Monthly Archives: March 2013

Happy Easter from JBL!

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Joebattlelines old school easter

I’ve been cleaning out the old photo archives from the last nine years as I’ve been updating the site recently and stumbled across this gem. It’s for Easter probably back in 2005 or so judging by the figure offerings. Back then JBL was still affiliated with RingofCollectors.com (when RoC still existed) and I was more known by the web handle “Leonardo T Dragon”. (Hey, back in the early days of the internet we ALL had handles of some sort! It was like a high tech CB radio community.)

If you celebrate Easter, then “Happy Easter from JBL!” If you don’t, then let me wish you a happy spring! After all, we’ve got G.I. Joe Retaliation in theatres right now and the 2013 Joe Con is just a few days away.

I can’t think of a better time to be a G.I. Joe fan!

Today is G.I. Joe Retaliation day – G.I. Joe

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It’s time for the final image in Twitziller‘s fantastic “40 Reasons to be Excited for G.I. Joe Retaliation” series with the best reason of them all – G.I. Joe!

g.i. joe retaliation - joe colton

 

Some things just speak for themselves.  When Larry Hama first introduced Joe Colton into the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero title I was floored!  It was the first honest attempt to draw a connection between the world of the 12″ Joes and the Adventure Team and the 1:18 ARAH era.  In a flawless move, Larry gave a name to the 12″ Adventure Team Commander and made him the inspiration for the then-current team.  Brilliant!!!

When Jon M. Chu and his team set out to cast the movie there was one name to which they looked to bring such an iconic character to life: Bruce Willis.  No other American actor today has the presence, cinematic history, and attitude to bring General Colton to life– even if he doesn’t have “life-like hair and beard.”  Bravo, team.  Bravo.

Now we’re at the end— G.I. Joe Retaliation is now in theatres.  So, quit lolly-gagging around looking at your computer and go out and see the movie already!   Yo Joe!!

A HUGE thanks to Twitziller for all of his hard work in crafting these images.  We’ve never met, good sir, but when we do the first brew is on me.

day-40-color
day-39-minitank
day-38-desert-ambush
day-37-flint
day-36-concept-design
day-35-hiss-tank
day-7-roadblock
day-5-motion
day-6-cobra-commander-battle-helmet
day-4-lady-jaye
day-34-zartan
day-33-on-the-run
day-32-cobra-helicopter
day-31-rappelling-assault
day-30-practical-effects
day-29-assault-vtol
day-3-lighting
day-2-battle-kata-gear
day-1-gi-joe
day-28-storm-shadow

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Happy G.I. Joe Retaliation Day!!!

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g.i. joe retaliation flag

That’s right– today is March 28, 2013!  It’s the premiere of G.I. Joe Retaliation!!!!

We’ve waited months for this and now the day has finally arrived.  This weekend fans will flock to see that latest live action adventure of our favorite Real American Hero on the big screen and I have the feeling that they’re going to love it.

The film is currently sitting at 42% over at RottenTomatoes.com with the critics but 82% of audiences have enjoyed it thus far.  I’ve managed to see it twice now (cough FANBOY, cough) and have enjoyed myself both times.  It’s a film that holds up to a repeated viewing rather well.  You can read JBL’s Review of G.I. Joe Retaliation RIGHT HERE as well as other reviews from around the fandom.

My advice– go and see it for yourself.  Get some popcorn, a large drink, and prepare to kick back and relax for next hour and forty minutes as the Joes once again prove themselves to be Real American Heroes!

HAPPY RETALIATION DAY!!!

2 days to G.I. Joe Retaliation – battle kata gear

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Twitziller nears the conclusion of his “40 Reasons to Be Excited for G.I. Joe Retaliation” series with “battle kata gear.”

G.I. Joe Retaliation battle kata gear

Honestly this is a tricky one to write up because it’s not really overtly featured in the film.  The Battle Kata Roadblock figure showcased the full extend of the variable weapons system wielded by Roadblock rather effectively.  It’s a dynamic concept and one that can offer a soldier in combat more options than they can shake a stick at.  Plus, it’s hard not to look at the image above and think just how cool that pistol is.

Check out the rest of Twitziller’s series of images below.  Tomorrow is RETALIATION DAY!!!

day-40-color
day-39-minitank
day-38-desert-ambush
day-37-flint
day-36-concept-design
day-35-hiss-tank
day-7-roadblock
day-5-motion
day-6-cobra-commander-battle-helmet
day-4-lady-jaye
day-34-zartan
day-33-on-the-run
day-32-cobra-helicopter
day-31-rappelling-assault
day-30-practical-effects
day-29-assault-vtol
day-3-lighting
day-2-battle-kata-gear
day-1-gi-joe
day-28-storm-shadow

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G.I. Joe Retaliation reviews from around the Joe community

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G.I. Joe Retaliation March 28

While tomorrow is the official release date, a few theater chains across the US had early screenings of G.I. Joe Retaliation last night and more showings this evening.  With showings come comments and reviews– many from site owners and long-time Joe fans.  In order to give fans a fair picture of the overall community vibe for the movie, I’ve collected Joe site and Joe fan reviews below.  These aren’t from paid media outlets but rather from folks just like you and I.  Just remember, everyone is entitled to their opinion– even if it isn’t necessarily in step with your own.

Note: some of these will contain spoilers to varying degrees.   Read at your own risk.

G.I. Joe Retaliation Reviews:

I’ll add more as I find them.  If you know of a Joe site with a review of the film, toss me a comment below and I’ll add it to the list!

