Meet At ‘Joe’s
So … last night David and I were invited to attend the Hollywood premiere screening of G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra and we HAPPILY made our way to Grauman’s Chinese Theater on Hollywood Blvd. for the event. Ever since it was first announced last year that G.I. Joe was headed for the big screen I was ANXIOUSLY awaiting its release. I’ve been a HUGE G.I. Joe fan since I was a young child. My best friend in Elementary and Junior High School, Jeff Fuhrman, and I used to pay G.I. Joes together and would pretend to be characters from the cartoon all the time (particularly when we were learning how to swim in 6th grade, we were both very scared of the huge diving platform but pretended to be brave Joes when we had to take the plunge). I loved collecting the G.I. Joes from the 80’s (ie. the small action figures) rather than the larger, Barbie-sized dolls from the 60’s and 70’s (tho I do have an anniversary edition Cobra Commander action figure that is on the larger size) … but I’m digressing. I’ll admit, the first commercial for the movie that we saw on SuperBowl Sunday earlier this year had me worried … then there was all that bad buzz … but I can ASSURE you — the movie is really freakin’ fun!
From the first peek at Joseph Gordon-Levitt as The Doctor/Cobra Commander, I had hope that the final product would be as cool as the cartoon was and I am SO RELIVED that the movie turned out so well. Let me be clear here, G.I. Joe is LIGHT YEARS better than Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. I’m convinced that fans of the cartoon will love the movie version … which is basically a cartoon come to life. The colors are vibrant and bold and really make it feel like a real-life cartoon. The FX are STUNNING. This movie was made by Paramount, the same studio who did the Star Trek movie … they know FX. I believe it cost $175 million to make this film and it shows … they did not skimp on the CGI, I just loved all of the battle/action scenes. Let me address the “robot suits” used in the film that everyone seems to hate. To be honest, the suits are just G.I. Joe versions of the Iron Man suit … it worked in that movie and it works in this movie, too. Plus they are only used in one action sequence … but really, all of the action sequences are amazing! Three key sayings from the original cartoon are used in the movie and very adeptly, I might add. Be on the listen out for the classic G.I. Joe phrases — A real American hero, Knowing is half the battle and “life-like hair and Kung-Fu grip” (which was the way the action figures were described on the packaging). There are a few G.I. Joe cameos which I don’t want to spoil … but wait ’til you see who plays Gung Ho ;) I also loved how multicultural and gender friendly the film is … the Joes and Cobras are made up of many races and the women are not treated as weak characters. Sienna Miller’s Baroness is BAD ASS! In all honesty, she was my fave character (tho Storm Shadow comes in a close second). Channing Tatum has a shirtless scene … people, what more could you want?
There are a few things that I didn’t like but they are so marginal, they don’t really detract from the movie overall. Marlon Wayans (Ripcord) is the weakest character in the film. He does the comedy relief but mostly, I just wished he’d shut up. I REALLY didn’t like what they did to Cover Girl … you’ll know what I mean when you see it but I was all WTF??? That part didn’t make any sense to me at all. I didn’t really like the connection between Duke and The Baroness (but I did like the connection between The Doctor and The Baroness). She is a purely evil character and should stay that way. Snake Eyes never speaks, we all know this, so why does his costume have lips? It’s freaky … I could do without the lips.
I did like many of the changes to the story that have been added for the movie … the familial connections between characters, the revelation that the Baroness’s last name is de Cobray and the explanation on how Zartan is able to be a true master of disguise. Seriously, I could go on and on. I had A BLAST last night … I cannot wait to see the movie again. I’m just so happy that one of my fave childhood cartoons was turned into a very entertaining movie. GO SEE IT. I’m pretty sure you’ll love it. I loved it a lot. The ending was BRILLS!!!!!! See it and then lemme know what you think.
