This is another edition to the "Under the Radar Video" franchise. The film is also another childhood gem of mine, being a G. I. Joe fan, I enjoyed this film and I still do.
Alright before we get down to business it's time to clear out the misfires. Yeah, one of those misfires was the plotline itself, which I'll admit felt completely out of place. I know that back then animated shows back then didn't have any too many rules, but here they might have gone a step too far. It felt like a plotline that belonged in Hasbro's other franchises like "Inhumanoids" or even "Conan the Adventurer" which would have made a lot more sense; though that couldn't happen as both never got a animated film (hopefully if the franchises are somehow revived it will).
Don't really like that most of the characters of Cobra automatically cooperate with the force Cobra La; especially characters Destro and Baroness which I thought was completely out of character on their part as both would never do this. Can't help but feel an opportunity was missed on this, where you could have had Destro, Baroness, and other Cobra characters that aren't on board with Cobra La, team up with G. I. Joe to fight with them. Since this film was a send-off for the series why not, in a way this could have been a final hurrah seeing beloved characters from both sides engaged in one more final fight; damn what a shame.
The other is the film has too many characters, which is why for fans of the show you'll be sorely disappointed as most beloved characters don't get much screen time or are reduced to cameo appearances as the focus is more on the new characters. But due to the length of the film and story it just couldn't be helped.
However, I feel the real reason this film didn't make much of a hit on the silver screen was just being another victim of bad timing, as this film came out just when the "G. I. Joe" franchise was running its course. Granted it did continue from the early 90's but it didn't work just didn't fire on the same caliber and fans like myself were simply ready to move on and take a rest from the series for now anyway.
Despite the films misfires it does have its hits which to me is where the film counts the most. As I said despite a plot line out of place, it's an interesting plotline and it did increase the stakes for the Joes, as well as heighten their cause where they're not just fighting to preserve and protect our American way of life but now all of humanity.
I do like the new ensemble characters who have some of the best voice casting. Like the main villain is voiced well by Burgess Meridith, who was always good at playing both good and bad guys. He plays an overlord archetype, but he does it well as that gravely voice of his just adds to his menace. He's not just all talk as he really can be a tough opponent to go fist a cuffs on.
Sgt Slaughter who plays himself; yeah, I'm a wresting fan and I've seen WWF back then, so I know who he is. Seeing him in this film I thought was awesome, kind of a dream come true as he was one of my favorite wrestlers. But is also fitting and makes sense considering his character is a drill sergeant. Really love his voice as its all-around toughness and from his mannerism you really don't want to get on his ugly side. But to me what really makes the character isn't just that's he's Hella strong to beat up all the badies but that he has a strong sense of integrity and honor, as he clearly believes and enforces the army ranger code of leaving no man behind in one famous quote of his "we all go home or no one goes home" I've believed that when I was a kid and I still do.
Jinx is an awesome edition and a welcome one as she was only in the comic book series. Her character is hot, looked good in that red ninja outfit. Ahem, anyway but she's the persona and moves to boot. One thing I like is that she's true to her name as she actually is the luckiest person on earth, but doesn't entirely know it but I'll just say when badies or even plain jerks cross her, their about to have an unlucky day.
Lt. Falcon whom I like, and I feel is a character under the radar in the series. Of course, he's voiced well by Don Johnson which I thought was cool as "Miami Vice" as a kid is one of my favorite TV shows of all time. So, it was a dream come true hearing his voice in one of my favorite animated shows and kind of fitting. It's true that his character isn't perfect and that's the point as Falcon is the hot-headed rookie that has a ways to go.
Deep down the guy really does want to be a good soldier, the problem is he's not following though. This is kind of reflected in his interaction with Jinx as he doesn't feel more for her but isn't following through on his feeling. Really like his arc as it' s pretty much the coming-of-age arc, we see he's learning the hard way that he must make things happen, take charge and follow through because you may not get a second chance.
