Rise of Cobra DVD

[freak4ll]

Just wondering if anybody else has watched the commentary version of Rise of Cobra. It seems that some over at Paramount had a problem with a few things in the movie like Snake-Eyes having a mask and the flash back scene with young snake and shadow going at it. It would seem that Sommers and some at Paramount butted heads a time or two. I don't know if Sommers will be back for the sequel or even if it will be officially greenlit, but personally I'd like to see him back. I know the film has it's share of critics within these forums, but I can't help but feel it would've been worse without Sommers. I'm curious to see where they would go with a sequel if we get one. It seems that Storm Shadow would be a good guy. One of the deleted scenes when he gets stabbed is that he didn't kill their master. It was pretty much confirmed that Stormy didn't die. Speaking of deleted scenes, I wish they actually showed them instead of just telling us about some of them. Anyway, just wanted to share a couple of my thoughts after watching the commentary version.

[rah-digga]

...As if anyone REALLY cared...

I'll purchase the Blu-Ray, if only to prove to Paramount that we deserve a sequel. As far as whether Sommers should be back, I'm on the fence. Personally, I'm not against the cast, I just hated the script. Production values were crap too but my opinion on movies is that it starts at the script stage and RoC's script was my biggest complaint.

[snakeeyes1974]

I really dont know much about Sommers and his previous movies, but I think after watching the movie at home I still like it just not really thinking of the story from which we grew up with. I watch it in the state of mind of a war movie with my favorite characters from my childhood. My biggest problem is the motorcycle Scarlett drove was a little to cartoon-ish weaving through the traffic, but I have gotten past the Delta-6 suits and the underwater scene looking Star Wars-ish too. I hope there is a 2nd one in the making.

[freak4ll]

Yes, the script had plenty of problems... they were very clear in the commentary that they had to rush a lot of things because of the strike. They were changing things on the fly including the script among other things. They even admitted that this was no way to make a movie. That being said, they were very pleased with the end product. If we do get a sequel, hopefully things will be better. My biggest problems with the script were changes to what I consider to be Joe canon. I doubt I would've been pleased with all aspects of it regardless.

You know... I've been somewhat on the fence about Sommers as well. New direction wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing. We just need somebody who is willing to stand up to studio execs at Paramount. I can't believe they wanted Snake-Eyes without a mask and tried to force that upon Sommers for part of the shoot.

I did thoroughly enjoy the film though. I think it's a fun ride and Joe being a feature film has been a dream of mine since childhood. Yeah, it's a bit of a different Joe, but still Joe. I too have gotten past the Delta suits but hope they don't play a prime roll in any sequel. Personally, I loved the Paris chase scene even though it included the suits. It was just a crazy scene that worked for me. Scarlett on the motorcycle I thought was great but a little cartoonish I can agree with. The whole quick pase was a lot of fun for me during that scene.

[The Enemy]

I enjoyed the movie when I saw it in the theater, but when I watched the DVD again the other day, a lot of the silly stuff really stood out. The "wow" factor of the effects and seeing Joe on the big screen for the first time wasn't there, and although I still like the movie, the way they dumbed it down still bugs me.

Watching the special features about the making of the film was great, though, and you really can see the detail of what they did accomplish. In future viewings, that's what I'll be watching for.

As for the sequel, if it does happen, I'm hoping they can do an Empire Strikes Back and make it darker and maybe a bit more like Resolute (which was fantastic, BTW.....bought it the same day and hadn't seen it yet). I don't have an issue with new characters and that stuff, overall, but it would be nice if some of the "cheese" factor was removed. It's not just because I'm an adult, either. Kids know when things are corny (adding the catchphrases into the dialogue, etc), and I think by making it more edgy, it will help overall. That starts with the script, of course.

[CobraLALALALA]

Yeah a lot of silly lines in the film. Like the "Nice shoes" by the Baroness. That was just stupid as crap.

Some of the attempts to make connections between the characters were a little wacky too. Like Baroness being a student of Storm Shadow...um OKAY?

Overall I liked it a lot and still do, but gawd the script is lame at times.

[skinny]

Sommers can direct and knows his craft, he knows how to make a film.
problem is this wasnt the film for him, you can tell that in the DVD extras.
instead of minorly tweaking the Joe mythos, he took this opportunity and used it to his advantage.
he even admits it.
He says he always wanted to do a film called accelerator about these suits that enhanced normal capabilities.
He says he always wanted to do a Bond film with a huge underwater scene like Poseidon or Thunderball.
no big surprise Directors do that all the time, Speilberg even, the coat hanger scene in Indiana Jones and temple of doom was reused from 1941, because he liked that. which is no problem really becuase it doesnt affect any of the plot. its a nice touch.
But to plop a whole scene dedicated to something that you have as wish fullfillment into a movie where its awkward and is noticed right away by those closest to the property is a different story.
My point here is make a GIJOE film, not a film you have always wanted to make but probably would never get greenlit.
I am going to watch the commentary version tonight as I really want to learn more.