G.I.Joe

Some things are a first for me. Even almost a year in IndieGala. The G.I.Joe franchise is one of those firsts (in this post anyway), and over here I stay clear from my usual dose of zombies, vampires and mutants. And I couldn’t be happier. Sure writing about Lady Dimitrescu was fun. But it’s always good to find new games, new movies and new actors to talk about. So, with that in mind… I’m here about two separate projects. First and foremost, about G.I. Joe: Operation Blackout. And secondly about G.I.Joe: Rise Of Cobra. But I’ll get to him in a second. First, allow me to introduce G.I. Joe: Operation Blackout.

G.I.Joe

What’s G.I. Joe: Operation Blackout All About?

Developed by IguanaBee, Fair Play Labs and published by Plug In Digital, G.I. Joe: Operation Blackout is a third-person shooter video game. That’s based on Hasbro’s G.I. Joe toy-line of course. But it’s also the first G.I. Joe console game since 2009’s G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra. And yes, it’s currently on sale here at IndieGala. However, that sale is not going to last that much further and you’d better hurry up.

And what’s the game all about you might ask? During an attack on the USS Flagg, Cobra has managed to take over the world. By creating a device called the Blackout Sphere, which knocked out all electrical equipment across the globe. And claimed Cobra’s victory known as “C-Day”. Now the Joes are being hunted down by Cobra. And must figure out where their leader Duke is being held. Furthermore, they need to find the other teammates and take back the world from Cobra’s clutches.

But here are some of the Steam user comments:

-IT’S GREAT! I am having a blast with it. you get to play as both sides during the campaign. looks great. runs great. just a lotta fun. – according to gordoIsMyName.

So it must be known that I am part of enemy group Cobra so people see I am transparent. This is a fantastic short game. Simple story and just great casual fun. I would highly recommend if you want a simple game to just relax to and see what cartoons in the 80s felt like. – adds Fumin9.

And How About G.I.Joe: Rise Of Cobra?

Well, I must admit, the only G.I.Joe movie I’ve ever seen (before the making of this post) is the 2013 movie sequel. G.I. Joe: Retaliation with The Rock in the lead role. So this past weekend I indulged in some mindless action-packed fun and yeah. It was worth it. I finally watched G.I.Joe: Rise Of Cobra.

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Rise Of Cobra

And in The Cobra, Christopher Eccleston is James McCullen / Destro. An arms dealer who attempts to steal his very own weapons from NATO. The organization that he first sold them to. The Baroness (Sienna Miller) is part of his mission, and so is her brother Rex Lewis / The Doctor (Joseph Gordon Levitt). Oh and Thomas Arashikage / Storm Shadow (Byung-hun Lee). Snake Eye’s long-time rival and arch-nemesis. However, Duke and Ripcord (Channing Tatum and Marlon Wayans) two of NATO’s soldiers will get a helping hand from the Baroness’s wrath. And thus they will enter the G.I. Joe’s Team. An elite group of soldiers led by General Clayton Abernathy / Hawk (Dennis Quaid). They must protect the nanotech-based weapon and not let them fall into the hands of Cobra’s team.

G.I.Joe: Rise Of Cobra: Shallow And Mindless Action?

Sure it has plenty of that. And shallowness as well. But, I suppose it’s what you can expect from a Stephen Sommers movie. And when analyzing the final product, sure I’ll be the first to admit… The movie could have been better. But for what it is, it’s perfectly enjoyable, and yes predictable corny movie. Much like the toy line that started the entire franchise.

But let’s attempt to find a silver lining in Stephen Sommers’s action flick. The presence of several fine actors just won’t let you look deep into the non-existing plot. And it is a non-excising plot. The motivations of Destro are not entirely clear, but so is the case of every villain’s decision.

Good Actors And Good Director

I’ll get to Mr. Sommers in a sec, but there’s no denying that the movie isn’t bursting with great actors. I’ll put Sienna Miller, Marlon Wayans and Channing Tatum here first. As I think that these three are having a blast in G.I.Joe: Rise Of Cobra. Especially Sienna Miller who I think relished in playing a morally ambiguous character. A character that shifts his loyalty and allegiances in the blink of an eye. And a character that’s not always in period piece costumes.

G.I.Joe

Eccleston seems uninspired and stiff. But I’d love to see more from Joseph Gordon Levitt’s The Doctor character, and from Dennis Quaid’s Hawk character. I feel that these two characters (and with them the two fine actors) deserved more. A lot more. Screen time, characterization sure. And overall depth too. But I’m afraid depth is nowhere to be found for any of the other aspects of the movie. So why would I expect to find it in the characters?

Sommers Tries His Best To Keep You Entertained

Well, yeah. He’s great in the action/adventure genres. Just take a look at some of his previous works. Deep Rising, The Mummy Trilogy are some of his best works. Sommers tries to work its magic here with the limited choices given in the script. And for the most part, he succeeds. In the action scenes, he excels I might add. But the poor CGI there is kinda holding back on his efforts. And that struggle between Sommer’s direction and the bad CGI is most evident in the big set pieces scenes. The Paris scenes are most baffling but at the same time fun. Just don’t try to search for any meaning there. And you’ll be fine.

Don’t Take It Too Seriously

I think that should be the motto or a tagline of this movie. It’s a perfect mantra for you to enjoy Rise Of Cobra without going into the why’s and who’s of the movie. A movie like Rise Of Cobra should be enjoyed superficially and mindlessly because that’s what it is. A mindless superficial action-adventure of a movie with lots of cliché lines. And even more cliché characters. They barely have any development or memorability to them, but if you’re not a stickler about these things. Who knows you might enjoy it. Oh and some good actors. The movie has them too. Take your pick on your favorite and try to enjoy with what’s you’re given.

Are You A Fan Of The G.I.Joe Franchise?

Let us know in the comment section. And if you’re a fan of the movie and the video game too. G.I.Joe: Operation Blackout VS G.I. Joe: Rise Of Cobra. Which one is your pick? Let us know in the comment section. We’d love to know.

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