The Real American Hero

February 25, 2003 | Wayne

This post was written by guest author, The One and Only Wayne.

Working at a video store, I have the pleasure of having available to me many movies that I fondly remember from my youth. The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The Transformers. Howard the Duck. With many of these now being released on DVD with added features and 5.1 audio, this truly is the “Golden Age of Radio,” except without the “radio” part.

This past week I decided that I’m going to watch as many old movies as possible, completely ignoring new releases and thereby eliminating any reason to talk to customers. First on my list was G.I. Joe: The Movie. First off, let me encourage anyone who has not seen this wonderful example of American animation (I think it was animated in Korea or something) to please do so immediately. To miss it would be to miss the self-proclaimed “most exciting movie of all
time.”

There. I might as well stop typing now, because I’m sure that all of you have rushed to the Family section your local Blockbuster and picked this up.

Huh? Still reading, are you?

Well then, what if I mention that G.I. Joe features some fantastic “actors” starring as voice talent. First off, there’s Don Johnson of “Miami Vice” fame as the young, rebellious Lt. Falcon. In the role of Golobulus (?), the evil snake thing, we have veteran actor Burgess Meredith, who some may remember as Mick from the Rocky series of films. Last, but not least, there’s former wrestler Sergeant Slaughter as the voice of himself, except that he’s an actual drill sergeant and not a wrestler.

Okay, so surely now you are all rushing to Rhino.com to purchase this. I’ll wait.

Still here?

Fine then, what if I told you that all of your favorite characters from the television series are here too, like Roadblock, Duke, Flint, Snake Eyes, Shipwreck, and Leatherneck, all taking part in stopping an enemy far more dangerous than Cobra Commander. The sound effects and hard-rocking theme song sound wonderful for a 15 year-old movie and the animation, though as choppy as most other cartoons of the day, has a clean look to it, making it look much newer. Better yet, all of the original public service announcements are included. I now know how to stop a nosebleed and how to tread water if I fall off a cliff. Every one of these made me giggle aloud.

Overall, of the animated features about secret government organizations defending freedom from a terrorist organization, this is one of the best. Especially if you are, or were, a fan of the series.

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guests, movies, reviews, Wayne