ENTERTAINMENT

Custom Search

"Greatly G.I. Joe's Justice Collapses Cobra!"

By Ramesh C.Reddy
Pittsburgh Standard

August 10, 2009

G.I. JOE (2009)

Source: http://www.imdb.com.
The movie is rated PG-13 for explosive action sequences, mild language, sword violence, and gun violence. The run time is 108 min.

Main Cast:
Channing Tatum - Duke
Sienna Miller - Ana/Baroness
Christopher Eccleston - McCullen/Destro
Rachel Nichols - Shana 'Scarlett' O'Hara

   Movie Trailer for  G.I. JOE will begin in a few seconds! Click right tab of mouse to replay!
 

 RECOMMENDATION:  *** 3/5 rating
WATCH THE MOVIE OVER AND OVER AGAIN:

PLOT SYNOPSIS:
"G.I. Joe: Rise of the Cobra" is about an elite group of special ops sent to retrieve a nano-weapon that has fallen into the hands of a terrorist group known as COBRA.

PLOT REVIEW:
"G.I. Joe: Rise of the Cobra" is an action packed, non-stop edge of the seat adventure from beginning to end that can be seen over and over again. It incorporates a love story within a special elite military operation that makes James Bond's weaponry look like children's toys.

CONTENT REVIEW:
"G.I. Joe: Rise of the Cobra" is filled with multiple scenes of artillery violence that explodes things left to right and also incorporates a lot of violence with swords and guns. It has mild language and four inappropriate scenes in terms of women wearing revealing dresses. It addresses issues such as LOVE, REDEMPTION, ABANDONMENT, SHAME, GUILT, POWER, TEAMWORK, WELFARE OF SOCIETY, VENGEANCE, JUSTICE, FREE WILL, INTRUCTIONS.

WHAT I LOVED ABOUT THE MOVIE: (SPOILER ALERT)

1. ISSUE OF LOVE:

The power of love is the most powerful theme that comes out of the movie. We see how powerful true love can be, helping to fight off even brainwashing drugs.

In this movie, I saw how much Duke loved and cared for Ana/Baroness no matter how many members of the G.I. Joe team, she killed and how bad she had become. To the end, he tries to save her and his love starts to transform Ana from the enemies deception and lies. At one point, the doctor remarks "that he does not understand how this could happen because no one ever was able to fight of the brain washing drugs." It is the power of love and Duke's love for Ana that made me watch the movie twice among other things.

This reminded me of how much Jesus loves me so much despite how I have hurt Him multiple times by my actions. His love though not hurt-free by my actions is all about rescuing me from Satan's lies and deception.

It is interesting how the villain in this movie is COBRA which reminds me of Satan who appeared to Adam and Eve in the form of a snake to tempt them and entice them into doing wrong. Adam and Eve gave in just as Baroness gave in. But, just as love eventually transformed Baroness, the love of Jesus Christ who paid the ultimate price for our redemption will transform us as we go with Jesus.

"Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance." (1 Corinthians 13:4-7, NLT)

2. ISSUE OF POWER:

I loved the movie's emphasis on the danger of dwelling into areas we are supposed to destroy in our lives but the temptation, quest, and greed for power can trap us forever.

This is what happened to the Doctor/Rex who was a military scientist sent into a lab to destroy the lab but instead he was tempted and enticed to rush into the unknown which destroyed him and almost his loved ones.

I am reminded of what happened to King Saul in the Old Testament who was chosen to lead the Israelite army against the enemy too. He too for the quest for power went his own way disobeying God and eventually causing his own death.

"People ruin their lives by their own foolishness and then are angry at the Lord!" (Proverbs 19:3, NLT)

3. ISSUE OF WELFARE OF SOCIETY:

I loved the movie's emphasis on protecting the weak, downtrodden, and hungry.

When Paris was about to be attacked, G.I. Joe's put their life on the line to save the inhabitants of Paris. Also, they did the same thing to save Moscow, Bejing, and Washington, D.C. Also, I am reminded of how one character though being stolen from did not punish the stealer but took him in to feed him and take care of him.

