Amongst the several people around the country who apparently saw an advance screening of G.I. Joe: The Rise of COBRA, Steve ‘Frosty’ Weintraub from renowned movie site, Collider.com got some time in a theater seat and shared his thoughts here.
According to Weintraub, this film is like a cartoon come to life, only with more action. How can you go wrong. In fact, you could almost say he raves about the film, with quotes like “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””.
He goes on to say “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.”
Awesome. Freaking awesome. This is exactly what I’ve been hoping to hear, and so far, the reviews are 4 for 4 what I’ve been expecting and hoping for all along. To read the full review, click here, or check out the “Full Story” link below. I’m really fired up over this early response!
“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 snuck 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.
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…
– 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.
– 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.
– 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: 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.
Absolutely wonderful news. If this movie really is as good as these reviews indicate, then 2009 will be the greatest year Joe has ever had since the 80s.
I have never been more excited for a movie!
I am counting the days!
Im glad the reviews are positive.
Cant Wait!!!!!
I’m getting more and more excited as the days go by as the new reviews and trailers keep rolling in. It seems it’s just what many of us expected it to be and I couldn’t be happier. I have a feeling I’m going to be smiling like an idiot when I’m in the theater.
Unless any review tells me that the “Doctor” and “Cobra Commander” we’ve seen so far is all a marketing lie and the REAL Cobra Commander shows up, hood and all, in this movie, then I couldn’t be bothered. If you’re honestly happy to accept mediocrity from this movie, that speaks volumes about you. Sorry if I want my Joe movie held to a higher standard than “well it didn’t suck, but it wasn’t good either.”
Seriously, is that all you people want from a movie these days? To be passable? All while disgracing the source material from which it’s based?
Spare me.
No, I simply *gasp* want to be entertained for two hours. Is that too much to hope for these days? Give me a break, how many different times can the same story be told about the hood or the battle mask… Nobody is happy to “accept mediocrity”, some folks just have an open mind and don’t get all bent about changes.
G.I. Joe has already changed a shitload over the past twenty-seven years, this is just another step. As long as I enjoy myself for two hours. This film is going to have zero impact on the toys, characters, and events I’ve known for twenty-seven years, and the toys are kicking ass, too. If the film sucks, I move on. I don’t let it control my life.
lmao cobra commander were you seriously hoping for a joe movie to be on the same level as citzen kane or casablance? there is nothing in the entire history of gi joe that should lead anyone to believe that gi joe movie will be of the same caliber. this movie is oriented toward kids and teens and not uptight pretentious adults. his review didnt just say it was just passable he said it was really fun movie. maybe some people just need to remove the stick……:-)
I’ve never Doubted this movie……Not for a second, The previews are just like live action shots from various sunbow episodes! And I know that Hasbro has invested a lot in this, so I say this, ……….YO-JOE! Here’s to the Future, it looks like it’s a JOE Filled one!
Well, I still won’t be seeing the movie. I never really got into the cartoon and am more of a comic fan, so the fact that it is like the cartoon come to life doesn’t really do anything for me. Still, for those who like the cartoon, it’s good news. And I’m in love with most of the toys, so if they come down in price a little more I might even be getting some of them.
Sam
just because a film is a “pure popcorn summer movie” with a simple plot with alot of action means it’s a going to be a bad or a just average film. infact it could be a great movie. the things is there many different types of movies. dramas, thrillers, sc-fi, westerns, ext…and there many different tones in film, some films are more serious and some are more light hearted. now it doesn’t mean that a film that’s more serious and complicated will be better then a more light hearted movie just because it’s serious.
think of it this way i love reading time magazine and i love reading (and laughing my ass off) mad magazine. now i wouldn’t say time is a better magazine than mad, they both serve a different purpose. some films you go see to laugh, some to cry, some to learn, and some to see snake eyes kick storm shadow’s ass. and if rise of cobra turns out to be a fun and a simple but interesting film with alot of cool action scenes i wouldn’t call that being average cause i haven’t seen one film this year that meet those 3 criteria.
If the movie tells a solid story and is entertaining, then its a win. However, if it’s the nonsensical tripe that Transformers 2 then I’ll not be pleased.
Yes, I’m not happy about what has been done to Cobra Commander. However, I’m going to reserve final judgement until I see it on the big screen. I think Justin’s energy has proven contagious, however, as I’m getting more and more excited for this in spite of myself.
*raises fist in the air*
Curse you JUSTIN!!!
perhaps its time for cobra commander to be revamped anyway. a mutant snake didnt really work well, and frankly neither did a used car salesman and pyramid scheme operator. his classic outfit while stylish for the 1940’s leaves a little to be desired in the modern era. i will definately keep an open mind.
on a separate note i am most happy about there not being the cheap bathroom humor. i will actually be able to take my son to this one.