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Yo Joe!
Apr 14, 2022 10:39:00 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Apr 14, 2022 10:39:00 GMT -5
Great pic:
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Yo Joe!
Apr 14, 2022 11:24:05 GMT -5
Post by codystarbuck on Apr 14, 2022 11:24:05 GMT -5
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Yo Joe!
Apr 14, 2022 11:33:39 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Apr 14, 2022 11:33:39 GMT -5
Two words: bloody awesome.
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Yo Joe!
Apr 20, 2022 4:02:10 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Apr 20, 2022 4:02:10 GMT -5
G.I. Joe: The Movie was released 35 years ago today: I’ve often been critical of how *some* 80s cartoons are “extended toy commercials”, such as MASK. Revisit that, as I did recently, and it’s just one interchangeable episode after another, with little depth or character development. Deeply frustrating. I’m happy to say that I don’t feel that way about either the G.I. Joe cartoon or the movie. We all know the story, but a recap never hurts: Cobra Emperor Serpentor (more of a figurehead) clashes with Cobra Commander, the day-to-day leader of Cobra, over Cobra’s frequent losses to G.I. Joe. Soon after, a woman known as Pythona infiltrates Cobra’s HQ and reveals Cobra’s true links to a subterranean civilization, Cobra-La. Pythona and the Cobra-La then work together to try and defeat G.I. Joe once and for all, by acquiring G.I. Joe's latest weapon, the Broadcast Energy Transmitter (BET). This will allow them to launch spore pods from space, mutating the world’s population. This is a really good movie, one which could appeal to all ages, I feel. There is so much going on in the film, from dissension within Cobra (Cobra Commander sees himself as the true leader despite Serpentor’s figurehead nature) to G.I. Joe having to go all out to save the world. I liked the voice, cast, too, especially Don Johnson as Lt. Falcon, and Burgess Meredith as Golobulus. This was a very “out there” concept which divided fans. Some thought G.I. Joe had gone too far in a sci-fi/fantasy direction, far from its semi-realistic military roots. Serpentor had been cloned from the DNA of history’s conquerors. Cobra Commander, who had been a used car salesman gone bad in one continuity (comics, I think), was now given a more out there backstory. Really, though, I commend the producers of this cartoon for giving us something other than an “extended toy commercial”. Whatever flaws there may be, and whatever division in fandom there was (and is), someone clearly put a lot of thought into the story - and a lot of thought into exploring the backstory of certain characters.
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Yo Joe!
Apr 20, 2022 6:58:48 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Apr 20, 2022 6:58:48 GMT -5
I’ve often been critical of how *some* 80s cartoons are “extended toy commercials”, such as MASK. Revisit that, as I did recently, and it’s just one interchangeable episode after another, with little depth or character development. Deeply frustrating. I’m happy to say that I don’t feel that way about either the G.I. Joe cartoon or the movie. We all know the story, but a recap never hurts: Cobra Emperor Serpentor (more of a figurehead) clashes with Cobra Commander, the day-to-day leader of Cobra, over Cobra’s frequent losses to G.I. Joe. Soon after, a woman known as Pythona infiltrates Cobra’s HQ and reveals Cobra’s true links to a subterranean civilization, Cobra-La. Pythona and the Cobra-La then work together to try and defeat G.I. Joe once and for all, by acquiring G.I. Joe's latest weapon, the Broadcast Energy Transmitter (BET). This will allow them to launch spore pods from space, mutating the world’s population. This is a really good movie, one which could appeal to all ages, I feel. There is so much going on in the film, from dissension within Cobra (Cobra Commander sees himself as the true leader despite Serpentor’s figurehead nature) to G.I. Joe having to go all out to save the world. I liked the voice, cast, too, especially Don Johnson as Lt. Falcon, and Burgess Meredith as Golobulus. This was a very “out there” concept which divided fans. Some thought G.I. Joe had gone too far in a sci-fi/fantasy direction, far from its semi-realistic military roots. Serpentor had been cloned from the DNA of history’s conquerors. Cobra Commander, who had been a used car salesman gone bad in one continuity (comics, I think), was now given a more out there backstory. Really, though, I commend the producers of this cartoon for giving us something other than an “extended toy commercial”. Whatever flaws there may be, and whatever division in fandom there was (and is), someone clearly put a lot of thought into the story - and a lot of thought into exploring the backstory of certain characters. Oh yeah, I still love this film! You are right about all ages, my daughter got hooked on this one early on as well. She loves Pythona in particular (and sounds like me when complaining there was no action figure lol), and we share so many quotes from that movie like Cobra Commander's "I once wassss a man...." I still remember thinking back in the day how it was a bit odd at the end when they mentioned Duke was going to pull through but are staring up at the sky. Only to find out it was a quick rewrite due to the poor reception of Optimus Prime's death in the Transformers film!
