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THE DARK KNIGHT RISES Set Visit Preview and 4 Awesome New Posters!Steve Has Seen director Stephen Sommers G.I.JOE: THE RISE OF COBRA and Says It’s the Cartoon Come to Life
by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub Posted:July 15th, 2009 at 12:56 pm
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“G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra” is not the train wreck you’re expecting.
In fact, some of the film is quite good. While many of you won’t believe me till you see it with your own eyes on August 7th, last night I got into a research screening of director Stephen Sommers “G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra” at the Bridge Theater in Los Angeles and came away liking what I saw.
My one sentence: It’s the cartoon come to life.
You want more, it’s after the jump:
When Paramount decided to make a “G.I. Joe” movie, you knew they could only go in one direction with Hasbro as a producing partner – make a live-action cartoon that’s designed to sell toys – and that’s exactly what they did. Instead of trying to explain a convoluted plot and give a back-story to every character, the film jumps right into the action and never slows down till the end credits.
Also, the film has plenty of high-tech weaponry, vehicles, and gadgets that kids and the die-hard fans will love. How does a Joe jetpack work? It just does. How do the futuristic weapons work? They just do. How did the accelerator suit get developed and how does it work? Stop asking questions and just go with it. As I said, a cartoon come to life.
Since Paramount might not be too happy with a review of a research screening, here are some random thoughts on the film in no particular order. Also, I like bullet points so…
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– The action scenes are really well done and there are a lot of them. While some expensive action films make it impossible to follow what’s going on, “G.I. Joe” is easy to follow. I never lost track of who was where or what they were doing. This is in stark contrast to a film like “Quantum of Solace” which was all over the place. That opening car chase looked like it was shot and edited by Stevie Wonder. By contrast, you always know what’s happening in “G.I. Joe”
– The movie is cheesy but fun. Yeah, the dialogue is corny and everyone was either a good or a bad guy, but that’s the cartoon. Also, it never went for the really cheap joke or any bathroom humor. Sorry Bay, but you could learn from Stephen Sommers on this one.
– The pacing is spot on. With the film clocking in around 1 hr. 45 minutes or so, you’re never far removed from an action scene..jpg "G.I. Joe The Rise of Cobra movie image (3).jpg")
– The plot actually works and makes sense…for a “G.I. Joe” movie. Unlike “Transformers 2″, “Joe’s” got a clear story. The bad guys want to destroy certain cities/important monuments/take over the world and the good guys are trying to stop them. That’s it.
– Snake Eyes/Storm Shadow stuff will make the fans very happy. Not only do you get a great battle between them in present day, you learn how they met and see a solid fight between them as kids. How many summer blockbusters are there with kids beating the shit out of each other? Also, Snake Eyes is just cool and Ray Park does some great stuff in the movie.
– CGI is great in parts and other times…um…not so good. I wonder when people are going to finally realize that putting a CGI aircraft in the bright sunshine doesn’t look good.
– THE PITT (Joe’s base) is so ridiculously over the top in size and scope, it’d would cost trillions to build. Instead of trying to explain how they built the base and how it works, they took the jetpack and futuristic weapons approach: It just does.
– “Star Wars’” has some influence on costumes and sound effects. The M.A.R.S. Troopers are nothing more than Stormtroopers. Since Hasbro knows what toys sell… Also, The McCullen underwater base was straight out of “Episode One: The Phantom Menace”. I kept waiting for Boss Nass to show up and take control.
– The movie expects you to know most of the characters. If you’ve never heard of Zartan or Breaker, you’re not going to learn any back stories here. Also, a few characters show up as very brief cameos and then they’re gone.
– The accelerator suits were well used in the movie. Many, myself included, thought they’d be overdone and/or incredibly stupid, but that isn’t the case. They were just used in the Paris action scene and provided some good moments.
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– Sienna Miller and Rachel Nichols are going to get some new fans. Not only do they have a fun girl fight, they both wear some very form fitting clothing. I’m confident some adolescent boys are about to have their first crush.
– Joseph Gordon Levitt. I won’t reveal who he plays so those that don’t know will be surprised. But I really liked his look in the film and how over the top his character was. I especially liked the voice he used.