Here are some of the pics that I snapped at the premiere on our way in:
After the jump, check out the pics I snapped at the after party — you have to see who I got to meet …
Channing was SUCH a sweetie, it’s always nice running into him. It’s even nicer when he puts those big arms around me ;) I was totally charmed by Sienna Miller … she looked AMAZING in person. I told her I was married and we got along famously ;) I keed … but I did tell her how much I loved her as The Baroness and she blew me kisses. She was sweet.
I have to give a shoutout and much love to DJ Bizzy, who djed the party and hails from Detroit Rock City (by way of Philly) along with my girl Charlie Pinto who always takes such great care of me at Paramount events:
We had SO MUCH FUN. I’m just so happy that the movie turned out so well, I want to tell everyone. Don’t believe the hate, go see it for yourselves. It’s outrageously over-the-top and fun as hell … it’s just what you’d expect from a cartoon come to life.
This afternoon, I fly back home to Detroit for a couple of days so I’ll be comin’ atcha from the Midwest tomorrow and Sunday … have a great weekend! And please, lemme know what you think of G.I. Joe ;)
Tags: 'G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra', Channing Tatum, DJ Bizzy, Sienna Miller
RSS
Feedburner
August 7th, 2009 at 10:34 am
so im beyond jealous of the pic of you and Channing!
i cant wait to see this movie, im super excited!
August 7th, 2009 at 10:37 am
Way jealous! It actually comes out tody in J.A, so I’m watching it Monday! And you have got me even more excited!!!!<3
August 7th, 2009 at 10:57 am
Ok I’m going to take your advice Trent. I want to see thins. I thought you might have been too hard on Funny People and saw it anyway, fail.
I was not going to see GI Joe but now it is on!
August 7th, 2009 at 10:57 am
*this
August 7th, 2009 at 10:58 am
over done film. the CGI, SFX, and music – over done.
horrible writing, horrible acting.
.
accelerator suits… underwater fortress… really? embarrassing. the CGI was comical. nowhere near terminator, harry potter, transformers, star trek, wolverine (which had horrible CGI also). i think dragonball: evolution and g-force might have had better CGI.
.
the fact they didn’t show this film show this film to critics should tell you something. stay away, don’t waste you money. watch it online, if you have time to kill.
August 7th, 2009 at 10:58 am
I always wondered what it would be like to go to one of these things and meet all of the famous people and see what they are really like. You are so lucky Trent!
August 7th, 2009 at 11:20 am
OH MY GOD you DID make out w/Channing for me! *swoon*
August 7th, 2009 at 11:22 am
Are you coming in to town for Dearborn Homecoming? The Allen Park Street Fair? Rick Springfield is at Homecoming tomorrow night. I can’t go – throwing my mom a big birthday bash in Canada.
Have a great De-Troit weekend!
August 7th, 2009 at 11:28 am
@i n f a m o u s l y c o o l — That you would even mention shitty Wolverine as a better film is funny, that movie’s cgi was crap. Yes there are over the top plot devices but the fil is based on a cartoon! Lol, if you’re lookin for realism you’re gonna be disappointed. The suits were kinda cool, just like the Iron Man suit they’re based on. Like all movies, taste is subjective but I honestly feel GI Joe is better than a lot of the big cgi movies that came out this year.
August 7th, 2009 at 11:54 am
Trent – LOL.. i think if the movie was a little more realistic it would of been better. they’re g. joes, not superpower heroes. the Iron Man-like suits would be cool.. in an Iron Man movie. LOL.. i don’t wanna see anyone else wearing an accelerator suit but tony stark, sorry.
.
all of those other big cgi movies that came out this year all had more buzz (a LOT more) than this.
.
ugh, maybe i just think any movie that would cast Marlon Wayans sucks. same goes with Sienna “who?” Miller. LOL..
August 7th, 2009 at 12:31 pm
[...] See the rest here: Meet At ‘Joe’s [...]
August 7th, 2009 at 12:58 pm
Arr! Bring me with you next time you go to one of these soirees, lol.
