G.I. Joe: Resolute (2009) User Reviews

G I Joe: Revived, Renewed, and Raring to Go

[xamtaro · 9/10 · 22 May 2009]

I was never a fan of the old G I Joe cartoons. The original was just too campy for my liking. You get a military unit VS a terrorist organization using stun laser guns fighting a war in which nobody got hurt. Suspension of Belief was the order of the day. G I Joe Resolute came along at just the right time and made me a fan of the series.

1) The story: Clocking at only 60 minutes total, one would expect a truncated and watered down story. Not true. The story in G I Joe Resolute plays out very nicely over its allotted time. It doesn't feel rushed at all and has a decent conclusion yet leaves some space for a sequel or, hopefully, a full TV series. The writers on this one sure know their stuff. The initial mystery and suspense plays out well, that was the most interesting part. G I Joe is given a more realistic portrayal here. Complete with a huge team of intelligence officers and crew to back them up and weapons that actually shoot real bullets.

2)The Animation: AMAZING. My congratulations to the animation company. This is one fantastic work of art. The animation is smooth, the CGI blends in perfectly with the cel animation, and the artwork is brilliantly detailed. Real movie quality stuff. The scenes of Duke and Scarlet taking on Zartan and his soldiers was my favorite. Sure it ripped off Matrix a little with the slo-mo but it was EPIC. Few animated shows can pull off a convincing 360 degree pan around a character or a believable Slo Mo without the scene looking jumpy. G I Joe Resolute has definitely set a new benchmark in animation.

3) The characters: No longer the 1 dimensional stereotypes, these characters are possibly the most believable and well rounded characters in a G I Joe series yet. The main characters of Duke, Scarlet and Snake Eyes are the main focus and all 3 of them are very well fleshed out. Gone is the all American Good guy boy scout, do no wrong Duke. Here, he is a leader, but he has his flaws. And its those flaws that make him ever so much more human. There is a visible love triangle between the 3, but thankfully it is only implied and does not descend into anything overly sappy. Snake Eye's backstory is the only one that is fully fleshed out though.

4) Battle scenes: No more stun laser guns or shots missing at point blank range. No more "its only a scratch" or "he got shot but its just a flesh wound". THIS IS WAR. The battle scenes are very realistically planned out with the effects of war clearly visible. People die, people get injured. If you ain't behind cover, you get shot. The duel between Snake Eyes and Stormshadow would put so many Japanese anime to shame.

5) Cobra Commander. By far the BEST portrayal of the Character to date. Charlie Alder(the voice of Starscream in the Transformers 2007 movie and Revenge of the Fallen), carries on the tradition of a Starscream voice actor doing the voice of Cobra Commander. This Cobra Commander is very much in keeping with his toy description and his comic portrayal. A ruthless, tyrannical, scheming overlord with no qualms of killing his own troops should they refuse to obey him. I would go so far as to compare his portrayal here to Heath Ledger's portrayal of the Joker in "The Dark Knight'. He is merciless and his new voice just reeks of evil. No more over the top schemes of world domination, this Cobra Commander cuts to the chase. Surrender or die.

Alas, with all these excellent aspects of this movie, why didn't i give it 10/10? For starters, it is too short. Sure, it does not feel truncated or watered down, but I would have like to see a visible build up in the tension and the story. It is how one would like an enjoyable thing to last, but sadly this movie didn't last long. Secondly, releasing it exclusively via online streaming to only American citizens and chopping it up into 10 minute segments, was a terrible idea. This should have gone straight to DVD like what Marvel and DC is doing with their animated movies.

A nice anime take on the classic franchise

[Criticman12 · 9/10 · 19 March 2011]

"G.I. Joe", is one of the greatest franchises ever made. Next to, "Thundercats" and "Transformers". In 2009, Adult Swim did an anime eleven-part miniseries about G.I. Joe.

Like the T.V. series, It's pretty much where the Joe's fight Cobra and saving the world from evil.

"Resolute", is a great anime miniseries that has nice animation and some good fight scene's. I also like how they made Cobra Commander evil. In the show, whenever he tries to kill someone, his plans are foiled. In, "Resolute", he actually destroy's a city. It also has some nice voice acting from Steve Blum.

The only problem's I have is that each episode is about five to nine minutes long and there was not that much development for the other character's. I also wish it was a T.V. series instead of a miniseries.

"G.I. Joe: Resolute", is a nice anime take on the classic series and it's worth watching for fans of the series or someone looking for a good short show to watch.