JBL reviews G.I. Joe Retaliation

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G.I Joe Retaliation movie poster

To borrow a phrase from one of the recent Star Trek series “It’s been a long road, getting from there to here.”  Two years since Rise of Cobra and then an unexpected nine month delay before G.I. Joe fans were treated to a second attempt at a big screen franchise of their favorite Real American Heroes.  Nearly three years since G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra tore apart the G.I. Joe fandom and tarnished the image of the once-dominant brand as a kitschy modern day remake of Mega-Force.  This time, however, things appeared to be different.  Director Jon M. Chu, better known for his Justin Bieber documentary, set to direct a script from the talented duo that brought us Zombieland.  Admittedly, all were fans of the incredible comic run by the “godfather of G.I. Joe” Larry Hama and promised a film that was more true to its comic roots than RoC.  However, I’d heard that song and dance before but tonight felt different.  The lights dimmed and I sat with friends in a surprise early birthday celebration organized by my wonderful girlfriend Amanda.  Was this a film to redeem the brand, the fandom, and reignite the enthusiasm of many disheartened fans?

Read on and find out one Joe fan’s opinion…

JBL Reviews G.I. Joe Retaliation  (mostly spoiler-free)

 

Feel free to add your own comments below!

3 days until G.I. Joe Retaliation – Lighting!

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Twitziller counts down the final days to G.I. Joe Retaliation‘s full release in the US with “lighting”!

day 3 - lighting

In film, lighting is one of the myriad tools available to a director to paint a scene.  In the black and white era, it provided a necessary contrast and was used to place subtle emphasis on a particular element.  In G.I. Joe Retaliation, lighting plays a crucial element in framing the scenes.  With action set during the day and the night, how light plays across the various elements will set mood and tone.  Audiences will see how effectively it used in just a few days.

You can view the entire series released thus far below:

day-40-color
day-39-minitank
day-38-desert-ambush
day-37-flint
day-36-concept-design
day-35-hiss-tank
day-7-roadblock
day-5-motion
day-6-cobra-commander-battle-helmet
day-4-lady-jaye
day-34-zartan
day-33-on-the-run
day-32-cobra-helicopter
day-31-rappelling-assault
day-30-practical-effects
day-29-assault-vtol
day-3-lighting
day-2-battle-kata-gear
day-1-gi-joe
day-28-storm-shadow

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JBL Review: G.I. Joe Retaliation Cobra Trooper

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g.i. joe retaliation cobra trooper

 

G.I. Joe Retaliation is hitting theaters nationally as early as Tuesday night.  With that in mind, JBL continues its reviews of the movie line with the Retaliation Cobra Trooper!  While not entirely screen accurate, this figure from the first wave came complete with a removable helmet and a working parachute that hearkens back to the action figures of the 80’s.  However, with wave 3 containing a screen accurate Cobra Trooper in the form of the Cobra Combat Ninja, is this figure worth picking up?

Check out the review in the G.I. Joe Retaliation Review Index and find out one Joe fan’s opinion!

G.I. Joe Retaliation reviews from around the web

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G.I Joe Retaliation movie posterThe reviews for G.I. Joe Retaliation are starting to trickle in online with two new ones dropping this morning.  While I’m desperately trying to remain spoiler-free until I can see it Wednesday night, I’ve been skimming the reviews to see what the reaction has been.  So far, things are VERY favorable with one exception.  (In that instance, the reviewer’s tone seemed to be prejudiced against the film from the get-go.)

Here are the reviews I’ve read thus far.  Varying degrees of spoilers contained within so read at your own risk!

I’ll be posting JBL’s own review (as will every other G.I. Joe site) this week after I’ve had a chance to see it!  In the meantime, keep your eyes peeled to G.I. Joe Retaliation @ RottenTomatoes.com for a full aggregate score!

 

4 days until G.I. Joe Retaliation – Lady Jaye

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Twitziller gives fans the final few reasons to be excited for G.I. Joe Retaliation including Lady Jaye!

G.I. Joe Retaliation Lady Jaye

Lady Jaye became an essentially part of my personal G.I. Joe universe with her first appearance in G.I. Joe: The Revenge of Cobra!  Debuting at the same time as her paramour Flint (as well as Shipwreck, Mutt, etc), the Covert Operations specialist proved herself to be smart, capable, and more than a little sassy!  She was the kind of strong confident female that brands like She-Ra aspired to have.  Whereas the female characters in Rise of Cobra were portrayed in relation to other mail character, G.I. Joe Retaliation shows Lady Jaye as an extremely strong and capable addition to the team.  She’s a qualified marksman as well as a master of covert operations and infiltration and, if the trailers are any indication, Adrianne Palicki brings her to life with the respect the character deserves!

JBL has previously reviewed the G.I. Joe Retaliation Lady Jaye action figure.

Check out Twitziller’s previously-released images from “40 Reasons to Be Excited for G.I. Joe Retaliation” below:

day-40-color
day-39-minitank
day-38-desert-ambush
day-37-flint
day-36-concept-design
day-35-hiss-tank
day-7-roadblock
day-5-motion
day-6-cobra-commander-battle-helmet
day-4-lady-jaye
day-34-zartan
day-33-on-the-run
day-32-cobra-helicopter
day-31-rappelling-assault
day-30-practical-effects
day-29-assault-vtol
day-3-lighting
day-2-battle-kata-gear
day-1-gi-joe
day-28-storm-shadow

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