing the triumvirate. It was during this latter period when Coulson had joined the agency. Only from December 1991 - the time of Stark’s death - to the present day, was S.H.I.E.L.D. led by one person. Peggy Carter was the first, solely leading the agency until her retirement. Alexander Pierce became the next sole director, followed by Nick Fury. The latter appointed Coulson as the next S.H.I.E.L.D. director to succeed him, unaware of Gonzales, Weaver and a few others had formed a committee to manage their own S.H.I.E.L.D. organization. For a day or two, Mack succeeded Coulson as the new director during mid-Season Three, until the latter resumed the position. Then Coulson stepped down as Director following the defeat of HIVE in the Season Three finale, (3.22) "Ascension". Jeffrey Mace became the fourth S.H.I.E.L.D. Director until his death in the Season Four episode, (4.18) "No Regrets". Coulson resumed the position of Director for the rest of Season Four and throughout Season Five (with the exception of a few episodes during which Daisy Johnson served as acting Director), until his second death after that season's finale, (5.22) "The End". Mack permanently became the current director by the end of that episode.

During a rough period of 28 out of 71 years, S.H.I.E.L.D. had only one leader. Coulson had been with S.H.I.E.L.D. long enough to know this. But his ego and blind adherence to Fury’s words would not allow him to accept this. As for Gonzales, Weaver and other leaders of the agency’s other faction; their prejudices against enhanced beings - fueled by HYDRA using one to attack Weaver on the day of the agency’s fall - had blinded them to the possibility that not all enhanced beings were a threat.

I realized that Coulson had made his peace with Gonzales, Weaver and the S.H.I.E.L.D. committee before Season Two ended. But honestly? This whole story arc was a cock up from the beginning and completely unnecessary. And it proved to be one of the main reasons why I disliked Season Two of "AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D." so much.

"Celebrating Unoriginality"

"CELEBRATING UNORIGINALITY"

Many people love to praise FOX science-fiction series, "THE ORVILLE" to the sky. Many praise it for being the epitome of the "traditional aspects" of the STAR TREK franchise. Even more so than the latest entry of the latter, "STAR TREK DISCOVERY". 

I have my suspicions on why so many love to praise "THE ORVILLE" to the detriment of the CBS Access series. I suspect that both sexism and racism are two of the reasons behind this sentiment . . . especially in regard to the leading lady of "STAR TREK DISCOVERY". However, there is some aspect or style of "THE ORVILLE" that makes me understand why many others would make this claim about the series being "traditional Trek". Unfortunately, I do not think this aspect has proven to be beneficial to the FOX series.

How can I be anymore blunt? To me, "THE ORVILLE" is basically a remake of the second Trek series, "STAR TREK NEXT GENERATION", but with a touch of leading actor Seth MacFarlane's style of humor. I just wish the series could be different. OfferA DIFFERENT STYLE in its presentation of episodes. It had recently occurred to me that "NEXT GENERATION" reminded me a lot "STAR TREK THE ORIGINAL SERIES" than any of the other Trek shows. In terms of format and the style of shows, it is almost seems like a remake or continuation of the 1966-69 series. Perhaps this is not surprising considering that the 1987-94 series, along with "THE ORIGINAL SERIES", was created by Gene Roddenberry. This could be a reason why it seems more beloved by the franchise's fandom and producers, save for the first series. 

My recent viewing of "THE ORVILLE" made me suspect that it pretty much repeated what "NEXT GENERATION" had done in terms of storytelling and format. Although both shows were willing to explore the different quirks and minor flaws of its main characters, both seemed hellbent upon portraying Humans as generally more superior than other alien races. Both shows seemed willing to put humanity on a pedestal. The Moclus race, as personified by the Lieutenant Commander Bortus character, bears a strong resemblance to the Klingons of the 24th century. And Bortus seems to be another Lieutenant (later Commander) Worf. Even the relationship between MacFarlane's Captain Ed Mercer and Adrianne Palicki's Commander Kelly Grayson almost seems like a re-hash of the Commander William Riker and Counselor Deanna Troi relationship, as portrayed by Jonathan Frakes and Marina Sartis in "NEXT GENERATION". And yet, the Trek shows that followed "NEXT GENERATION" seemed to be willing to offer something different. 

"STAR TREK DEEP SPACE NINE" was set on a space station and possessed a narrative structure that very slowly developed into a serial format by its third season. "STAR TREK VOYAGER" featured a crew traveling alone on the other side of the galaxy that comprised of Starfleet officers and crewmen, Maquis freedom fighters, an ex-convict/former Starfleet officer, two aliens and a former Borg drone. Superficially, "STAR TREK: ENTERPRISE" seemed a lot like "THE ORIGINAL SERIES" and "NEXT GENERATION", but it was set a century before 1966-69 series - during the few years before the establishment of the Federation, and it featured a serialized narrative about a major war during its third season. "STAR TREK DISCOVERY” proved to be a Trek series that has been serialized since its first episode. More importantly, its main character IS NOT a star ship or space station commander. 

The Trek shows that had followed "NEXT GENERATION" have been more willing to explore the uglier side of the Federation, Starfleet and Humanity; than the first two series. This has been especially apparent in "DEEP SPACE NINE", "VOYAGER" and "DISCOVERY". And aside from "VOYAGER, the Trek shows that followed "NEXT GENERATION" have been willing to utilize a serialized format - something that many fans seemed to lack the patience to endure lately. Most of this criticism toward a serialized narrative has been directed against "DISCOVERY". However, I personally find this ironic, considering that the other Trek shows have used this narrative device with the same quality as the other shows. At least in my eyes. I suspect that this heavy criticism toward "DISCOVERY" has more to do with the show's lead than its writing quality. Even "VOYAGER" has been willing to serialized some of its episodes on a limited scale, especially during its mid-Season Four. 