– Ending is actually great. Minor Spoiler: highlight to read. They set up Cobra Commander, Destro and another surprise. It’s absolutely setting up a sequel. Loved the ending and wish we had gotten a bit more Cobra Commander. But, that’s for the sequel…
Overall, while “G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra” is not a home-run, it was definitely better than I expected and I thought it was a fun summer popcorn movie. If you’ve always wanted to see Duke, Baroness, Breaker, Heavy Duty and all the Joe characters you watched as a kid on the screen, I think you’re going to be happy. If you’re going in with an axe to grind, there is plenty to go after, but you could do that with the cartoon.
And if you want to read more people’s thoughts on the film, AICN has some reviews and Latino Review does as well. All of them are relatively positive.
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Related Links
- 4 Movie Clips from G.I. JOE: THE RISE OF COBRA
- New G.I. JOE: THE RISE OF COBRA Movie Images
- Exclusive: Rachel Nichols (Scarlett) and Sienna Miller (Baroness) Video Interview G.I. JOE: THE RISE OF COBRA
- Exclusive: G.I. JOE SEQUEL is Happening; Zombieland’s Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick Writing G.I. JOE 2
- G.I. JOE: THE RISE OF COBRA Blu-ray Review
WOOOOO!!!! Tho I loved TF2 I CANT WAIT FOR Rise of Cobra!!!!!
WOOOOO!!!! Tho I loved TF2 I CANT WAIT FOR Rise of Cobra!!!!!
holy Sh!t. Will watch.
holy Sh!t. Will watch.
They had me at Sienna Miller in tight leather.
They had me at Sienna Miller in tight leather.
This makes me so happy to hear!
Though I wonder, was it 1h45 with credits or without credits?
I don’t remember the exact time. But around 1hr 45. Maybe a few minutes either way.
This makes me so happy to hear!
Though I wonder, was it 1h45 with credits or without credits?
I don’t remember the exact time. But around 1hr 45. Maybe a few minutes either way.
LOL was it as GOOD as Jumper Steve?
LOL was it as GOOD as Jumper Steve?
Are you kidding me?! What is wrong with you people!? This thing is awful!
hey sinister what the hell is your major defect boy you are bonehead how can you say it is awful you probably h’avent even seen the damn movie yet so either your a moron for thinking that way because no fans of the cartoons would say that the movie is awful before they saw it so get lost mr negative
HAHAHA Well said dude!!
Are you kidding me?! What is wrong with you people!? This thing is awful!
hey sinister what the hell is your major defect boy you are bonehead how can you say it is awful you probably h’avent even seen the damn movie yet so either your a moron for thinking that way because no fans of the cartoons would say that the movie is awful before they saw it so get lost mr negative
HAHAHA Well said dude!!
I have been angry at this movie since I saw they decided to put everyone in Black Leather instead of giving them some individuality and some personality of their own. For me as a kid is was always about who had the coolest outfit and I couldn’t wait to see those costumes brought to life. Instead everyone is wearing the freak’n batsuit!
Anyway, this review at least gives me some hopes and continues my believe that Sommer’s always seem to make, at least, an entertaining film.
The many varying uniforms were needed to give the toy figures personality because that’s the only way they could do it.
As this is the first time Joes have been portrayed by REAL ACTORS, surely that’s where the individuallity will come from in this medium?
I’m sure you are right, but from a “marketing” standpoint as well as source material, you knew characters by how they looked (as toys and in the cartoon). I just figured this would have been a costume designer’s (and filmmaker’s) dream to bring those costumes to life in a “realistic” way.
I’m hoping that the title is true and this is the set up…and we’ll see a little more of the “toy line” in the next film. I know it’s petty, but I’m all about utilizing source material.
I have been angry at this movie since I saw they decided to put everyone in Black Leather instead of giving them some individuality and some personality of their own. For me as a kid is was always about who had the coolest outfit and I couldn’t wait to see those costumes brought to life. Instead everyone is wearing the freak’n batsuit!
Anyway, this review at least gives me some hopes and continues my believe that Sommer’s always seem to make, at least, an entertaining film.
The many varying uniforms were needed to give the toy figures personality because that’s the only way they could do it.
As this is the first time Joes have been portrayed by REAL ACTORS, surely that’s where the individuallity will come from in this medium?
I’m sure you are right, but from a “marketing” standpoint as well as source material, you knew characters by how they looked (as toys and in the cartoon). I just figured this would have been a costume designer’s (and filmmaker’s) dream to bring those costumes to life in a “realistic” way.