I am reminded of what Proverbs says about helping those being unjustly sentenced to death:

"Rescue those who are unjustly sentenced to die; save them as they stagger to their death.  Don’t excuse yourself by saying, “Look, we didn’t know.” For God understands all hearts, and he sees you. He who guards your soul knows you knew. He will repay all people as their actions deserve." (Proverbs 24:11-12, NIV)

I am also reminded of Micah 6:8 when the thief in G.I. JOE was fed and raised by the one he stole from. The victim said, "He is hungry, invite, and show him the path!" Wow!

"No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God." (Micah 6:8, NLT)

4. ISSUE OF TEAMWORK:

The G.I. Joe's worked together as a team and so did COBRA. It is interesting whether the characters were good or bad, when they worked as a team they got more done than when they did it solo as lone-ranger. Teamwork is emphasized a lot in this movie to get things done. Of course, the team of good won over evil in the end.

I am reminded of how Jesus paired up the disciples two-by-two to go on mission trips because Jesus knew the importance of teamwork. Even throughout his missionary trips, the Apostle Paul was paired up too.

"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!" (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, NIV)

"Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." (Ecclesiastes 4:12, NIV)

5. ISSUE OF REDEMPTION:

I loved the emphasis of redemption in this movie. This was my favorite part because it showed that true love can redeem even the vilest hearts headed towards destruction.

This is what was happening to the Baroness until Duke's love won her over. Even when she could not accept forgiveness based on her remark, "You can't save me Duke, no one can after everything I have done", Duke's response was, "I am not giving up on you" Duke told her that he will never leave her.

This reminded me of our Heavenly Father who has not given up on His creation no matter how much bad we have done. Instead, when we thought no one can save us from our sins especially after everything we have done, God sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ to save us and redeem us. He purchased us by His own blood to redeem us and save us. Jesus did not give up on us in our sins. Jesus will never leave us nor forsake us.

"When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good.  But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God." (Romans 5:6-11, NLT)

"Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.What can man do to me?" (Hebrews 13:5b-6, NLT)

6. ISSUE OF INSTRUCTIONS:

I loved the emphasis on reading the manual for instructions for living in their new suits. When Duke was able to do stuff easily, his partner RIP Cord was surprised because he did not think he could do that so he took the hard path. Duke asked him if he read the manual and RIP CORD's response was 'No'. Because RIP CORD did not read the manual, he did not know all the instruction to live an abundant life in his suit while Duke was able to utilize it's full power.

In the same way, I am reminded how many times we fall short of abundant living because we think we can do things on our own or are too busy to read the manual. So, we get by with mediocrity when God wants us to live in Abundant Living and has provided the manual for His creation. We are His creation and He is the Author of Life on whom we should fix our eyes upon because He has the complete copyright to us. Since He has the complete copyright to us, no one can take credit for us except the Creator. The Creator has left us with a Manual for daily living that should be read from cover to cover: Genesis to Revelation. It is called the Bible or as a song goes: Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth. I like to think of the Bible as 'Breathe in Bible Live Eternally!'.

"Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do." (Joshua 1:8, NLT).

"All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16-17, NLT)

7. ISSUE OF ABANDONMENT:

I liked the way Duke apologized to Ana was abandoning her. Duke realized the mistake he made when he abandoned Ana. Instead of making excuses of why he abandoned Ana, he apologized three times by saying, "I am sorry, I am sorry, I am so sorry"

This was very powerful to me because when we I apologize to people, I don't blank out say 'I am sorry' but always have an addendum to the sorry such as 'I am sorry if I hurt you as if the person was not hurt'.  I need to say sorry without any clauses.

I am reminded of Psalm 38:18 which makes no excuses but a sincere apology for wrong doing:

"But I confess my sins; I am deeply sorry for what I have done." (Psalm 38:18, NLT)

WHAT I DID NOT LIKE ABOUT THE MOVIE:

8. ISSUE OF BETRAYAL:

I was very disappointed with the act of betrayals in the movie that caused so many people to die.

