G.I. Joe: Resolute

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.