As release date nears, more and more reviews are starting to crop up for G.I. Joe: The Rise of COBRA, and surprise, surprise…most of them are positive. Here’s the latest round up:
Merrick, AintItCoolNews; When reading this review you need to keep in mind, that Merrick has spent the better half of the past 18 months slamming the movie, slamming the director, deriding pretty much every angle and everything to do with the production of this movie. Pretty much all of it, soup to nuts. Here is his first line:
“This said, I’m unable to keep my mouth shut about G.I. JOE: THE RISE OF COBRA – primarily because I’ve spent the last year and a half kicking the film, knocking Stephen Sommers (whose VAN HELSING I still regard as one of the most overwrought, self-indulgent pieces of pap to hit screens in many years), and negatively prejudging the capabilities of nearly everyone involved with this project.
I was wrong. I’m here to say it, and I’m happy to admit it. I was wrong.
G.I. JOE is big, OTT, intellectually challenged, and idiotic as they come – which could certainly describe nearly ever other Stephen Sommers film to date. But it’s also a helluva lot more fun than they are, and here’s why…”
Yeah, I’ll take that as hefty praise from someone who is absolutely not a plant, a blind G.I. Joe fanboy, or someone with mysterious alterior motives.
“Well, it’s time to let Sommers out of director jail, folks, because his latest film “G.I. Joe: The Rise Of Cobra” is big, ridiculous, and way more fun than I would have thought possible. It is a summer movie, through and through, pure pulp preposterousness, and it is one of the most successful little-boy adventure movies I’ve seen in a long time.”
More good words… Also, movie ratings site RottenTomatoes.com finally has G.I. Joe: The Rise of COBRA on its radar, and it currently as a very fresh “83%” with 5 out of 6 positive reviews to show for it. Check those reviews out here.
I’m sure the bad words are coming, but until then, it’s just damn nice to see some positive buzz for a change, especially considering the fact that it’s coming from people who have actually, shock of all shocks, SEEN the film.
Some folks may be aware that Monday I’m planning on trying to make the Charity Screening for the Rise of COBRA down in Rhode Island. They might also be aware that my wife is 9 months pregnant (though not due for another 2 weeks). So far she feels great and sees no issues with me making the jaunt down, so I’m still planning on it.
I’m also planning on hitting some New England area Target stores during the trip, and I’m “Tweeting” the entire way…so if you’re not following me on Twitter yet, think about doing it for Monday. I won’t be on the site at all from noon on, so Twitter will be my means of communication, at least for that afternoon. I plan on tweeting my reactions to the movie right after seeing it (I should be out 9:30 – 10:00 pm), so get first hand opinions from a fan’s point of view.
Toys “R” Us appears to be offering a landmark sale again, with G.I. Joe: The Rise of COBRA figures going on sale 2 for $9.99 yet again…not only that, but they’re offering a free $10.00 G.I. Joe gift card for every $30.00 you spend. This could get ridiculous!
Thanks to ntfrceshockwave from HissTank.com for the info! Now if only I had a local TRU…
G.I. JOE FANS TAKE SIDES WITH PREMIUM XBOX 360 AND PLAYSTATION THEMES
G.I. JOE and COBRA Themes and Picture Packs Now Available on Xbox LIVE and the PlayStation Network
Xbox 360 and PlayStation3 fans will have to declare more than just their console allegiance today as EA and the G.I. JOE The Rise of Cobra video game gives them yet another reason to pick sides: premium G.I. JOE and COBRA themes are now available for download on Xbox LIVE and the PlayStation Network! Inspired by 45 years of G.I. JOE history, the premium Xbox LIVE themes feature memorable G.I. JOE and COBRA vehicles from past and present, while the premium PlayStation Network turns PS3 home screens into a virtual battleground with the G.I. JOE Accelerator Suit (G.I. JOE theme) and the COBRA Serpent Battle Armor (COBRA theme). Also available for download on Xbox LIVE will be G.I. JOE and COBRA picture packs featuring members of the famous G.I. JOE and COBRA teams, along with G.I. JOE and COBRA logos. While your console loyalty may have already been pledged, the question remains…G.I. JOE or COBRA: which side are you on?
The G.I. JOE Premium Xbox Theme, COBRA Premium Xbox Theme, G.I. JOE Picture Pack, and COBRA Picture pack are now available for download for 80MSP each on Xbox LIVE. The Premium G.I. JOE PlayStation Theme and Premium COBRA PlayStation Theme are now available for download for $0.99 on the PlayStation Network.
G.I. JOE The Rise of Cobra hits stores on August 4th, and will be available for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, PlayStation 2, Nintendo DS, PlayStation Portable (PSP) as well as mobile phones.
I’d mentioned that the Film School Rejects Twitter Feed had already raved about The Rise of COBRA, but now the actual review has been posted, and it earned a “B”. The reviewer, Neil Miller, talks about the film extensively, and it’s obvious that he really enjoyed it.
“Over the course of the past several months, there has been a lot of talk about G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra — everything from director changes to problems in the editing room to abysmal test screening results. And such is the case with any movie made from a line of toys or a comic book, these types of rumors and reports have set the internet ablaze. It is to the point where even now, as I come to you to attest to the fun ride that I have witnessed with my own two eyes, you will still remain skeptical. It is a sad situation, especially for a movie that is a lot more fun than it should’ve been. It’s a movie that is a lot tighter and well-paced than some of the other action tentpoles we’ve seen this summer. And, on its most basic level, it’s a movie worth seeing.”
This seems to be an ongoing theme with the reviewers of the film…it’s got bad buzz, it doesn’t deserve it, it’s a tightly directed, well-paced, frenetic action film that will keep you entertained. And best of all, it’s fun. He finishes with the following two apt paragraphs:
“If you go in expecting an Iron Man, you’re in for a big disappointment. Seeing G.I. Joe hearkens back the experience I had seeing Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles as a young boy. If I were to look back at TMNT with fresh eyes now, I wouldn’t like it as much. Having seen it as a child, that movie has a special place in my heart. The same can be said for G.I. Joe, and for this generation of young boys. And those young boys and their families? That is who will love this film. This is not an adult movie; this is a family-friendly, youthful movie. Go see it; but don’t expect it to be a movie made specifically for you. Unless, of course, you’re a ten year-old boy.
In the end, G.I. Joe is simple spectacle. A movie that, while silly and in many ways over-the-top, can deliver an experience that is deliriously fun. And it is fun. Quick. Exciting. And fun. It sets you in a world that is cartoony and larger then life, propels you through one big chase and ultimately delivers the goods and the explosions. It is this kind of efficient, fun-natured storytelling that could make G.I. Joe one of the best action movies of the summer. That is, if you can look past all of that bad buzz and actually give it a chance.”
The pregnancy of my wife will determine if I make the trip to see the Monday screening, but things are looking good so far. I can’t remember a time when I’ve been so excited to see a movie. Hopefully it will not disappoint. Click here to read the full review.