It reminded me of what Judas' Iscariot did to Jesus even after spending and experiencing Jesus' love for 3 years as his disciple.

"Judas, the betrayer, knew this place, because Jesus had often gone there with his disciples." (John 18:2, NLT)

9. ISSUE OF GUILT/SHAME:

It was a shame to see guilt and shame rule Duke that the wrongs that occurred could not be faced to find reconciliation and forgiveness. The pathway that Duke took hurt so many lives until Duke admitted what he did which began the path to forgiveness and reconciliation.

I am reminded that can happen to me to if I let guilt and shame rule me to the point that I feel so condemned instead of experiencing Christ's forgiveness and reconciliation. I am so glad that Jesus came to reconcile us to Himself so we can experience His love and forgiveness instead of remaining in guilt.  I need to remember God's Word and act upon it.

It reminded of Psalm 32 that the Psalmist David wrote in conjunction with Psalm 51:

"When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long. Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat.  Finally, I confessed all my sins to you  and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.” And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone." (Psalm 32:3b-5, NLT)

"So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you  from the power of sin that leads to death." (Romans 8:1-2, NLT

"For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, and through him God reconciled  everything to himself.  He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross. This includes you who were once far away from God. You were his enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions. Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault." (Colossians 1:19-22, NLT)

10: ISSUE OF JEALOUSY:

I was saddened to see how jealousy still kills as one boy killed another boy because the Master was pleased with one boy's performance over the other.

This reminded me of the story of Cain & Abel from the Old Testament. God, the Master was pleased with his servant Abel over Cain because Abel bought offerings from his heart while Cain did it out of an obligation. When Cain saw how the Master was happy with Abel and not with him, Cain went and killed Abel out of jealousy. Cain let the sin of jealousy to master him even after God warned him with these words. To this day jealousy still kills because humans don't heed the Word of the Lord and follow:

“Why are you so angry?” the Lord asked Cain. “Why do you look so dejected? You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master.” (Genesis 4:6-7, NLT)

11. ISSUE OF VENGEANCE:

I did not like how much vengeance was emphasized in the movie by COBRA. It destroyed so many lives because vengeance has that tragedy.

I am reminded of how vengeance destroys lives even now especially Satan's desire to get vengeance on God because Satan and 1/3 of his angels were cast down into Hell due to pride. Satan takes it out on human beings against God and even tried to take it out on Job but Job rested in the Lord and said, "God giveth and God taketh away, blessed be the Name of the Lord!" instead of giving into Satan.

I am so thankful to Jesus for being my Lord and Personal Savior who can help me against Satan and his enemies when I focus on Christ and His body, the church community, He has placed in my life to help me.

"Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. (Hebrews 13:23-25, NLT)

QUESTIONS TO PONDER BASED ON INDUCTIVE STUDY OF MOVIE:

1. Which character in the movie do you most identity yourself with and why?

2. What scene or issue raised in the movie touched you the most and why?

3. What scene or issue raised in the movie was your least favorite and why?

4. What were moments of love in the movie and how did they all play out in the end as you think about 'what is love to you' and 'what should love be?'

5. What is the danger of rushing into the unknown especially when it involves the quest for selfish ambitious power? What examples do we see in the movie that reveal that danger?

6. How can you protect the weak and downtrodden since not all can be in a special ops group to help the welfare of society?

7. How many areas of teamwork can you recall from the movie and how is it similar or different to what happened in your life when you worked in a team? Why or Why not?

8. What is redemption to you and how is it revealed in the movie? Who offers redemption to you and why?

9. When you have you felt betrayed and what was the outcome?

10. How do you deal with your guilt/shame and how is it similar or different to the characters in the movie? What is a healthy way of dealing with guilt/shame?