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Yo Joe!
Apr 21, 2022 4:17:51 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Apr 21, 2022 4:17:51 GMT -5
Speaking of the movie, I remember sometime back looking for related comic book references including if Pythona ever appeared, and I found her comic book debut in Action Force Monthly #6 from '88:
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Yo Joe!
Apr 21, 2022 5:37:29 GMT -5
Post by Dizzy D on Apr 21, 2022 5:37:29 GMT -5
I know that Larry Hama hated Cobra-La and its ideas, so he refused to include them in any of the comics. Apparently not all writers were on the same page then.
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Yo Joe!
Apr 21, 2022 6:59:28 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Apr 21, 2022 6:59:28 GMT -5
I have mixed feelings about Cobra-La and indeed Serpentor.
When an alien showed up in The Dukes of Hazzard, it felt odd. It wasn’t a show aiming for reality necessarily, but it occupied a certain reality familiar to us. Very much in “our” world, so to speak. An alien showing up ruined that a little. Just one example for me of a semi-realistic show incorporating fantastical elements.
I could suspend disbelief and believe an organization like G.I. Joe existed. Even Cobra Commander had a certain “reality” to him, but once the franchise went down the road of cloning historical leaders’ DNA, and ancient subterranean civilizations, that verisimilitude (thanks, Richard Donner) was kind of gone for me.
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Yo Joe!
Apr 21, 2022 7:53:48 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Apr 21, 2022 7:53:48 GMT -5
I have mixed feelings about Cobra-La and indeed Serpentor. When an alien showed up in The Dukes of Hazzard, it felt odd. It wasn’t a show aiming for reality necessarily, but it occupied a certain reality familiar to us. Very much in “our” world, so to speak. An alien showing up ruined that a little. Just one example for me of a semi-realistic show incorporating fantastical elements. I could suspend disbelief and believe an organization like G.I. Joe existed. Even Cobra Commander had a certain “reality” to him, but once the franchise went down the road of cloning historical leaders’ DNA, and ancient subterranean civilizations, that verisimilitude (thanks, Richard Donner) was kind of gone for me. Along those lines, what do you think about stuff like the crossovers with the Joes and Transformers?
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Yo Joe!
Apr 21, 2022 8:08:37 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Apr 21, 2022 8:08:37 GMT -5
There’s a certain “I will let that pass” logic when it comes to those, but my favourite Joe stories are the ones with a lot of reality to them.
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Yo Joe!
Apr 22, 2022 22:15:21 GMT -5
Post by codystarbuck on Apr 22, 2022 22:15:21 GMT -5
I had a bigger issue with no one ever getting hurt...... at least, the cartoon. Well, that and the stiff animation (and I watched Cambria shows, for Toth's sake!) I watched the debut of the series (the original week-long mini-series) and then sporadically; but, once I saw the Serpentor stuff, I thought it was a bit far. Then again, after having matter transporters and no one ever even getting wounded in a fight, I figured why not? The suit looked goofy as all hell. I never cared for Sgt Slaughter being involved, especially as I knew he had never been a Marine or ever served in the Armed Forces; it was just a wrestling gimmick. Should have got Dutch Mantell; but, no one would have wanted to animate all of that body hair! When I was a midshipman, I wanted to see Shipwreck sent to Captain's Mast for violating uniform and haircut regulations, and reinforcing dumb stereotypes. Also, I wanted to see that whoever designed his costume got put on mess duty. He wears Chief Petty Officer stripes, yet he is in dungarees. Chiefs wore khaki or OD utilities, in a diving unit or Navy SEALs. Chief's hadn't worn dungarees, with a combination cover, since WW2. What you expect from a series created by an ex-Army guy> I do love the Venture Brothers' parody, Shore Leave.....
