Comments on: Canon fodder http://www.comingoutofthebasement.com/?p=243 Geekery abounds. Mon, 14 Jun 2010 04:25:18 +0000 hourly 1 By: Kurt http://www.comingoutofthebasement.com/?p=243&cpage=1#comment-115 Kurt Wed, 22 Apr 2009 18:36:04 +0000 http://www.comingoutofthebasement.com/?p=243#comment-115 As Ivy said, Hasbro is free to do what they want with GI Joe toys, but I am free to vilify them for destroying a favored childhood memory. Cobra Commander was always a buffoonish Hitler, and to make him look like (per Mike's astute observation) a metrosexual version of Jason X is greatly altering the character to the point where he is unrecognizable. He no longer connects with my memories, thus my urge to see the film has diminished greatly. From a pure financial point of view, this is a Bad Thing for the studio. When creators meddle with a popular property, they should keep in mind that it was the original characteristics of that property that made it popular in the first place. Inexplicable change is not good if it alienates fans without adding value (Lucas, I'm looking at you - Han shot first, damn it). As Ivy said, Hasbro is free to do what they want with GI Joe toys, but I am free to vilify them for destroying a favored childhood memory. Cobra Commander was always a buffoonish Hitler, and to make him look like (per Mike’s astute observation) a metrosexual version of Jason X is greatly altering the character to the point where he is unrecognizable. He no longer connects with my memories, thus my urge to see the film has diminished greatly. From a pure financial point of view, this is a Bad Thing for the studio.

When creators meddle with a popular property, they should keep in mind that it was the original characteristics of that property that made it popular in the first place. Inexplicable change is not good if it alienates fans without adding value (Lucas, I’m looking at you – Han shot first, damn it).

]]> By: Ivy http://www.comingoutofthebasement.com/?p=243&cpage=1#comment-105 Ivy Wed, 22 Apr 2009 03:01:55 +0000 http://www.comingoutofthebasement.com/?p=243#comment-105 A) Jimmy Buffett may well do what he likes with <i>Margaritaville</i> as it is in fact his song. I, however, am free to vilify it. B) <i>Star Trek</i>, however, does NOT belong to J. J. Abrams, and if he can't even be bothered to watch some key episodes and/or have someone who knows and cares about the series to vet his decisions, he can kiss my Trekker ass. Leonard Nimoy should have been the director. A) Jimmy Buffett may well do what he likes with Margaritaville as it is in fact his song. I, however, am free to vilify it.

B) Star Trek, however, does NOT belong to J. J. Abrams, and if he can’t even be bothered to watch some key episodes and/or have someone who knows and cares about the series to vet his decisions, he can kiss my Trekker ass.

Leonard Nimoy should have been the director.

]]> By: sam http://www.comingoutofthebasement.com/?p=243&cpage=1#comment-95 sam Tue, 21 Apr 2009 15:57:52 +0000 http://www.comingoutofthebasement.com/?p=243#comment-95 I never liked Lady Jay for some reason. I'm basing my argument purely on who's making the movie and the stuff that's been released to date. It's a movie about GI Joe. Why would Sommers bother with the origins of C.O.B.R.A. when he's probably shooting for a 90 minute piece of ass that can quickly recoup the money he blew on CGI before word of mouth kills it? I never liked Lady Jay for some reason.

I’m basing my argument purely on who’s making the movie and the stuff that’s been released to date. It’s a movie about GI Joe. Why would Sommers bother with the origins of C.O.B.R.A. when he’s probably shooting for a 90 minute piece of ass that can quickly recoup the money he blew on CGI before word of mouth kills it?

]]> By: Enrique G http://www.comingoutofthebasement.com/?p=243&cpage=1#comment-94 Enrique G Tue, 21 Apr 2009 14:17:58 +0000 http://www.comingoutofthebasement.com/?p=243#comment-94 I love how you label CC not having his mask on not being part of the story or trying to assign motive without having seen the movie, and presumably not having read the screenplay. And people say I'm a pretentious film snob :-). You conceive of only one possible motivation for the possible lack of a mask (i.e. formation of COBRA), when there are a multitude of possibilities, including some which can involve the pre-existence of COBRA before whatever happens that leads to the mutilation and requirement of the mask. "There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio..." As I said, I've got zero faith in Sommers, so I'm in your camp on the point that subtlety where the mask is involved is about as likely as my winning the lottery. That said, it is possible they could get it right. Hell, it might be the ONLY thing they get right. Unless they get some excuse for a nude scene with Scarlett in the movie. That would be oh so right. Particularly if it involves her in a shower with Lady Jay.... I love how you label CC not having his mask on not being part of the story or trying to assign motive without having seen the movie, and presumably not having read the screenplay. And people say I’m a pretentious film snob :-).