Good show

[galliotte-1 · 9/10 · 7 June 2009]

I was reluctant at first to watch this show as I thought it was going to be purely Snake Eyes oriented while everybody else paled in comparison. After reading some of the comments (which were useful by the way), I decided to give it a try, and was very impressed as a fair bunch of the Joes had a part to play.

While some may have commented about the level of violence involved, do keep in mind that this is geared toward a mature audience. I used to watch GiJoe as a kid, and had no problem with nobody dying because again, it was for a younger audience. However, years have passed, and based on the show's targeted audience, I say it got my vote as the best revamp of GiJoe since the Sunbow version.

Battle scenes (A) - Animation (A) - Plot (A) - Length (B)

It is my hope that this becomes a regular series as it would be great. And if it does, then there should be more involvement from the remaining Joes.

My congratulations to the forces in play which made this possible.

Best GI Joe ever!!!!!!

[overon2099 · 10/10 · 8 May 2009]

You have it all wrong

"If the characters are going to be that "foreign" to how everyone remembers them, then they should just write new characters so that anyone who comes into the series has "low" expectations going in."

• I take it you haven't kept up with Gi Joe at all. Lady Jay is dead hence why she wasn't in the new show. People have changed war has changed them.

Killing off well known characters under the guise of "advancing the plot"?

• This was done to do away with the childish realism of everyone jumping out of a plane with a parachute or always missing the bullet. No one is safe from death.

Snake eye surviving a bullet that took his vocal cords from an extreme range sniper, yet a similar sniper shot, from the same sniper at the same time kills his ninja master?

• Snake-eyes was running, the Hard Master was standing still.

Gratuitous violence, from the Joes? Joe's luring cobra soldiers out in the open and gunning them down from behind without saying a word or giving them the chance to surrender?

• Obvioulsly you never been in battle or war. "Have a plan to kill everyone you meet." nu-ff said.

Personally this is the best revision of GI Joe to date, hands down. Only thing wrong with it was the time factor. Way too short for my taste with all that happened. Hasbro bring on more!!!

Awesome

[confidential_75 · 10/10 · 25 June 2009]

I grew up watching the Sunbow cartoon and was reluctant at first to give this a try as I felt it would be another failed attempt to revamp it. Then I decided to move on with time, and watched it via youtube.

Great show!!! The storyline, content, action, character development, animation, well above my expectations.

What I liked the most is that it was a group effort, and no "Joe" was the main attraction (what could have happened with Snake Eyes if Lama had 100% control over it). And it was not like that cheesy "Sigma Six" or the awful DIC Version.

In my opinion, this show has allowed the successful transition for GiJoe from the 80s to now. If the upcoming live action "Rise of Cobra" fails to make the mark, as some have predicted, I hope, in the future, they would follow a pattern similar to "GiJoe Resolute".

Please let there be an actual series.

Great take on GI Joe and Cobra...(very minor spoilers)

[cfkrsf · 26 April 2009]

At almost 36 yrs old, I grew up with GI Joe. Whether in comic, cartoon, or toy form, it was a part of my life. I always did like the cartoon, but this is a great new take on the series. As a fan of animation such as the kind on display in films like Blood +, parts of the Animatrix, some of Adult Swim's line-up, and both versions of the animated Star Wars Clone Wars, I think GIJ:R fits into this universe nicely. You really have to see this for yourself. Just watch it. I'll simply say that there are characters offed in this and while that is a minor spoiler, the way said characters are dispatched works well and in some cases leaves you to wonder what if... I can only hope that the film is half as fun as this. GI Joe as a team is as strong-willed as say the OSI from the Venture Brothers, but there is a sense of technological advancement and pseudo-realism here that makes the team's movements somewhat believable. Cobra seems to be an army as before, but I like that in these mostly 5 minute vignettes when a Cobra "leader" is in it you get a keen sense of how they operate. Finally, the vs. part as in Storm Shadow/Snake Eyes has a really great back story and modern confrontation. Seeing what has been done by Warren Ellis with Snake Eyes makes me long to see what Ray Park does with the character in the film. So...to sum up, there is an hour in 11 parts here. Moves along very well. To me, this may be my favorite short animation story since Genndy Tartakovsky's Clone Wars: fast, full, and fun. Enjoy!

Good, but some serious issues keep this reboot from soaring

[houseofjames · 6/10 · 12 June 2010]

A GI JOE fan's dream come true; a mature rated, fast paced action film giving an interesting glimpse into what this type of JOE show might have been. The plot deals with terrorist organization Cobra attempting to take over the world with a superweapon created using satellites. And so it goes. Exciting action scenes and slick dialogue are undermined constantly by lousy voice acting (as the film only has four actors providing all of the voices) and a plot that is totally and utterly ridiculous.