August 7th, 2009 at 1:50 pm
let me tell you I am a huge joe fan – I;ve read all the comics, watched all the cartoons ( Still love the Cobralalalalalas), toys…that being said I thought this film was fucking awesome. I wasn’t expecting much after seeing how horrible the tranformers was. I can’t wait for the second film. I never cared for Siena Miller before but I found myself getting pretty worked up by her and Scarlett. ———-but I have a question for trent !!! You refered to being suprised by the actor who played Gung-ho – but I thought he was suppose to be Flint, Did they ever say his name? Thank God Jinx was in there !!!
August 7th, 2009 at 2:38 pm
someone needs a serious haircut
August 7th, 2009 at 3:24 pm
i went to see it today.it was awesome i especially loved dennis quaid he always does a good job.sienna’s hair seemed a bit odd in certain scenes but the rest of it was great.you could tell they spent alot of money.i can’t wait for a sequel.the photos of you with channing and sienna look good your so lucky.thanks for posting
August 7th, 2009 at 3:56 pm
Saw it today and LOVED it! :) JGL is an amazing actor.
August 7th, 2009 at 4:08 pm
SO jealous.
(sienna miller looks like audrina partridge in the first photo.)
August 7th, 2009 at 6:28 pm
Get. Real. The movie was HORRIBLE. The acting was…subpar at best. Out of a $175 million budget, they must have paid in the low one figure for someone to “write” that script. Thankfully, I don’t have to pretend to like it since I wasn’t invited to the premiere and schmoozed by the stars. I love me some Channing Tatum, but I’ve seen better acting chops from The Power Rangers. WORST movie I have seen all summer. I saw it for free and still wish I could ask for my money back.
August 7th, 2009 at 6:43 pm
I agree with Justin as I saw this movie with him. It. Was. Dreadful! I really tried to get into the movie, but within the first 30 minutes, I was ready to leave. I know movies like this are meant to be cheesy (i.e. Transformers, Wolverine, etc)…..but this one was over the top. Seriously. Even more shirtless Channing scenes could not have saved this movie.
August 7th, 2009 at 9:08 pm
trent, your movie reviews are really, really off the mark…
August 7th, 2009 at 11:17 pm
TRENT.
Speaking of Joseph Gordon Levitt,
see “500 Days of Summer”
it was amazing.
Good night :)
August 8th, 2009 at 6:38 am
@spencer — According to …?
August 8th, 2009 at 6:40 am
@Justin — LOL! I don’t have to pretend to like things, either I do or I don’t. The movie is run, I loved it, the end :)
August 8th, 2009 at 6:43 am
@la princesa — It’s fun, right? The actions scenes are the best, so ridic fun.
August 8th, 2009 at 6:44 am
@nisha — Oh yeah, Dennis Quaid! To be honest, he’s in it so marginally I kinda forgot about him. There’s so much going on plus, I was totally distracted by Channing ;)
August 8th, 2009 at 10:16 am
not to sound too critical about it, but it really wasnt a good movie. i wished i hadnt forked out any money to watch it):
August 8th, 2009 at 8:17 pm
Just cause you guys dont agree with trent, don’t mean he is off mark, nor does it mean he pretended to like the movie.
I always agree with Trent’s movie reviews, so I only watched it cause he said it was good. Before he said that, I had no desire to see it.
I am glad I watched it, it was good. The acting wasn’t the best, the writing wasn’t awesome. BUT it was an overall good movie. It entertained me, so it did it’s money worth to me.
August 9th, 2009 at 6:45 am
gotta admit the movie wasn’t very good. the cinematography for the start was really quite bad. special effects weren’t up to standards too. fortunately though, it got better towards the end so i won’t say it was a flop, but i thought it could have been better.
each to his own tho!
August 21st, 2009 at 10:22 am
Thought the film was FANTASTIC! Definitely agree that the Baroness is the best character in the film.