Review: GI JOE: RETALIATION

When GI JOE: RISE OF COBRA came out all the way back in summer 2009, after the credits rolled I thought:

"What the hell was that, because that was awesome"

To my dismay, it seems not too many people were totally satisfied with Rise of Cobra, mainly with it's handling of characters. I thought it was a big stupid mess that was quite literally a live-action cartoon come to life, and I hoped that tone would stay the same for it's sequel, Retaliation.

GI JOE: RETALIATION is hard for me to describe.

On one hand:

The action is top-notch, the costumes and cerography are spectacular, and the special effects are superb (unlike moments in Rise of Cobra where the movie looked lie a SyFy movie from 2004).

Retaliation's fresh cast of characters is wholly welcome, as well as giving returning characters new life, mainly Cobra Commander who finally gets to be the ultimate badass everyone wanted in the first film, now thankfully without Joseph Gordon-Levitt.

The movie itself plays out almost like a bunch of really rich cosplayers got together to make a fan film, from Commander's helmet and persona, to the totally fucking badass Snake Eyes v. Storm Shadow fight, to the crazy vehicles and gadgets that scream GI JOE.

The writing in Retaliation is like Shakespeare compared to the first film, and even if it's not, the actors all bring their characters and world to life fantastically, with the stand-outs being Friday Night Light's alum Adrianne Palicki as Lady Jaye, Byung Hun Lee as Storm Shadow, and Jonathan Pryce, playing Zartan playing POTUS.

Now, on the OTHER hand:

The film lacks a certain something, and I'd almost be willing to say it's the cartoonish stupidity of the first film. While I mentioned earlier this looks a big budget fan film, that's also it's problem.

The story is good; but it seems to be caught up in trying to play itself like a serious political thriller AND a ridiculous action movie. Some plot-parts seem to drag on, and that might be because for about 30 minutes Jaye, Roadblock, and Flint don't really do anything except some espionage which is never quite intense enough to work.

Character development is also almost nowhere to be found except, ironically, with Storm Shadow, which worked out very well.

Speaking of casting, RZA as Blind Master was....well, strange, and that's about the only way I can describe it.

All in all, RETALIATION, despite some pacing and tone missteps here and there, is still loud and fun to watch, with a good-looking cast, and some amazing visuals, the movie is a fun popcorn experience, while never reaching the pure child's play of the first film, this gives hope that by GI JOE 3, they'll have it nailed.

'TOMB RAIDER' Set To Be Rebooted, Raid Tombs, for GK and MGM.

Just weeks after Square Enix relaunched the "Tomb Raider" franchise with a new, grittier Lara Croft in an origin story that impressed critics enough to be sitting at an 87 on Metacritic; but seemed to be a tough sell for fans,not quite reaching it's projected sales target according to Square, it was announced today that MGM will be partnering with GK films to bring the reboot to life.

VARIETY:

“They are working from this new take that we’ve given them,” Gallagher said of GK Films. “It’s a good partnership. We’re seeing the challenges through the same lens.”

“It was important for both of us to have a cohesive version of the franchise,” Gallagher said. “We didn’t want to see a film version that was a continuation of the old ‘Tomb Raider’ films.”

“It’s a dark story but what comes through is a strength of human character and the remarkable endurance and will to survive,” Hughes said. “That mapped appropriately to Lara as we knew her.”

GK Films acquired the rights to franchise back in late 2010, and it appears things are finally moving forward with Oscar winner Graham King (Argo, The Departed, Hugo) attached to produce. Mark Fergus and Hawk Otsby, the duo responsible for Iron Man, Children of Men, and Cowboys and Aliens, were announced back in 2011 to be writing the screenplay.

Lara Croft was last seen on the big-screen back in summer 2003 in Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life, played by Angelina Jolie; who fanboys and news-sites have been trying to attach to a third film for years now.

No word on casting yet; but I think we all know fan-favorite Megan Fox should obviously have this lead.

TASM Stunt-Double Shows Off Old Spidey Suit in TASM2

Earlier today, Spider-Man News  brought to public light that stunt-double and skateboarder William Spencer instagramed a picture of him in the costume from The Amazing Spider-Man while filming it's sequel, due out next summer.

Spencer also confirmed via tweet that this was indeed for The Amazing Spider-Man 2 and not just a left-over picture for shits and giggles. This does much to quell fears that TASM 2 would just shove in the new (and some would argue improved) costume.

I, for one, always loved the 2012 costume; but the new one seems like it's the best of both worlds, of course many theories as to why Peter needs a new suit have been sprung up, mainly landing on the fact his old duds probably get trashed by Electro or Rhino.

My guess its we'll find out by the time a teaser trailer rolls around (which will hopefully be later this summer).

SPRING BREAKERS Director Hosts Odd Reddit AMA

Spring Breakers opened today in it's wide-release, and to celebrate, director Harmony Korine hosted an AMA (Ask Me Anything) on Reddit, found here.

The questions were all your average ones; but Korine's answers were certainly some head-scratchers.

This is all, however, seemingly normal for the director of Gummo and Kids. Korine did, however, address that he likes to work with different people, in regards to changing cinematographers in his films.

Also, Korine says he sought influence in Spring Breakers from: "money sex drugs and the mystic mix....cosmic gangsta shit....florida trap world....inventing all in a swirl of color and logic....magic"

"GODZILLA" Begins Filming, Cast List Revealed

Gareth Edwards' (MONSTERS) and WB/Legendary's reboot of the wildly popular and iconic Godzilla franchise began filming today, and a press release, including the finalized cast was posted online earlier:

Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures announced today the final principal cast for the upcoming tent pole "Godzilla." Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Ken Watanabe, Elizabeth Olsen, and Juliette Binoche are starring in the film, with David Strathairn and Bryan Cranston.

The companies also announced that principal photography began today on location in Vancouver.

Gareth Edwards is directing the film from a screenplay by Max Borenstein, Frank Darabont and Dave Callaham. Legendary's Thomas Tull and Jon Jashni are producing with Mary Parent and Brian Rogers. Alex Garcia and Patricia Whitcher are serving as executive producers alongside Yoshimitsu Banno and Kenji Okuhira.

A presentation of Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures, "Godzilla" will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, except in Japan, where it will be distributed by Toho Co., Ltd. Legendary Pictures is a division of Legendary Entertainment.

Slated to open on May 16, 2014, the film is expected to be presented in 3D.

Early word out of San Diego Comic-Con 2012 was extremley positive when shown a brief teaser of the film.