(no subject)
Okay, the reason why the live-action GI Joe movie was not the complete train wreck I expected it to be was because my expectations were all wrong.
I was expecting it to be a reinvention of the franchise just like the Devils Due comics and GI Joe Resolute, the latter I recommend all Joe fans should watch. This wasn't an attempt to turn turn Joe into something adult-oriented. Sommers's Joe film lives in its childish fantasy world, complete with massive subterranean bases, sci-fi weaponry, and awesome ninja action. The story is not deep, nor is it solid, but it is serviceable to what amounts to a roller-coaster of often-times imaginative action sequences. I still hate the idea of the mecha-suits, but I found that chase sequence to be rather unique and fun in the end.
I still have my nitpicks, from some of the weaponry to the vehicle designs (the Joe transport looks nothing more than a flying hunk of metal, lacking any sense of design whatsoever) and especially some of the character portrayals. Call me a purist, because I somewhat am, but there are some things I wish this film took from the cartoons and the comics, such as Duke becoming field leader, the romantic angle between Scarlett, Snake Eyes, and Duke, and them actually using their particular fields of expertise (Scarlett, for example, is the Joes' counter-intelligence specialist.) The scenes at the Pit could actually have been used to show off the other Joe teams, such as Flint's, and Hawk's (Lowlight, Cross Country, Lifeline, Rocondo, etc.) and hell, even guys like Beachhead and Gung Ho could still fit in the background. but these are mostly missed opportunities and not actual "mistakes."
Overall, this GI Joe film was fun, enjoyable fare. It's not solid, and it's definitely made for the tykes. As long as you're in that mindset, you should enjoy the ride.
I was expecting it to be a reinvention of the franchise just like the Devils Due comics and GI Joe Resolute, the latter I recommend all Joe fans should watch. This wasn't an attempt to turn turn Joe into something adult-oriented. Sommers's Joe film lives in its childish fantasy world, complete with massive subterranean bases, sci-fi weaponry, and awesome ninja action. The story is not deep, nor is it solid, but it is serviceable to what amounts to a roller-coaster of often-times imaginative action sequences. I still hate the idea of the mecha-suits, but I found that chase sequence to be rather unique and fun in the end.
I still have my nitpicks, from some of the weaponry to the vehicle designs (the Joe transport looks nothing more than a flying hunk of metal, lacking any sense of design whatsoever) and especially some of the character portrayals. Call me a purist, because I somewhat am, but there are some things I wish this film took from the cartoons and the comics, such as Duke becoming field leader, the romantic angle between Scarlett, Snake Eyes, and Duke, and them actually using their particular fields of expertise (Scarlett, for example, is the Joes' counter-intelligence specialist.) The scenes at the Pit could actually have been used to show off the other Joe teams, such as Flint's, and Hawk's (Lowlight, Cross Country, Lifeline, Rocondo, etc.) and hell, even guys like Beachhead and Gung Ho could still fit in the background. but these are mostly missed opportunities and not actual "mistakes."
Overall, this GI Joe film was fun, enjoyable fare. It's not solid, and it's definitely made for the tykes. As long as you're in that mindset, you should enjoy the ride.