11. What were the results of jealousy in the movie and how do you fight jealousy in your own life?

12. How did vengeance play out in the movie and how does it play out in your life?

Express Your View

9. "Street Fighter: Legend of Chun Li' Leaves Audience Analyzing" / Feb 27, 2009 / June 30, 2009

8. "'Confessions of a Shopaholic' Save Friendships Fruitfully!"/ Feb 13, 2009 / June 23, 2009

7. "'Pink Panther 2' Totally Promotes People Fighting Failure" / Feb 06, 2009 / June 23, 2009

6. "Totally Tyler Perry's Picture: 'Madea Goes To Jail' Justifies Forgiveness' Fruit! / Feb 20, 2009 / June 16, 2009

5. “'Defiance' Details Freedom Fighters Nullifying Nazi's! /Jan 16, 2009/ June 02, 2009

4. "Surprisingly 'Slumdog Millionaire' Makes Eight Expensive Oscars Outright!"  /Jan 23, 2009 / June 01, 2009

3. “'Taken' Tells About A Pa's Persistence!”  /Jan 30, 2009 / May 12, 2009

2. “Underworld: Rise of the Lycans' Unites Underprivileged!”  /Jan 23, 2009/ May 12, 2009/

1. “'LoveTakesWing' Lets Lord's Ways Win!” / Unavailable

REVIEWS OF DVD RELEASES OF 2008:

22. "Dark Knight' Kindles Joker's Judgment, Justifying Satan's Sinister Soul Search" /July 18, 2008 / Dec 09, 2008

21. "Get Smart' Sagaciously Saves People Publicly" / June 20, 2008 / Nov 04, 2008

20. "Incredible Hulk' Helps Humans Have History!" / June 13, 2008 / Oct 21, 2008

19. "'Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull' Surprisingly Sagged!" / May 22, 2008 / Oct 14, 2008

18. "'Iron Man's' Machine Suit Saves  Citizens Carefully!' / May 02, 2008 / Sept 30, 2008

17. "'Bucket List' Lovingly Leaves Life Laudable!" /  Jan 11, 2008 / June 10, 2008

16. "Flawless' Forgoes Forgiveness For Foes" / March 28, 2008 / June 03, 2008

15.  "Semi Pro' Portrays Sacrificial Success" / Feb 29, 2008 / June 03, 2008

14. "Meet the Spartans' Sends Malignant Message!" / Jan 25, 2008 / June 03, 2008

13.  "'The Eye' Elevates Donor's Deliverance!" / Feb 01, 2008 / June 03, 2008

12. "National Treasure 2' Tests Truth Through Time!" / Dec 21, 2007 / May 20, 2008

11. "'Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian' caringly Christocentric"  / May 16, 2008 /  Dec 02, 2008

10. 'Untraceable' Unabashed Viewing Victims!" / Jan 25, 2008 / May 13, 2008

9. "'Over Her Dead Body' Brings Love's Laughter!" / Feb 01, 2008 / May 06, 2008

8. "'P.S. I Love You' Yells Love's Language!" / Dec 21, 2007 / May 06, 2008

7. "'Hero Wanted' Wonderfully Renders Redemption!" /March 28, 2008 / April 29, 2008

6. "'How She Moves' Makes Sizzling Steps!" /Jan 25, 2008 /April 29, 2008

5. "'Golden Compass' Contradicts Christ's Creation!"/ Dec 07, 2007/ April 29, 2008

4. "One Missed Call' Causes Evil's Eruption!" / Jan 04, 2008 / April 22, 2008

3. "Totally Baked'  Brings Beelzebub's Badness!" /Unavailable / April 20, 2008

2. "The Invasion' Imparts Inoculations Inevitability!" / Aug 17, 2007 / Jan 29, 2008

1. “'Incendiary' Invokes Illicit Sex Sowing Crumbling Consequences Through Terrorism!” / Unavailable / Jan 20, 2008

REVIEWS OF DVD RELEASES OF 2007:

11. "'Rush Hour 3' Renders Renegade Relative Ruthless!" /Aug 10, 2007 / Dec 20, 2007

