Live-Action G.I. JOE Movie?

Just as those with keen observation skills and fans of both the Transformers and G.I. Joe, who've seen the Transformers movie might have noticed, there were several hints (or, "cameos") during several scenes which could indicate that a real-life G.I. Joe movie might be in the works, soon:

- In the opening sequence, during Blackout's invasion of the Qatar SOCCENT base, the officer ordering the Pave Low to turn away, step out, etc., was named Col. Sharpe.

- Another possible cameo was after the SpecOps guys landed at the SOCCENT base, a pair of African-American guys are seen playing basketball -- one of them was talking in rhyme.

- One of the F-22 Raptors had a name written in the cockpit: "Capt. B. Armbruster" -- Capt. Brad J. Armbruster, aka "Ace", is a Sky Striker pilot in the G.I. Joe series.

- The Laurentian Abyss, where the fallen Decepticons were dumped off near the end of the movie, is the same abyss where G.I. Joe and Cobra fought for the heavy water in the first mini-series.

- The black Sector 7 vehicles that were escorting Bumblebee and the Allspark look very similar to G.I. Joe A.W.E. Strikers.

- Josh Duhamel's character, Capt. Lennox, first appeared in the G.I. Joe vs. Transformers comic book.

- The movie prints were delivered to theaters under the code name "Cobra".

- The hacker's (Glen Whitman) room, had three model planes hanging by the window. One of them looks like a Sky Sweeper from SpyTroops, and one looked like a Sky Striker.

Whether a Joe movie will really be made, remains to be confirmed. But one can't help but take notice of these cameos and think that it was all just coincidental.

YO JOE!!!

Bashing the TRANSFORMERS Movie Bashers

I never really go to every new movie being shown, because I hate crowds. That, and the fact that I only like a handful of movies. But there will be times when I would bear being in line among a mass of human flesh, just to see, or experience, something good. This movie was one of those times. In fact, this was only the second time this year, that I had to do the "queueing thing" (the first being Spiderman 3).

Granted, that the film had it's flaws. But I didn't go and watch it with the expectations that it was going to be THE perfect, most intellectually-provoking movie of the year. I went to see it, to have FUN. And what fun it was to see these robots come into 3D life in the big screen.

Now, I don't give a flying broomstick as to what the naysaying, nitpicking critics have to say about the film. This film, for me, was about fun. Live action robo-fun. If they want to see something purely intellectual, then they should stick to watching documentaries. If they want to see old-school, first generation Transformers, they should stick to watching the cartoon movies and episodes. Don't go and spoil the fun for us.

TRANSFORMERS Merchandise Launch

Strangely enough, this 'merchandise launch' of the Transformers movie toy line came weeks after the toys were first seen on the shelves, but it was an okay event nonetheless. Some collectors had their Transformers on display, and there were also some fan art. There was a merchandise area for shirts and toys, and a table where there were laptop PC's playing Transformers cartoons and video games.

Here are pics of some of the Transformers that were on display:There were also several mini-games, such as trivia questions, and transformation time trials to see who can transform a randomly-picked figure. There was also a "coloring book" contest where - surprisingly - twentysomethings participated, and a timed on-the-spot drawing contest where (shameless plug coming up) yours truly won 3rd Place.

Yours truly doing the initial sketch:
Finished product:

PERSONAL COLLECTION #2: 2006 Wave 4 STORM SHADOW

This was the second 8-inch Sigma 6 action figure that I purchased: Storm Shadow.

I've been fond of ninjas ever since my younger days. I still remember buying ninja magazines, and the times when I and my childhood friends would play dress-up ninjas at night, tresspassing (lols) on neighbors' premises mainly to see whether we would be noticed.

So it was also the same with my action figures when I learned all about GI Joes way back in 1986. Storm Shadow and Snake Eyes figures were instantly - and at the top - of my GI Joe wish list (though my first 3.75" GI Joe figure was Sci-Fi, because these figures were hard to come by back then).

And, 21 years later, these two figures were once again the priority figures to start my 8" S6 collection.

It was by pure luck that I came across this figure in the toys section of a department store, and in my opinion it was a good decision on my part to have bought this on impulse. Why? Because at the time of writing, this figure has practically vanished from the shelves. And the only two pieces I have seen on separate hobby shops have now been overpriced to more than US$50 each. Gotta love those greedy capitalists.

Again, the body sculpt is exaggerated to anime-like proportions, as one may have noticed in the pic above -- bowling ball deltoids and triangular triceps on those oversized arms. And those hands. Those big hands. They remind me of Mr. Bean's hands. Or baller hands. ;p But those oversized limbs are, I think, what gives this figure its character, along with those feudal Samurai-like pants and black bandaged forearms.

As for the weapons, this figure comes with a lot of them. A Samurai sword and its scabbard, Ninja BAT swords, nunchaku with flip-out blades, mace chains (pictured at left), foot claws, climbing suction cups, a grappling hook, and a spring-loaded bola launcher (well, that's what they were calling 'em so I'll just go along with it).

I just wish that they included some sort of strap for the scabbard, and perhaps something to allow Stormy to carry all these stuff around -- I bet he'd have a hard time creeping through enemy territory with a nunchuk in one hand, mace chain wrapped around his neck, and the Samurai scabbard in his mouth - especially with that facemask he has on. And then there's those big suction cups, foot claws, and bola launcher.

I can't say that I'm a fan of those Ninja BAT swords, though. They should've left that to those BATS, and gave Storm Shadow another sword. Much like on the first 3.75" Storm Shadow figure, where he had two swords, and a backpack to keep those and the nunchuks in place. As for the bola launcher, it was a nice looking but useless weapon in my opinion. Just like those giant suction cups.

Overall, I think this is a very decent figure to have in one's S6 collection.

2nd VIRRA MALL TOYS and COLLECTIBLES EXHIBIT

Three words: "what happened here?!" I got to the mall where the event was being held, at around 5pm, expecting throngs of hobbyists, collectors, fanboys and what-have-yous -- much like what I had encountered during the ToyCon at Megamall. I saw a pretty chick with henna tattoos on her cute face walk past by, but she wasn't wearing anything special -- just a shirt on and... shorts (nice legs!). LOL

I also expected tons of Marvel- and DC-related product on display.

I saw the opposite.

There were some cosplayers on the makeshift stage/ramp, just chatting with their fellows. Other cosplayers were inspecting the toys.

So, what were the toys on display?

First of all, I thought I went to a different event. The stage backdrop was Transformers The Movie. WTF?!! So why put Marvel and DC characters in the tarps and on the website in the first place?

I expected Marvel- and DC- themed cosplayers. All I saw were anime cosplayers.

I was expecting numerous Marvel & DC figures and dios on the exhibitors' tables. But there were more non-superhero related merchandise on display.

Good thing admission was free. Though I had to endure traffic just to get there.

Rating: 1 / 5 (a "1" for that cute chick with face henna)