SNAKE EYES: G.I. JOE ORIGINS

Rebooting the G.I. Joe film franchise was always an inevitable action going to be taken by Paramount Pictures, another film series based on a popular toyline begging to make them a ton of money just as Transformers has done over the years. That being said, with how goofy and bad the two films we've had so far have been, it only means things can get better with the franchise, right? 

After saving the life of their heir apparent, tenacious loner Snake Eyes (Henry Golding) is welcomed into an ancient Japanese clan called the Arashikage where he is taught the ways of the ninja warrior. But, when secrets from his past are revealed, Snake Eyes' honor and allegiance will be tested - even if that means losing the trust of those closest to him.

Right off the bat, Snake Eyes cements itself as the best G.I. Joe film with an origin story fuelled by betrayal and revenge. It's not the hardest achievement for a film to attain however, the far more serious tone and lack of caricatures inhabiting the film suits the martial arts background of the film much better. 

The action in Snake Eyes is another aspect of the film that makes it a fairly enjoyable watch, over-the-top when it needs to be yet brutal and intimate for the most part. The inclusion of giant snakes doesn't even feel like the most ridiculous part of the film, some of the dialogue giving them a serious run for their money. 

Henry Golding feels as if he's auditioning for a much bigger role, a certain iconic spy role that's just become vacant springs to mind, and he does a very good job in Snake Eyes as a man of mystery seeking justice for his father's death. There's decent support from the rest of the cast and it's good to see Iko Uwais pop up in another Hollywood blockbuster but it's got to be said that Samara Weaving is wasted here and annoyingly only there to set up a sequel that may never happen. 

While it may not set the world alight by any means, Snake Eyes does its bit in removing some of the sour taste left by the two previous G.I. Joe films we've been given before. 

SNAKE EYES: G.I. JOE ORIGINS is available on 4K Ultra HD+Blu-ray™ , Blu-ray™, DVD November 15 and to Download & Keep now.

Verdict: ★★★