10. "'The Bourne Ultimatum' Universally Unravels U.S.A's' Undercover Utilities / Aug 03, 2007 / Dec 10, 2007

9. "'Transformers' Thrusts Towards Truth!" / July 03, 2007 / Dec 10, 2007

8. "'Live Free Or Die Hard' Heightens Humans Hurts!" / June 27, 2007/ Nov 20, 2007

7. "Spiderman's search for Salvation saved scorching soul" / May 04, 2007 / Oct 02, 2007

6. 'The Astronaut Farmer' Follows Family's Faithfulness! / Feb 23, 2007 / July 10, 2007

5. "'The Contractor' Creates Catastrophe for Cops!" / Unavailable / July 10, 2007

4. "Hannibal Rising' Reveals Revenge's Radicalism" /Feb 09, 2007 / May 29, 2007

3. "'The Last Sin Eater' Emphasizes Emancipation Enters Endlessly" / Feb 09, 2007 / May 15, 2007

2. "'Illegal Aliens' Assist Earth's Emancipation" /Unavailable / May 01, 2007

1. "'Happily NEver After' Alters Age-old Analysis!"/ Jan 05, 2007 / May 01, 2007

REVIEWS OF DVD RELEASES OF 2006:

10. Pirates Of The Caribbean 2 (2006) / July 07, 2006 / Nov 20, 2006
9. Superman Returns (2006) / June 28, 2006 / Nov 28, 2006
8. "'Captured By You' Yells Greed's Game!" /March 21, 2003 / Oct 24, 2006
7. X-Men: The Last Stand (2006) / May 26, 2006 / Oct 03, 2006
6. Last Holiday (2006) / January 13, 2006 / May 02, 2006
5. End Game (2006) / Unavailable / May 02, 2006
4. Swarmed (2005) / Unavailable / May 02, 2006
3. The Detonator (2006) / Unavailable / April 25, 2006
2. The Visitation (2006) / Unavailable / Feb 28, 2006
1. Red Eye (2005) / August 19, 2005 / Jan 10, 2006

REVIEWS OF DVD RELEASES OF 2005:

16. The Island (July 2005) / July 22, 2005 / Dec 13, 2005
15. Fantastic Four (2005) / July 08, 2005 / December 06, 2005
14. Batman Begins (2005) / June 15, 2005 / October 18, 2005
13. Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005) / June 10, 2005 / Nov 29, 2005
12. Hostage (2005) /March 11, 2005 / June 21, 2005
11. Hitch (2005)  /Feb 11, 2005 / June 14, 2005
10. Spiderman: The Venom Saga (2005) / Unavailable/ June 07, 2005
9. Swimming Upstream (2003) / Feb 27, 2003 / May 31, 05
8. Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith / May 19, 2005 / Nov 01, 2005
7. xXx: State of the Union (2005) / April 29, 2005 /  July 26, 2005
6. The Interpreter (2005)  / April 22, 2005 / October 04, 2005
5. In Good Company (2005) / January 14, 2005 / May 10, 2005
4. National Treasure (2004) / November 19, 2004 / May 03, 2005
3. Ocean's 12 (2004)  / December 10, 2004 / April 12, 2005
2. Blade: Trinity (2004) / December 08, 2004 / April 26, 2005
1. Suspect Zero (2004) / August 27, 2004 / April 12, 2005

REVIEW OF DVD RELEASES OF 2004:

1. 'Paycheck' is worth the money / December 25, 2003 / May 18, 2004 

DVD RELEASES OF 2003:

2. City By the Sea' Sinks Family Life! / September 06, 2002 / Feb 18, 2003
1. Blood Work' Pumps Up the Blood!  / August 09, 2002 / June 01, 2003

DVD RELEASES OF 2001:

1. 'Replicant' created to save lives! / May 11, 2001 / October 16, 2001

DVD RELEASES OF 1999:

1. 'Retroactive' is actively time wrapped  / January 1, 1997  /August 24, 1999