The first trailer to G. I. Joe: Retaliation went live the other day, and a few people have asked what I think of it. First, here it is:
It’s difficult to discuss this without making comparisons to G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, a flawed and disappointing, yet enjoyable, movie. A proper review of that earlier flick is a topic for another day (um, I have 15 pages of notes, so it will be a long day), but suffice it to say Retaliation looks to ignore much of what didn’t work, accentuate what does, and still move the story ahead (it is a sequel, after all) without alienating those who missed Rise of Cobra.
Things I like:
-The White House subplot is capitalized on. (Ha!)
-Lots of action
-Dwayne Johnson’s charisma, and the fact that he’s taking taking the film seriously, but not too seriously
-Bruce Willis
-The lesser actors from the first film are not present
-Machine guns rather than pulse guns
Things I like but as an over-protective fan, need to be won over on:
-Ninja cycle with guns
-Willis should have hair
-Cobra doesn’t seem to have leadership?
-But seriously, something seems familiar here…
Seriously, I can’t be the only person who immediately thought, “Wait, I’ve seen Snake-Eyes ride a dark motorcycle with guns on it right-to-left before,” can I?
1990 Ninja Force TV ad and "G.I. Joe: Retaliation" comparison
Much is yet to be revealed (and they’re still making the film, so much could change), but this early out, a tip of my hat to director Jon M. Chu, writers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick, production designer Andrew Menzies, and the folks at Hasbro for what looks like a fun and more faithful G.I. Joe movie.
A Real American Book! 
I remember those live action commercials well. Hasbro even licensed a trading card set with them that I hunted and complete way back when back.
I’m enjoying how much Cobra raising their flag at the White House feels like the cartoon. There’s not even an attempt at secrecy by that point, no proxy leaders, no subtlety. Just “We’re Cobra and we’re running things now.”
Also, ninjas.
A dome-faced Cobra Commander is in the trailer twice, once being freed by Storm Shadow (from a Bacta tank!?) and again inbetween the President and Firefly.
Joseph Gordon Levitt isn’t in the movie, so who knows what role a masked CC will play.
Thanks for the clarification. On purpose I wasn’t freeze-framing the trailer so as to keep some things a surprise, but I don’t want my posts to be inaccurate.
I think you’ll find that it’s Firefly on the motorbike in the movie.
Thanks for the correction. Some fans were talking about this at one of the discussion boards and I’ve been meaning to change this post to reflect that.
This was something I noticed in the Super Bowl trailer but Snake-Eyes is clearly firing an MP7 submachine gun in a fight against Storm Shadow. It’s a small but significant change for fans like me who wanted to see Snake-Eyes wielding his signature Uzi. The more modern MP7 is just perfect for an updated Snake-Eyes.
I haven’t seen the Super Bowl trailer yet, Eric, but I agree with your sentiment. In subtle and obvious ways it looks like the decision-makers are paying better attention to what’s right for the brand with this sequel. Also, the fact that it’s out in June rather than August is a good sign. Traditionally, summer movies opening in August aren’t as good, or as anticipated as those that open in May through July. This trend has changed, particularly with blockbusters like Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, and Mission: Impossible 4 creating a summer movie feel for the holidays, but August used to be considered a dumping ground.
“flawed and disappointing, yet enjoyable”
Best description I’ve ever heard of RoC, and so succinct, too! Too bad the new film has been delayed by 9 months…. really makes me wonder what is going on.
Thanks, Jack. I think the delay is up to a crowded summer. Paramount sees “Avengers” demolishing a lesser blockbuster like “Battleship,” and with such a small window to hit and hit big with “Prometheus” and “Brave” on one side and then “Amazing Spider-Man” and “Dark Knight Rises” on the other, “G.I. Joe: Retaliation” would have difficulty gaining traction. It’s also possible the studio doesn’t love the movie as is and wants to do reshoots not just for native 3-D, but for story reasons. I’m disappointed, but if the move gives the film a better shot, I’m in favor of it. Yes, it’s awkward so close to the initial release date, and the snag on the toy roll out is significant, but “The Hunger Games” proved a movie can hit big in March.