Still, worth a look for JOE fans, others beware. Fans will have added fun identifying the many JOE characters from the assorted TV shows and comics.

The Return of G.I.JOE and this is the way to return a classic YO O JOE

[Terryfan · 8/10 · 26 April 2009]

To say that this series does G.I.JOE justice would be a understatement this G.I.JOE brings back a classic show in a big way.

However G.I.JOE: Resolute is more for mature fans of the toys and show, what I mean is that there is blood and a lot of bad words in this show.

But still this show brings G.I.JOE to a new level and I am not disappointed.

The last G.I.JOE movies were more for kids and this series brings it to extreme like no other The story has G.I.JOE trying to stop COBRA from destroy all the major cites with new bombs.

Also we see Snakes Eyes and Storm Shadow in a final battle while Scarlett (My favorite G.I.JOE) and Duke on a mission to stop Cobra from the inside.

They have only four actors in the whole show and it's really crazy that only they voices all the G.I.JOEs and Cobra in the show.

The Animation is amazing with a lot of nice backgrounds and great models in the show.

The Voice acting is top notch with great cast and they gives great performances.

The writing is impressive and the music is excellent with a great score.

I think all the great shows like Transformers, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Dino-Riders should be done like this.

If you want a great new show that is not water down then you got to watch G.I.JOE: Resolute it gives G.I.JOE justice Watch this G.I.JOE, YO O OOOOOOOOOOOOOO JOE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And this is why this show is good

[WeAreLive · 9/10 · 3 December 2017]

To be honest I wasn't a big GI Joe fan until I marathoned this whole series.

Well, I didn't marathon it but Kisscartoon clustered up all of the episodes in a single movie which I saw.

The action sequences were good even though this would be too violent and mature for children, in fact, there is the use of the words "Dammit" and "Crap" used so it would be aimed at teenagers. There is also blood used in the movie.

The voice acting was really good.

This movie did focus a little bit on Duke and Scarlet's relationship which is relevant.

But as a downside, the animation is too bright.

Extreme Resolution

[hellraiser7 · 10/10 · 10 January 2022]

This is one of my favorite animated series/miniseries of all time. I've been a fan of "G. I. Joe" ever since I was seven, I was a kid from the 80's and of course at the time that franchise was the biggest thing. Though as time went on unfortunately things have been slightly quiet on the battlefront for the series for a while but thankful this animated miniseries gave the show the weapon upgrade needed to fire once more.

This miniseries was a real treat and came out at the right time because in the 2000 era a lot of resurgence of old franchises were on the rise from "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles", "Thundercats", "Battlestar Galactica, etc. It really felt like a breath of fresh air for these old properties and were prime examples of remakes/revivals done right when you actually put the time, effort, and care into it to actually make the term remake/revival mean something.

The animation is great up to the standards of the 2000 era, I really like the character models as everyone looks the same as there predecessors with some minor differences which is good and goes with the old saying more things change more, they stay the same.

I like the story which is written by one of my favorite comic book writers "Warren Ellis" and he's a capable writer for the franchise, it's a shame he has written for the recent IDW comic book run kind of thought that would happen afterward but oh well. The story is straightforward but that's a good thing because most stories of the comic series have been that way and that's how I like it. In a way the whole plotline is structured a bit like an episode of "Mission Impossible" as each of the sub teams they have a task in foiling Cobra's major plot.

Really like that they focus on some of my favorite Joes and Cobras, well except for Flint and Lady Jaye which was a minor disappointment for me as those two are favorites of mine and one of my favorite fictional couples. But same can be said for a lot of G. I. Joe fans whom have certain favorites of theirs so I can't complain too much, and with a mini series you can only cram so much in. Let alone you don't want too much of everything otherwise you get so little in anything, so like I said can't complain.

Action is great, I really like the choreography as it's well done. I love that they pull no punches in the action as you see some blood effects but also even love the fact that Duke and the rest they don't use generic weapons (as most cartoons at the time used them to really just to save money). But weapons that are all different and based on some actual guns, which I thought was cool but really brings a sense of authenticity. The only thing missing really is that we don't really get to see much vehicular warfare, well we see a little but it's only a small scene, but due to the runtime of this miniseries they couldn't fit it in so oh well.

Each of the voice actors (which are few) fit well for there roles. Mainly Steve Blum one of my favorite voice actors, he's probably my second favorite version of Duke. As usual Duke is pretty much the leader type, but I really like how in this mini series we got to see him even more as a bad ass, as he's only a duo mission where he just simply kicking Cobra ass and taking names.