I’m hoping that the title is true and this is the set up…and we’ll see a little more of the “toy line” in the next film. I know it’s petty, but I’m all about utilizing source material.
Um, I don’t know who Heavy Duty is, I grew up watching ROADBLOCK on the screen!
The rhyming heavy-machinegunner chef!
Um, I don’t know who Heavy Duty is, I grew up watching ROADBLOCK on the screen!
The rhyming heavy-machinegunner chef!
I totally agree with JD Nobody. The only beef I have with this movie is that they don’t have costumes similar to the cartoon and I don’t like Marlon being Ripcord should have been Stalker!!!
Style that is a perfect call. He would have worked great as Stalker! Anyone else ever think that the Ripcord figure resembled John Wayne?
I totally agree with JD Nobody. The only beef I have with this movie is that they don’t have costumes similar to the cartoon and I don’t like Marlon being Ripcord should have been Stalker!!!
Style that is a perfect call. He would have worked great as Stalker! Anyone else ever think that the Ripcord figure resembled John Wayne?
I didn’t want to see this movie at first, but know snce i read thisreview, i think i will see it. i hope its better than that piece of crap known as transfomers 2
I didn’t want to see this movie at first, but know snce i read thisreview, i think i will see it. i hope its better than that piece of crap known as transfomers 2
I can tell you all what you want to know. I read the the comic book adaptation. The Docotor is Cobra Commander, who is Rex- Dukes old buddy and- hold your breath- the Baroness’s brother. That’s right! CC and the Baroness are brother and sister. Talk about Star Wars, he hit the anil on the head. The entire movie is based on Star Wars motifs! The Vipers are altered in the same way the clones are, to feel no emotion, such as fear. As for the ending, Duke scares Destro’s face with fire, at that moment the doctor dawns his glass mask and gives Destro his- with nanomites. Zartan is injected with them aswell, to take on the Presidents identity, and takes his place at the White House. The End!
I can tell you all what you want to know. I read the the comic book adaptation. The Docotor is Cobra Commander, who is Rex- Dukes old buddy and- hold your breath- the Baroness’s brother. That’s right! CC and the Baroness are brother and sister. Talk about Star Wars, he hit the anil on the head. The entire movie is based on Star Wars motifs! The Vipers are altered in the same way the clones are, to feel no emotion, such as fear. As for the ending, Duke scares Destro’s face with fire, at that moment the doctor dawns his glass mask and gives Destro his- with nanomites. Zartan is injected with them aswell, to take on the Presidents identity, and takes his place at the White House. The End!
All I have to say is the last enternaining film Stephen Sommers made was the first Mummy movie. Mummy returns and Van Helsing were bloated peices of crap. Which this Gi Joe looks more of the same. And I’m really starting to dislike people saying it’s a “fun flick”. Sure the story sucks, the plot is a mess, and the acting sucks. But the action scenes are huge, loud, and fun. It’s summer who cares about story. I mean what happenend to fun movies that has an interesting story and character. Once and while we still get them. Iron Man for the most part even though the second half kind of was lacking. You had the The Dark Knight. I mean if you want a sure thing of seeing a movie that is fun and entertaining with a good story and character you probably should go to a Pixar movie. lol. Oh and that GI JOE ABSOLUTE cartoon by Warren Ellis was exactly how you adapt GI JOE for the big screen.
All I have to say is the last enternaining film Stephen Sommers made was the first Mummy movie. Mummy returns and Van Helsing were bloated peices of crap. Which this Gi Joe looks more of the same. And I’m really starting to dislike people saying it’s a “fun flick”. Sure the story sucks, the plot is a mess, and the acting sucks. But the action scenes are huge, loud, and fun. It’s summer who cares about story. I mean what happenend to fun movies that has an interesting story and character. Once and while we still get them. Iron Man for the most part even though the second half kind of was lacking. You had the The Dark Knight. I mean if you want a sure thing of seeing a movie that is fun and entertaining with a good story and character you probably should go to a Pixar movie. lol. Oh and that GI JOE ABSOLUTE cartoon by Warren Ellis was exactly how you adapt GI JOE for the big screen.
I cannot wait. It should have been along the line of GiJoe Resolute, but hey this will do.
I cannot wait. It should have been along the line of GiJoe Resolute, but hey this will do.
i read that the movie was 118 minutes long
i read that the movie was 118 minutes long