...And knowing is Half the Battle!

GI Joe. If you've watched the cartoon, if you read the comics, if you had the toys- just fear not. You'll enjoy the movie. Its one of those that's like cotton candy, it seems huge but when you actually ingest it, there's nothing there. Does that mean its not entertaining? Hell no. You just might have trouble with people who aren't familiar with the canon. But I had proof because my date had no idea about how cool Snake Eyes was going to be and she had a great time. But sorry fellas, she's one in a million.

What a great film. You'll watch this and wish that they had done something like this for the most recent Transformers movie. It's got all the fun that you'll recall from playing with toys (not just GI Joe, but any toys). Things blow up, people have histories, chase scenes bring a lot of destruction. Lives are at stake, lives are taken, lives are saved.

This is more in line with the Dark Knight in terms of rating. Its one of the hardest PG-13 movies in a while. Its actually a smart way to use the rating. There are lots of people dying but no blood to speak of. Also, the (pre) Cobra army is more like a super solider, so they don't use the A-Team way the old cartoon shot at everything but didn't hit anything. Its hard to kill the soldiers but when you do, they stay dead.

That's not to say the film is flawless. It suffers from one of the age old tales where everyone has a history with each other. Its the LOST of Hasbro toy lines. Also, I wish they had taken the approach that WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE is doing. Practical effect enhanced by CGI would have made for a better Destro face. Again, since this is the Rise of Cobra, he's not Destro until later. Another thing that's just a little picking on my part, why does Snake Eyes have a mouth? Cover that up. It makes him look like a giant plastic toy (ironic?).

Did you enjoy it?

Hell yes. All the pre-bad buzz may have helped lower expectations to the point of getting wowed.

Would you see it in theaters again?

Yes. I think it calls for another view to make sure I'm not wrong about having enjoyed it.

Would you rent it?

Yes.

Would you buy it?

At this point, yes. Only time will tell.

Would you watch it if you saw it was on TV?

For Sure.

YO JOE!

*Here's a link to one of the online community reviewers that I usually agree with.