It's a common truth with most franchises how it can be a lot harder to relaunch them than it is to launch and maintain them which is part of why this shows much like the Joes on the run rolled under the radar.
I'm a big fan of the "G. I. Joe" franchise and after that miniseries "G. I. Joe Resolute" (which I'll review another time) I wanted a "G. I. Joe" animated series again. Which is something this franchise sorely needed as there have been very few let alone hits for that matter as there were misfires in the past ("DIC G. I. Joe", "G. I. Joe Extreme" and "G. I. Joe Sigma 6" in my book anyway). But this series was one big surprise as it was a hit and a lot more, it's also to me one of those revivals done right (in my book anyway) and thankfully isn't part of the long revival string of disappointment.
The only misfires of the show are the animation, which is rather sub-par, mainly the character models they just look pedestrian and a little odd. This doesn't put me off totally as it's not all lame a few characters still look like themselves alright. Along with the music there wasn't real main memorable tunes nor even a intro which is decent but nothing to run home about. This kind of sucks, as the music was one of the best things about the show, having the right notes to accompany scenes really goes a long way as it helps enhances the experience. These two factors don't hurt the show but still as a fan of the "G. I. Joe" franchise we can do better. Though may 'be both things would have been corrected had we got a second season. Now that the elephant is out of the room (almost there's one more matter) lets get down to business.
I'll admit the path the show took was surprising as it was one where they got off the familiar path and went on the one less traveled. For a revival this is a very risky gambit but understandable, when dealing with a big franchise you don't want to repeat yourself too much. But also making a revival is a tricky balancing act of being your own thing and staying true to the spirit of your source.
We see the show uses sort of "The Fugitive" format which isn't surprising as that's a subgenre of its own, it's really in the execution that make the stories stand out, here this time it's the Joes that are one the run. Also, strangely to me this is part of what the "G. I. Joe Retaliation" and "Snake Eyes" films wanted to be but never hit the mark on (alright I thought both films were ok but could have been a lot better). It was surprising, as you can say it really set up sort of a what if scenario for us, what if Cobra was on the upper end of things.
This was a good thing because it actually made the stakes for the good guys a lot higher, in most action shows and sometimes movies the good guys most of the time at first are the ones with the advantage and the bad guys have no advantage at first which doesn't bother me as tables can easily turn but sometimes it can mean the protagonist/s have little struggle, and make the show and movie seem rather predictable in the results almost like good guys could win by default, as we already know how strong they are.
In the Fugitive format we see the Joe engage in some real struggle as Cobra is the one with the advantage this time. Each of the Joe team members are strong people but their not perfect as we see each have a certain Achilles heels and dilemmas holding them back and from this they all really need to prove their worth.
Also, what's good about this format is it gives the show a mystery and developing plot element which the 80's show never really had as that show was episodic. It makes sense for this show to have it, at the time the serial/plot development format was on the rise from shows like "Lost", "Battlestar Galactica" (revival version), "Avatar" The Last Airbender", etc; so it makes sense this show would join in. Anyway, this element created a sense of intrigue for the show, like in any suspense thriller we already know who the bad guys are and are all up to no good, but we don't have the full scope of their plan. Which is why we relay on our protagonists to act as our eyes and ears to help fill in the blanks for us. But also, by its nature this season was one of those "taste of what's to come seasons" (or for this show's case what could have been) where the whole season are practically the building blocks to lead up to the next season.
I even like how the show has a bit of satire and commentary but in a good and non-preachy way, it sort of reminds me of films like "Robocop" and John Carpenter's "They Live" as each of them satire on high powered corporations and conglomerates. Here Cobra has became sort of like what OCP (Omni Consumer Products) is in "Robocop" a high-powered corporation conglomerate that has provided resources all over the world. This would make them good guys right, wrong just like with the They aliens from "They Live" it's all one big ruse for something more diabolical which is no surprise as it's Cobra after all more is never enough for them. I really like this showing the danger in giving our trust to high powered organizations, how much integrity and freedom we are truly sacrificing without even knowing it. It's true that Cobra is providing the world with most of what it needs but the question is how much are you willing to give up to have it, and by doing this you may lose something a lot more valuable.
The characters are all solid along with the voice cast that fit them, and most importantly are all true or somewhat true to their predecessors. But also, I like that their all sympathetic this time because like in any suspense thriller protagonists, none of them have asked for any of this to happen to them as they were all people that either were at the wrong place at the wrong time or saw something they shouldn't of. Yet here they are and now their only way out is to both clear their names and save the soul of our country time runs out.
Of course, there is the action, which is solid, I really like the choreography in the shootouts which are cool they all use the usual laser guns from decent if generic weapons, we see them do battle with enemy soldier but mainly robots and vehicles which despite well-made always seem to go down like a house of cards easily. There is some vehicular action though not much which is one of the other drawbacks of the show, may 'be if that second season happened, we would've had them.
But of course, also fist a cuff battles which are my favorite because I get to see Snake Eyes in action being well super amazing, yeah I know most of what he physically does may 'be impossible by human standards but it's "G. I. Joe" you roll with it. Along with seeing Jinx and Storm Shadow work and the usual Snake and Storm clashes.
From Snake Eyes, Storm Shadow, and Jinx whom are each awesome as usual, I always love the fights with them but also like the back story which is interesting similar to the one from the comics and in the "Resolution" mini series (which I'll review some other time).
Bad guys are also really good from my two favs and you could say power couple, Baroness and Destro. Both are good or should I say bad as usual despite not in this season enough nor do we get to see the chemistry between them enough also. Really like the voice for Destro which is by one of my favorite actors/voice actors Clancy Brown, which makes him my second favorite Destro voice. Yeah, it's his usual deep voice but it fit well for the character, just that deep dry menacing tone just fits like a glove with that metallic mask he constantly wears. How the heck he's able to move his lips with that mask is anyone's guess but hey Destro is an inventor, I don't doubt he figured something out.
And of course, the other character I like is Duke played by underrated voice actor Jason Marsden who is probably my third favorite Duke voice (others are Michael Bell and Steve Blum). This is a slightly different but same version of Duke as this is a more slightly young version of him. The character has the usual leadership qualities of the Duke we know and love, however like most youth's he still has a way's to go.
As we see Duke isn't perfect as he's got a bit of a reluctance complex and as there are times, he doesn't deserve something despite earning it or even if he's even worthy or good enough for his position. I liked this because it humanized the character in a good way, let alone helped make this version unique as Duke was most of the time just a tough as nails straight arrow.
I don't mind giving characters flaws because it makes them more relatable as no one in reality is perfect, it also helps it making you want this character to win in not just overcoming the enemy but the demons of his own psyche that collaborate. Duke really does evolve in the show, as it goes on he becomes more confidant, learns to take charge more when he should which of course gets us steps closer to the Duke we know and love.
The biggest misfire is as I've constantly stated, this show didn't get another season. Which makes this show another casualty in a long string for shows gone too soon which also in another long string of lost opportunities. Only in the realm of "Fanfiction" will we have our second season.
Thankfully another animated show of "G. I. Joe" is on the way hopefully it will be a hit.
So, if your a fan of the "G. I. Joe" franchise, this is a hidden target worth a shot.
Rating: 3 and a half stars.
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