Officially, "THE ORVILLE" is not a part of the Trek franchise. Why does it feel that it is? And Why does it have to feel like it? Because its creator and star, Seth MacFarlane, had this need to pay homage to "NEXT GENERATION"? Or even "THE ORIGINAL SERIES"? Why? Some advocates of "THE ORVILLE" have pointed out the series' style of humor and the fact that it features a LGBTQ couple. However, "DISCOVERY", which had premiered during the same month and year, also features a LGBTQ couple. And previous Trek shows and movies have featured or hinted LGBTQ romance and/or sexuality in the past - namely "DEEP SPACE NINE"and the 2016 movie, "STAR TREK BEYOND". Even television series like "BABYLON 5" and "BATTLESTAR: GALACTICA" have featured or hinted LGBTQ issues. But more importantly, both shows, along with "FARSCAPE" and others in the science-fiction genre have managed to be completely original both style and substance. Why did MacFarlane feel he had to literally copy "NEXT GENERATION" when other Trek shows have managed to be more original? The only aspect of "THE ORVILLE" that I truly find original is its occasional use of twisted humor. And even that has appeared even less during the series' second season. 

This is what I find so frustrating about "THE ORVILLE". One, I feel that it is basically "traditional Trek" disguised as another science-fiction franchise. Even worse, it seems like a close rip-off of "STAR TREK NEXT GENERATION". I see nothing complimentary about this. I find it sad that so many people do. And I find it even sadder that so many people are willing to put "THE ORVILLE" on a pedestal for . . . what? For the series' lack of originality? Because these fans want to cling to the past? This is just sad. No . . . not, sad. Pathetic. At least to me.

TV Tropes on Grant Ward and Bobbi Morse

TV TROPES ON GRANT WARD AND BOBBI MORSE

I have been aware that a good number of Marvel fans have been in a tizzy over the Grant Ward character from "AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D.". But I had no idea that this "celebration of masculinity" would lead to some misleading views or "facts" about him. 

What brought about this article in the first place? It all started with the website known as TV TROPES. While reading the website's page for "AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D.", it had this to say about Ward and his encounter with S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent Bobbi Morse aka Mockingbird in the series' Season Two episode called (2.22/2.23) "S.O.S.":

"(Ward) Has killed the most named protagonists on the show, including Victoria Hand, Eric Koenig, and Rosalind Price. Furthermore, he successfully tortures and comes very close to killing Bobbi, likely the team’s biggest badass (and Hunter as well, for that matter). While he ultimately fails in killing her, he succeeds in heavily injuring her to the point of breaking her morale in her job. It’s unlikely Bobbi has ever faced anything else like that in her career."

Wow! Talk abut a worship of uber masculinity! Apparently, the writer of this passage failed to remember that Ward had great difficulty with torturing Bobbi, let alone handling her. At least on his own. TV TROPES also failed to recall that despite being a beaten prisoner, Bobbi managed to take Ward by surprise and attempt escape from her imprisonment. Ward had great difficulty in putting her down and she nearly kicked his ass. He needed the help of his brainwashed girlfriend, former S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent Kara Palamas/Agent 13 to finally defeat the wounded Bobbi during their fight. Aside from Melinda May, Ward probably never met anyone like Bobbi Morse. And TV TROPES failed to realize this. 

I do not know if the TV TROPES passage had been written by a man or a woman. Whoever wrote it, was obviously impressed by Ward’s testosterone level . . . to the point that it led to memory loss.

Top Five Favorite Episodes of "AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D." Season Three (2015-2016)

Below is a list of my top five favorite episodes from Season Three of Marvel's "AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D.". Created by Joss Whedon, Jed Whedon, and Maurissa Tancharoen; the series stars Clark Gregg: 



TOP FIVE FAVORITE EPISODES OF "AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D." SEASON THREE (2015-2016)



1. (3.10) "Maveth" - In this compelling mid-season finale, both S.H.I.E.L.D. Director Phil Coulson and Agent Leo Fitz deal with Grant Ward and a team of HYDRA agents on the same distant planet that Agent Jemma Simmons had earlier found herself trapped on, after using the Monolith to travel there.





2. (3.17) "The Team" - While the agency's Inhuman team embark upon an inaugural mission in this tense episode, Coulson learn from the captured HYDRA leader Gideon Malick that the Kree being known as Hive has the ability to control all Inhumans. Coulson has to decide whom Hive has assumed control. 





3. (3.14) "Watchdogs" - While on leave, Agent Alphonso Mackenzie and his brother have a violent encounter with a group of vigilantes called "the Watchdogs", who desire to kill all Inhumans.






4. (3.04) "Among Us Hide . . ." - After S.H.I.E.L.D. psychiatrist Dr. Andrew Garner is found, after being assaulted by HYDRA agents, his ex-wife Agent Melinda May and Agent Lance Hunter increased their search for Ward and his HYDRA cronies. Meanwhile, Coulson believes that ATCU Director Rosalind Price is hiding a secret.





5. (3.05) "4,722 Hours" - This unusual episode chronicled the period that Simmons spent on the Kree planet, after being dragged there by the Monolith in the Season Two finale.

"AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D." Season Three (2015-2016) Photo Gallery

Below are images from Season Three of the ABC series, "AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D.". Created by Joss Whedon, Jed Whedon, and Maurissa Tancharoen; the series stars Clark Gregg: 


"AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D." SEASON THREE (2015-2016) Photo Gallery