Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins is a dynamic, action-packed martial-arts film that is sure to please fans of the genre. It deviates from the storylines of the first two G.I. Joe features to create a new world involving the titular action hero.

The two previous G.I. Joe feature films were “G.I. Joe: the Rise of Cobra” (2009) and “G.I. Joe: Retaliation” (2013). In these pictures, we see a young Snake Eyes sneak into the house of the Clan Arashikage to steal food. A young Tommy, later to become Storm Shadow, fights him but is stopped by the Hard Master. The Master recognizes Snake Eyes’ latent skills and trains him to be proficient in the martial arts. When the Master is murdered, presumably by Tommy who is seen running from the scene, Snake Eyes takes a vow of silence which continues into adulthood.

In this re-imagining of Snake Eyes’ origin story, he is seen as a young boy (Max Archibald) with his father (Steven Allerick) in the woods in Washington state. He asks his dad if there is a safe in the house, but is told that a safe house doesn’t necessarily have a safe.

Later that night, his father wakes him and tells him to hide. Evil men enter the cabin. Mr. Augustine (Samuel Finzi) forces his father to roll the dice to determine his fate. He rolls snake eyes and is murdered while Snake Eyes escapes out a bathroom window.

In adulthood, Snake Eyes (Henry Golding) is approached by a Yakuza boss, Kenta (Takehiro Hira). He tells Snake Eyes that he will help him find his father’s killer. So he starts work in the Los Angeles docks putting guns into gutted fish for smuggling. Now known as “Fish Boy,” he refuses to murder Tommy (Andrew Koji) when told to do so by Kenta. Major fighting ensues where Snake Eyes and Tommy subdue everyone until the police intervene. Snake Eyes collapses.

He awakens on a private jet on his way to Tokyo. Since he saved Tommy’s life, Tommy wishes to make him his head of security when he assumes the leadership of the Clan Arashikage. The current head of security, Akiko (Haruka Abe), does not trust Snake Eyes, who must undergo three challenges to join the Clan. These are directed by the Hard Master (Iwo Uwais) and the Blind Master (Peter Mensah).

We discover that the Clan Arashikage are the protectors of the Jewel of the Sun. This object has destructive powers which the Clan are never allowed to use. It is protected in a safe with a DNA lock.

The plot thickens when Snake Eyes secretly meets Kenta, who wants Snake Eyes to steal the Jewel of the Sun. Kenta intends to use the Jewel to seize power in the Clan Arashikage, from which he was banished years ago. After this is accomplished, he is going to give the Jewel to the Baroness (Ursula Corbero), a key Cobra operative. If Snake Eyes steals the Jewel, he will be led to Mr. Augustine, his father’s killer, who is being held captive.

Scarlett (Samara Weaving) of the G.I. Joe team contacts Tommy, Akiko, and Snake Eyes to warn them of an upcoming plot to steal the Jewel. Will Snake Eyes steal the Jewel and betray his new friends at Clan Arashikage? Or will he become their ally to defeat Cobra?

Let me start by saying that my experience with the G.I. Joe franchise consists only of seeing the two previous feature films and the current one. I did not own any of the action figures or interact with any other content.

Eight years, a long time (even considering the lull caused by the pandemic), has elapsed since the last G.I. Joe film. The second picture ended with a significant resolution, so that no sequel seemed to be required. So it makes sense that Hasbro would want to re-tool the franchise along an alternate storyline.

The first G.I. Joe movie was heavy on the technology used by the elite team to subdue evil in the world. The second one was less so, and focused more on the relationships among the team members and the evildoers.

This new iteration has very little to do with the G.I. Joe team. They show up midway through the picture and have a relatively minor role. The ending promises more in a sequel. Cobra, G.I. Joe’s archenemy, has a bigger part through the Baroness, Kenta, and others.

Snake Eyes is out-and-out a great martial arts film. Impressive fight scenes occur throughout the movie. The stunt credits are enormous by comparison with most other cast credits.

I particularly enjoyed the incorporation of supernatural elements into the film. Not only is there the Jewel, beautifully rendered, but also a mysterious wandering blue light like a will-o-the-wisp and giant anacondas. The second challenge faced by Snake Eyes is quite mystical.

The propulsive score drives the action, which is well-paced and executed. The picture is never dull, and revolves around basic themes of trust, loyalty, revenge, and honor. The conflict between ego and a higher purpose is pre-eminent.

No great character studies await the viewer. Everything is secondary to the plot, which is not atypical in wuxia films.

The decision to end the silence, at least in this movie, of Snake Eyes is a wise one. His ability to speak is important when he now is a lead character, as opposed to a supporting one.

Henry Golding is well-suited to his role as Snake Eyes. He has proved his acting chops in other pictures like “Crazy Rich Asians” and “A Simple Favor.” This film does not require the level of acting he is capable of, but he does his character justice.

The other actors all are passable. They mostly are archetypes of one sort or another, so not much is demanded in terms of range.

I am very interested to see if Hasbro decides to refocus the G.I. Joe franchise as a martial-arts series or if other origin stories of other characters await.

Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe origins is sure to be a hit with martial-arts fans. It is an excellent entry in its genre.

Four out of five stars

Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins stars Henry Golding as Snake Eyes, a tenacious loner who is welcomed into an ancient Japanese clan called the Arashikage after saving the life of their heir apparent. Upon arrival in Japan, the Arashikage teach Snake Eyes the ways of the ninja warrior while also providing something he’s been longing for: a home. 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. Based on the iconic G.I. Joe character, Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins also stars Andrew Koji as Storm Shadow, Úrsula Corberó as The Baroness, Samara Weaving as Scarlett, Haruka Abe as Akiko, Tahehiro Hira as Kenta and Iko Uwais as Hard Master.

STARRING: Henry Golding, Andrew Koji, Úrsula Corberó, Samara Weaving, Haruka Abe, Takehiro Hira with Iko Uwais

DIRECTED BY: Robert Schwentke

SCREENPLAY BY: Evan Spiliotopoulos and Anna Waterhouse & Joe Shrapnel
STORY BY: Evan Spiliotopoulos

BASED ON Hasbro’s G.I. JOE® Characters