Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins (2021 | USA | 121 mins | Robert Schwentke)
Snake Eyes is all about the origin story of the popular character of the same name in the cartoon series (played here by Henry Golding). It starts like so many hero origins do: a family member is killed in an incredibly traumatic way, the child swears revenge, and dedicates their life to bringing it about. This one veers off the typical path of “good guy stops himself before its too late” and goes kinda dark instead. It’s a bit surprising considering this is billed as a sort of family flick (or maybe that was just my assumption since it’s based on a cartoon), but it still made for a good story.
Snake goes to incredible lengths, and makes nice with some truly awful people, to accomplish his goal without learning his lesson until his choices cause irreparable damage; and honestly he’s pretty dang violent in the interim. I don’t think I’m adding any spoilers here (since we know him as a decent guy in the G.I. Joe universe), he finally comes to his senses; as the film ends he’s putting his efforts toward becoming a real American Hero.
I know the purpose of Snake Eyes’s descent into the seedy underworld as well as his prolonged stay there is not only enriching his redemption, but is also setting-up the origin of a baddy, creating an arc that will last at least one if not a couple more films. However, it definitely made me question how good this version of the character really is. Are they making him live more in the grey areas of good and bad? Is he more of a live wire in this G.I. Joe iteration? That hazy area is actually what made the character a bit richer than he would have otherwise been. Golding pulled off the anti-hero quite well and was just charming enough to keep one foot on his side and the other with the “good guys”.
This film saw the recasting of Snake’s eventual girlfriend Scarlett, who’d appeared in previous installments of the series. I’m not sure if this was meant signify a complete reboot for future films along this narrative or just a simple recasting of the character, but I didn’t mind it either way. I’ll be honest, I don’t remember seeing the other two films (one released in 2009 and the other in 2012) but from what I gather they could be summed up as a bunch of crazy fight scenes complete with city-sized explosions knitted together with a loose storyline and Bruce Willis with some help from The Rock. That’s probably boiling it down too much, so don’t get too mad at me, but Snake Eyes seemed to have more meat on the bone; it creates a character that I can sink my teeth into.
Don’t worry, there’s plenty of explosions, katana and martial arts-based fight scenes, destruction, chaos, and motorcycle gun battles to go around; so if excitement and action are your deal you will not be disappointed. For those of you that like a little storyline to go with the insanity, then you’re in luck too. I was pleasantly surprised to fall easily into the narrative for a majority of the two-hour thrill ride. Snake may have broken my heart a little with his double-crossing, but I think that’s the point… even though he dug himself out of that black hole, his betrayal of a friend cut so deep, you can’t blame that good guy for going bad (I’ll leave that reveal for you to find out in the theater). Unlike the new Ghostbusters or, the frankly awful attempt, in Coming To America 2 there seemed to be little to no effort to pull in adults with nostalgic nods (or perhaps they were subtle enough that I missed them); seems like an opportunity lost, I love that kind of thing.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the female characters, both bad and good, that dominated the screen anytime they appeared. Headmistress of the ninja warrior clan Snake joined may have been older, but no less powerful than the young people she oversaw and her head of security was wise, stealthy, and emotional. The last of which made her more interesting rather than weak as women are so often portrayed. The Baroness in particular touched an oddly nostalgic nerve in the depths of my child-brain; I didn’t like her then or now, but it just hit in the right spot and made it more authentic for me? I can’t put my finger on it, but I loved to hate her (even though the writing for the character, as well as the acting, was nowhere near the best in the movie).
All in all, I’m looking forward to the next installment in this franchise which is no doubt already in the works. Also, I couldn’t resist adding the original intro to the cartoon just for fun.
Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins arrives in theaters on July 23