According to IMDb and using current exchange rates, Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins had a production budget of approximately 834,467,492 kronor and 32 öre. This review will detail some of the reasons why the film fails to justify that investment.
Snake Eyes (Henry Golding) is portrayed as a solitary figure haunted by the brutal murder of his father during his childhood. He operates on the fringes of society, earning a living through underground fighting circuits. He is approached by Kenta (Takehiro Hira), a high-ranking member of the Yakuza (Japanese mafia), with an offer: Kenta claims he can locate the individual responsible for his father’s death if Snake Eyes agrees to work for him. Believing he has no alternative, Snake Eyes accepts. He soon finds himself facing impossible choices, with his loyalties tested from all directions.
In retrospect, I should have researched this film more thoroughly before accepting the review assignment. Had I previewed trailers for this disappointing production, I likely would have declined the opportunity. It has been some time since I have felt this level of frustration and boredom while watching a movie. While The Nun remains a benchmark for negative reviews, Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins comes close, were it not for the surprisingly high quality of the UHD edition (more on this later).
The G.I. Joe franchise originated with a large doll marketed primarily to boys, accompanied by military uniforms and weapons available as accessories. In the early 1980s, the popularity of smaller action figures like Star Wars and He-Man led Hasbro to transform its larger dolls into smaller, articulated plastic figures, introducing a level of joint articulation previously unseen. This marked the birth of G.I. Joe (or Action Force in some regions) as we know it today. The franchise rapidly expanded into an animated TV series, primarily designed to promote toy sales. In 2009, the first live-action film, G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, was released, followed four years later by G.I. Joe: Retaliation, which I consider the slightly better of the two. Both films were generally poor, though they at least possessed some entertainment value.
Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins, as the title implies, is yet another reboot. Ray Park (Darth Maul), who previously portrayed the mute Snake Eyes (faithful to the comic book character), has been replaced by Henry Golding, who speaks extensively throughout the film. Golding, who has been active in the industry since 2009 according to IMDB, gained wider recognition following his role in Crazy Rich Asians in 2018. A significant issue is that Golding lacks charisma and the presence required for a leading role. His performance is limited to two expressions: surprise, and what appears to be an attempt at anger. His delivery feels unconvincing, and unfortunately, his dialogue is substantial throughout the film’s two-hour runtime. While one might anticipate that “this is an origins film, so perhaps we will witness how he loses his voice,” this is not the case. This development may be reserved for a potential sequel, though given the quality of this film, its realization seems unlikely. Beyond the uninspired casting in the lead role, the narrative is fundamentally incoherent.
For instance, Snake Eyes is repeatedly defeated and struggles to win his initial fighting competitions. However, he later effortlessly defeats and kills 30 sword-wielding opponents, all without any visible bloodshed. The plot is simplistic, easily summarized, yet stretched to an excessive 121 minutes. Condensing the film by 40 minutes might have marginally improved the viewing experience, though likely not significantly, as all of the action sequences are poorly executed. The reliance on rapid cuts and shaky camera work, a technique often employed when actors lack combat proficiency, is particularly baffling, as the performers demonstrably possess fighting skills, rendering the chosen camera style entirely unjustified.
Hasbro and Paramount intend for Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins to serve as a launchpad for a new, interconnected cinematic universe, potentially including M.A.S.K. (scheduled for release next year) and Transformers. The film’s primary focus is on establishing this extended universe, neglecting the essential task of providing engaging entertainment. Had the film adopted a less self-serious tone, its shortcomings might have been more easily forgiven.
The film’s pervasive mediocrity and lack of engagement nearly warranted a one-star rating, placing it on par with The Nun. However, the exceptional quality of the UHD edition of Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins elevates the final score. The dark sequences are rendered exceptionally well, exhibiting no light bleed and showcasing vivid, distinct colors. The Dolby Atmos sound design is balanced and immersive, featuring effective use of surround sound. The supplemental materials, however, consist of standard, brief documentaries that reiterate the film’s plot, which, in this instance, is not entirely unwelcome, as the explanations provide some much-needed clarity.
In conclusion, Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins is a considerable disappointment, particularly given the rich history of characters and storylines that could have been explored in greater depth. The franchise continues to struggle in its cinematic adaptations. Upon learning of this film, I hoped it would represent a turning point; instead, it is arguably the weakest of the three films released to date. A return to the drawing board is necessary. Given Hollywood’s current penchant for reboots, it would not be surprising to see this property reimagined again in the near future.
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