Of course, his partner in this is Scarlett played well by Grey Griffin, she's pretty much Scarlett as usual but we see also get to be a bit more of a bad ass, though she doesn't use her signature weapon which is the crossbow, which makes sense as that's a weapon you can only use so much in reality but it does come into play at the right time. There is a little decent back and forth between both Duke and her which is also a little nod to the 80's cartoon as in the cartoon version both were a couple, I think, well they spent a lot of time together so close enough.

Even like Cobra Commander who is voiced also by Charlie Alder, he's probably my favorite Cobra Commander (for now anyway). Don't get me wrong I do love the Cobra Commander from Chris Lata in the 80's cartoon but the miniseries version is better as he's truer to the version from the comic series. I really like the voice which sounds snake like which fits, hence his name. I like the dialog he spouts out and his deliver you really believe him as a commander not to be fraked with and truly means business from what he does at the beginning of the mini-series.

Snake Eyes is awesome as usual as he's the usual all action guy but despite not saying anything from his body language and actions you really get the feeling there is a person behind the black outfit and knight like visors. Storm Shadow in this is rather unlikeable as this version is more petty, prideful and vein but I don't mind as his character is a little that way sometimes. Though here it's the version that lets it consume him completely which of course leads not just for him to work for team evil but for the duel between him and Snake Eyes near the end. I really his subplot as we get into some of his origins along with Storm Shadow's and there is this whole revolving motive device on the seven steps sort of like Pai Mei's secret technique from "Kill Bill Vol.2" which is a story for another time. I won't say anything else about the duel but as an old saying goes, "you can't learn the easy way, you learn the hard way."

It would be awesome if we had more miniseries and even animated movies on "G. I. Joe" which are things the franchise sorely needs right now, it would make a nice break from certain other franchise that have became oversaturated. Though if this happens makes sure the animation is top notch along with the writing and get some very good voice actors that fit the roles like Arron Eckhart or Steve Blum again to voice Duke, Mathew Fox can voice Flint, Evangeline Lily voicing Lady Jaye, Steven Yuen can voice Tunnel Rat, Phil Lamar voicing Stalker, etc. I know tall orders but nice thoughts anyway and ones to consider.

"G. I. Joe Resolute" hits the target.

Rating: 4 stars.

Not really a fan of this at all

[Risq_001 · 2/10 · 2 May 2009]

Spoiler warning, in case some missed the above warning!!!

While I have no problem with the series updating the character, equipment, and staff, the series seems like something someone with just the "basic knowledge" of characters would write. If the characters are going to be that "foreign" to how everyone remembers them, then they should just write new characters so that anyone who comes into the series has "low" expectations going in.

Killing off well known characters under the guise of "advancing the plot"? Duke, Scarlett, and Snake eyes in a very "obvious" love triangle? Snake eye surviving a bullet that took his vocal cords from an extreme range sniper, yet a similar sniper shot, from the same sniper at the same time kills his ninja master? Gratuitous violence, from the Joes? Joe's luring cobra soldiers out in the open and gunning them down from behind without saying a word or giving them the chance to surrender? It was like a thinly created story was only there to explain the massive amounts of violence in the story.

I mean it was liking watching full metal jacket (with women added) and calling it "G.I. Joe" because its an animation with military members in it.

If blood and gore are what your looking for, this is your animation. Personally I liked that the characters were supposed to get the job done "without" crossing the line. This animation has them trying to one up cobra in the brutality department every chance they get.

Incredible..........

[mcotto8 · 5 August 2011]

First of all, let me start by saying that with the exception of the 5 part mini-series that started each season, I was never really a fan of the cartoon because i grew up reading about real life terrorism in the papers and in the news and I also read the comics. in the comics, they killed off a whole bunch of joes and cobras in a one year span where in the cartoon, no one suffered so much as a hangnail. I thought it was so lame!

That being said, when I tuned in to the first airing of resolute, i could not believe that 2 major characters were killed off in the first 3 min. I knew then this is the version I dreamed of seeing as a kid.

My favorite change: Cobra Commander! In the comics he was sneaky and evil, yet when he showed even the slightest bit of compassion even toward his son, he nearly paid for it with his life. it taught him a valuable lesson in the series and he came back more ruthless than ever.

This version is just about the same in which he clearly stated if u help him conquer the world, the reward will be unlimited wealth.......oppose him or question his ruthlessness and YOU DIE!

I give this a 9 out of 10 because it just was not long enough. This (not g.i.joe renegades) should be made into a series. I love it!