I liked the back and forth between both Falcon and Jinx who are kind of the new power couple in G. I. Joe or at least the would be kind, had we had that third season to the series from Sunbow, or if we get a comic series from "Image". Both are decent as you get a good feel for both, though this is the other misfire of the film as both don't have enough scenes together to explore more about them but due to the running time of the film it couldn't be helped.
Really like the animation in the film which is about the same as you see from the TV show which is fine by me as I wouldn't want it any other way. But as we see there are some refined improvements, that make the animation look up to date almost looks as though it could of easily of transcended to the 90's. Like the background and most of the Cobra La features were cool and proves that an animated film or series based on Clive Barker's works could be done.
The action is solid, it's the kind you'd expect from G. I. Joe but from the film you can see they've gone the extra mile, as it looks a lot more violent and sharper. And of course, there is the music, where they have some of the same tunes from the show but also new tunes. Of course, my favorite is the theme song which is one of my favorite theme songs of all time and is my favorite theme from the "G. I. Joe" series. That intro to the film is just awesome, that is one of the best ways to start a movie as it just puts you in the action immediately, but also a way to help introduce newcomers to what kind of a series their about to watch. Trying to describe it wouldn't do it justice as it's something you must see for yourself.
It would be cool if there was a separate comic series called "G. I. Joe 87" where we would see a continuation where the film left off and what's happened with both the new and old characters. With the recent Energon Universe comics from "Image" it's possible if they stay on target. Better yet, I'd love to see a series of animated films on the Hasbro company, do the same thing that DC Animation does where they release a film/s based on their properties each year. They can all go any direction they want, be interconnected series, mini-series, or just stand-alone stories. From some of the upcoming live action films on their way (hopefully won't suck) why not; as I say time and time again their thoughts to consider.
Overall, this film despite not quite what I had in mind, was a solid conclusion to the franchise for now anyway. It's one of those polarizing movies but as you can see, I'm on the side that likes it, though as a fan of "G. I. Joe" we can do better. Nevertheless, if you're a G. I. Joe fan or just a casual watcher of animation it's worth a shot at least, whether you like it or not, take it or leave it I'll leave that up to you; and knowing that is half the battle.
Rating: 3 stars.
Alright before we get down to business it's time to clear out the misfires. Yeah, one of those misfires was the plotline itself, which I'll admit felt completely out of place. I know that back then animated shows back then didn't have any too many rules, but here they might have gone a step too far. It felt like a plotline that belonged in Hasbro's other franchises like "Inhumanoids" or even "Conan the Adventurer" which would have made a lot more sense; though that couldn't happen as both never got a animated film (hopefully if the franchises are somehow revived it will).
Don't really like that most of the characters of Cobra automatically cooperate with the force Cobra La; especially characters Destro and Baroness which I thought was completely out of character on their part as both would never do this. Can't help but feel an opportunity was missed on this, where you could have had Destro, Baroness, and other Cobra characters that aren't on board with Cobra La, team up with G. I. Joe to fight with them. Since this film was a send-off for the series why not, in a way this could have been a final hurrah seeing beloved characters from both sides engaged in one more final fight; damn what a shame.
The other is the film has too many characters, which is why for fans of the show you'll be sorely disappointed as most beloved characters don't get much screen time or are reduced to cameo appearances as the focus is more on the new characters. But due to the length of the film and story it just couldn't be helped.
However, I feel the real reason this film didn't make much of a hit on the silver screen was just being another victim of bad timing, as this film came out just when the "G. I. Joe" franchise was running its course. Granted it did continue from the early 90's but it didn't work just didn't fire on the same caliber and fans like myself were simply ready to move on and take a rest from the series for now anyway.
Despite the films misfires it does have its hits which to me is where the film counts the most. As I said despite a plot line out of place, it's an interesting plotline and it did increase the stakes for the Joes, as well as heighten their cause where they're not just fighting to preserve and protect our American way of life but now all of humanity.
I do like the new ensemble characters who have some of the best voice casting. Like the main villain is voiced well by Burgess Meridith, who was always good at playing both good and bad guys. He plays an overlord archetype, but he does it well as that gravely voice of his just adds to his menace. He's not just all talk as he really can be a tough opponent to go fist a cuffs on.