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Yo Joe!
Apr 22, 2022 22:51:29 GMT -5
Post by jason on Apr 22, 2022 22:51:29 GMT -5
I think Bazooka was an even bigger costume violation, dont think football jerseys are regulation (and why is he wearing a New England Patriots-style jersey? He's from Minnesota! Couldnt they at least make a Purple and Gold (vikings) outfit at least? Not even much of a sports fan, but still,,)
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Yo Joe!
Apr 22, 2022 23:31:43 GMT -5
Post by jason on Apr 22, 2022 23:31:43 GMT -5
However, I do like the idea behind the Battle Android Troopers. Though they were likely there just so the Joes could actually shoot something, the idea of Cobra having troops who dont have to eat, sleep, or get paid is something Cobra would have embraced immediately. I would have liked to see some scenes where Cobra Commander or Serpentor threaten to replace incompetents in their organization with B.A.T.s.
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Yo Joe!
Apr 23, 2022 6:32:41 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Apr 23, 2022 6:32:41 GMT -5
I think Bazooka was an even bigger costume violation, dont think football jerseys are regulation (and why is he wearing a New England Patriots-style jersey? He's from Minnesota! Couldnt they at least make a Purple and Gold (vikings) outfit at least? Not even much of a sports fan, but still,,) That football jersey always made me smile. Very casual. Shipwreck’s casual attire made me laugh, too, but in an old post, codystarbuck explained a thing or two to me about sailors’ attire.
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Yo Joe!
Apr 23, 2022 10:25:39 GMT -5
Post by codystarbuck on Apr 23, 2022 10:25:39 GMT -5
I think Bazooka was an even bigger costume violation, dont think football jerseys are regulation (and why is he wearing a New England Patriots-style jersey? He's from Minnesota! Couldnt they at least make a Purple and Gold (vikings) outfit at least? Not even much of a sports fan, but still,,) That football jersey always made me smile. Very casual. Shipwreck’s casual attire made me laugh, too, but in an old post, codystarbuck explained a thing or two to me about sailors’ attire. Yeah; but, that was in WW2, in the Pacific, with a long time at sea. After WW2, the Navy was a bit more stern about uniform regulations. Beards were outlawed by the end of the 1970s, in part because they prevented a tight seal when donning Oxygen Breathing Apparatus, for fighting fires. In my day, the only reason a sailor could have a beard was if shaving caused major skin irritations. Then, they had to obtain a "shaving chit" from the Corpsman. It was a condition that was more common among African-American sailors than white or Latino. Mustaches were allowed, but the regulations were so exacting that few grew them. They couldn't reach past a vertical line drawn at the edge of the mouth and could not touch the lip. It required so much daily grooming that few bothered. The SEALs could have modified grooming standards, for covert missions, to blend in with the populace; but, that was mainly DEVGRU (aka SEAL Team 6). Delta Force was the same. JOE is the equivalent of Delta Force, more or less. The comment about the COBRA dudes not being paid brings to mind what I would like to see: recruitment of their soldiers and training, then labor relations. You have to think that someone took issue with their pay and tried to organize against COBRA Commander. Plus, the guy was an idiot; how about a COBRA mutiny? Then, I want to see the secret negotiations between COBRA and JOE that set the terms of battle, so no one actually got hurt and they could make it look good, when it came appropriation time. You know this was like pro wrestling, where they were working together, to make it look good. Just like the Americans and the Italians, in the Blake Edwards film, What Did You Do In The War, Daddy? (Great movie!)
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