Snake Eyes G.I. Joe Origins – 4K Blu-ray Review
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Paramount Pictures | 2021
PG13 | 2hrs 1 min | Action | Adventure | Thriller | Sc-Fi
HD | 1080P | Dolby Atmos | Dolby TrueHD 7.1
Upconverted? 4K | 2160P | Dolby Vison | HDR10 | Dolby Atmos | Dolby TrueHD 7.1
Aspect Ratio 2.39:1
Staring: Henry Golding | Andrew Koji | Úrsula Corberó | Samara Weaving | Iko Uwais | Haruka Abe
Directed by: Robert Schwentke
Ratings & Reviews
Please see here for my comments on reviewing movies.
My ratings are simple being marked out of a maximum of 5+. My reviews are biased towards the technical production aspects of the film with brief comments about the story line. Extras, sorry, that’s just not my ‘bag’.
So what did the 7.1 soundtrack sound like? Very good in most respects, and the 4K HDR10 video? Also very good.
Entertainment: 4+
Video: 4+
Audio: 4+
Technical Review – Upscaled? 4K UHD HDR10
Snake Eyes: G.I Joe Origins was captured digitally at 3.4K resolution using Arri Alexa Mini cameras with Cooke Anamorphic/i SF and Leica Summilux-C lenses. Due to lack of information, it is assumed that it was finished as a 2K Digital Intermediate and then upconverted and graded for HDR for this 4K release in both Dolby Vision and HDR10. This dual-layer BD50 disc has been well authored and shows no excessive use of noise reduction or edge sharpening and no obvious compression artifacts. While the package contains a redeemable digital code, there is no HD Blu-ray disc included.
Overall the imagery is often quite dark but is generally sharp and clear, just lacking a little in fine detail with textures being just a little smooth, especially when compared to native 4K imagery. Clothing, threads and facial close-ups provide good detail and definition with natural skin tones and accurate rendition of pores, eyelashes, hair strands, cuts, bruises and features without any undue exaggerations. CGI integration was also very good with no significant changes to detail or additional softness.
Deep blacks abound throughout, were noise free, and showed good low level and shadow detail as found in the night scenes and various room sequences. Peak whites and overall highlights provided clean detail with no clipping; like small particles of debris, the neon lights glinting off of raindrops, the suns glow as it bounces of the snow, the white suite and the high sheen off various metallic surfaces. All providing a solid dynamic contrast range and enhancing visibility of objects in both interior and particularly exterior shots.
Color fidelity is very good with well saturated primaries and secondaries, all having good color depth and density, hues are vibrant and accurate. This is especially true once the movie moves to Tokyo. Exterior shots tend to focus more on natural earth tones of blues, browns, and greens, but bursts forth during the night shots with the glow from neon streetlights and signs, of reds, pinks, purples, blues and more. From the deep blood reds to the vivid greens of the trees and foliage, colors abound everywhere with a mix of browns of the village stone walls and wood, yellows and gold of the shirt. Not to be outdone the yellow of the lanterns in the McGuffin safe and reflecting on the river were sumptuous.
Overall a very good image but not quite making it to reference.
Audio – Dolby TrueHD 7.1
Snake Eyes: G.I Joe Origins primary audio is the same English 7.1 Dolby Atmos mix on both the 4K and HD discs. In my system it defaults to Dolby TrueHD7.1. Action scenes are very energetic with vehicular collisions, frenzied sword fights, gun shots and other weapons all having good impact. The surrounds are continually engaged helping pull you into the various environmental atmospheres from the total mayhem and chaos of striking metallic swords and bodies hitting the ground, rain, zipping electric motorcycles, the roar of cars, trucks and thunder to the quiet solitude of the village mountainous retreats.
Imaging continuously feels broad and expansive as action moves on and off-screen, with dialogue always clear and detailed with solid front-center imaging and prioritization. Music is smooth and detailed, with effortless integration within the sound stage, being well balanced between the dialogue and effects and making good use of the surrounds.
Sub woofer workout is solid during the various fight sequences, gunshots, thunder and in particular as the snakes arrive.
There is little to criticize regarding this soundtrack, providing as it does, a very good mix.
Story Overview
The movie follows the life of a young boy (Max Archibald) that witnesses his father (Steven Allerick) being murdered after he roles a pair of loaded die for “Snake Eyes”. The now orphaned son (Henry Golding) vows revenge on his fathers killer and takes the name “Snake Eyes”, making a living as a cage fighter. Snake Eyes is recruited by the Los Angeles Yakuza who offers to find the person that killed his father if he will provide his fighting skills to support them. Sent to the LA docks, Snake Eyes makes a new friend Tommy (Andrew Koji) and during a fight Snake Eyes saves his life and finds himself at the village of the ancient Japanese clan called the Arashikage.
Snake Eyes is now provided with something he has been logging for, a new home. However, to become part of the clan he must first undergo three tests. Now he must decide who he is fighting for, as his honor is torn between satisfying his revenge for his fathers death and his allegiance to his new friend and heir apparent to the Arashikage clan.
The stage is now set for Snake Eyes and Tommy to face new threats from a growing force called Cobra.
My 2 cents
An entertaining journey of the birth of Snake Eyes and the beginnings of Cobra and Storm Shadow. Some excellent martial arts choreography, a good image and a solid “keep you in the action” surround sound.
Purchase from Amazon here.