Sgt Slaughter who plays himself; yeah, I'm a wresting fan and I've seen WWF back then, so I know who he is. Seeing him in this film I thought was awesome, kind of a dream come true as he was one of my favorite wrestlers. But is also fitting and makes sense considering his character is a drill sergeant. Really love his voice as its all-around toughness and from his mannerism you really don't want to get on his ugly side. But to me what really makes the character isn't just that's he's Hella strong to beat up all the badies but that he has a strong sense of integrity and honor, as he clearly believes and enforces the army ranger code of leaving no man behind in one famous quote of his "we all go home or no one goes home" I've believed that when I was a kid and I still do.
Jinx is an awesome edition and a welcome one as she was only in the comic book series. Her character is hot, looked good in that red ninja outfit. Ahem, anyway but she's the persona and moves to boot. One thing I like is that she's true to her name as she actually is the luckiest person on earth, but doesn't entirely know it but I'll just say when badies or even plain jerks cross her, their about to have an unlucky day.
Lt. Falcon whom I like, and I feel is a character under the radar in the series. Of course, he's voiced well by Don Johnson which I thought was cool as "Miami Vice" as a kid is one of my favorite TV shows of all time. So, it was a dream come true hearing his voice in one of my favorite animated shows and kind of fitting. It's true that his character isn't perfect and that's the point as Falcon is the hot-headed rookie that has a ways to go.
Deep down the guy really does want to be a good soldier, the problem is he's not following though. This is kind of reflected in his interaction with Jinx as he doesn't feel more for her but isn't following through on his feeling. Really like his arc as it' s pretty much the coming-of-age arc, we see he's learning the hard way that he must make things happen, take charge and follow through because you may not get a second chance.
I liked the back and forth between both Falcon and Jinx who are kind of the new power couple in G. I. Joe or at least the would be kind, had we had that third season to the series from Sunbow, or if we get a comic series from "Image". Both are decent as you get a good feel for both, though this is the other misfire of the film as both don't have enough scenes together to explore more about them but due to the running time of the film it couldn't be helped.
Really like the animation in the film which is about the same as you see from the TV show which is fine by me as I wouldn't want it any other way. But as we see there are some refined improvements, that make the animation look up to date almost looks as though it could of easily of transcended to the 90's. Like the background and most of the Cobra La features were cool and proves that an animated film or series based on Clive Barker's works could be done.
The action is solid, it's the kind you'd expect from G. I. Joe but from the film you can see they've gone the extra mile, as it looks a lot more violent and sharper. And of course, there is the music, where they have some of the same tunes from the show but also new tunes. Of course, my favorite is the theme song which is one of my favorite theme songs of all time and is my favorite theme from the "G. I. Joe" series. That intro to the film is just awesome, that is one of the best ways to start a movie as it just puts you in the action immediately, but also a way to help introduce newcomers to what kind of a series their about to watch. Trying to describe it wouldn't do it justice as it's something you must see for yourself.
It would be cool if there was a separate comic series called "G. I. Joe 87" where we would see a continuation where the film left off and what's happened with both the new and old characters. With the recent Energon Universe comics from "Image" it's possible if they stay on target. Better yet, I'd love to see a series of animated films on the Hasbro company, do the same thing that DC Animation does where they release a film/s based on their properties each year. They can all go any direction they want, be interconnected series, mini-series, or just stand-alone stories. From some of the upcoming live action films on their way (hopefully won't suck) why not; as I say time and time again their thoughts to consider.
Overall, this film despite not quite what I had in mind, was a solid conclusion to the franchise for now anyway. It's one of those polarizing movies but as you can see, I'm on the side that likes it, though as a fan of "G. I. Joe" we can do better. Nevertheless, if you're a G. I. Joe fan or just a casual watcher of animation it's worth a shot at least, whether you like it or not, take it or leave it I'll leave that up to you; and knowing that is half the battle.
Rating: 3 stars.