You conceive of only one possible motivation for the possible lack of a mask (i.e. formation of COBRA), when there are a multitude of possibilities, including some which can involve the pre-existence of COBRA before whatever happens that leads to the mutilation and requirement of the mask. “There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio…” As I said, I’ve got zero faith in Sommers, so I’m in your camp on the point that subtlety where the mask is involved is about as likely as my winning the lottery. That said, it is possible they could get it right. Hell, it might be the ONLY thing they get right.

Unless they get some excuse for a nude scene with Scarlett in the movie. That would be oh so right.

Particularly if it involves her in a shower with Lady Jay….

]]> By: sam http://www.comingoutofthebasement.com/?p=243&cpage=1#comment-93 sam Tue, 21 Apr 2009 12:58:11 +0000 http://www.comingoutofthebasement.com/?p=243#comment-93 Context is key... Vader taking off his mask? part of the story. Cobra Commander showing his face in the reboot of GI Joe? not so much. If they try to make it part of the story, they will be trying to assign motive to the formation of C.O.B.R.A... which seems a little silly given the movie's director. Context is key… Vader taking off his mask? part of the story.
Cobra Commander showing his face in the reboot of GI Joe? not so much. If they try to make it part of the story, they will be trying to assign motive to the formation of C.O.B.R.A… which seems a little silly given the movie’s director.

]]> By: Enrique G http://www.comingoutofthebasement.com/?p=243&cpage=1#comment-92 Enrique G Tue, 21 Apr 2009 12:35:34 +0000 http://www.comingoutofthebasement.com/?p=243#comment-92 Good point. A more tag has been added. As to the mask, you don't know for sure if it's clear in the film. Hell, it'll probably be CG in the movie. But as to seeing the man behind the mask? Eh...they did it with Vader in Jedi and I didn't have a problem with it. Good point. A more tag has been added.

As to the mask, you don’t know for sure if it’s clear in the film. Hell, it’ll probably be CG in the movie. But as to seeing the man behind the mask? Eh…they did it with Vader in Jedi and I didn’t have a problem with it.

]]> By: sam http://www.comingoutofthebasement.com/?p=243&cpage=1#comment-88 sam Tue, 21 Apr 2009 04:30:28 +0000 http://www.comingoutofthebasement.com/?p=243#comment-88 Ok.. aside from the last season or so of the GI Joe cartoon where Cobra Commander became a weird Snake-Man thingie, there were some things about the show I always liked... Scarlett : Always hot Cobra Commander: You never ever ever ever ever ever got to see his face under any conditions. Knowing Is Half The Battle: Those PSAs were cool. (and they let me know it was time for Spiderman to come on next) So slapping a clear mask on the mutilated face of Cobra Commander? That violates one of the three things that made the show special in my mind. It's like seeing the face of Dr. Claw! You just don't do that! Also? This was a good post on your part, but it's in desperate need of a "More" line after the 2nd or 3rd paragraph. Ok.. aside from the last season or so of the GI Joe cartoon where Cobra Commander became a weird Snake-Man thingie, there were some things about the show I always liked…

Scarlett : Always hot
Cobra Commander: You never ever ever ever ever ever got to see his face under any conditions.
Knowing Is Half The Battle: Those PSAs were cool. (and they let me know it was time for Spiderman to come on next)

So slapping a clear mask on the mutilated face of Cobra Commander? That violates one of the three things that made the show special in my mind.
It’s like seeing the face of Dr. Claw! You just don’t do that!

Also? This was a good post on your part, but it’s in desperate need of a “More” line after the 2nd or 3rd paragraph.

]]> By: Michael http://www.comingoutofthebasement.com/?p=243&cpage=1#comment-85 Michael Tue, 21 Apr 2009 02:27:01 +0000 http://www.comingoutofthebasement.com/?p=243#comment-85 dude, you forgot where the final GI Joe cartoon turned Cobra Commander into an ancient snake man from a prehistoric kingdom of alien mutant demons.... ....totally badass...or just bad...or badass...wait, maybe that's where Lucas got his concept for Crystal Skull? dude, you forgot where the final GI Joe cartoon turned Cobra Commander into an ancient snake man from a prehistoric kingdom of alien mutant demons….
….totally badass…or just bad…or badass…wait, maybe that’s where Lucas got his concept for Crystal Skull?

]]> By: Canon to the right of them, canon to the left… : The Blue Parrot http://www.comingoutofthebasement.com/?p=243&cpage=1#comment-83 Canon to the right of them, canon to the left… : The Blue Parrot Tue, 21 Apr 2009 02:16:41 +0000 http://www.comingoutofthebasement.com/?p=243#comment-83 [...] latest post is up at the Charge of the Geek Brigade.  [...] [...] latest post is up at the Charge of the Geek Brigade.  [...]

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