It’s a “G.I.Joe” Christmas 20 years later
By Michael Knox, mknox@modernfilmzine.com
“G.I. Joe,” had some of the coolest characters and toys when I was a kid. And of the coolest, I think my favorite was the Cobra H.I.S.S. tank.
That elusive piece of weaponry in the world of childhood torment was always just outside of my reach. As a kid when I’d see it I’d be broke. And when I had money, before giving it up and spending in on something else, I could never find that blasted H.I.S.S. tank.
Just before Christmas though I lit up like I was 10 years old again, because I saw the elusive toy of my childhood in a store and grabbed it immediately. And I was broke. Just like childhood.
But my friend and fellow writer, Scott Ross, was with me when I had this bit of disappointment. And I think he was with me when I had the money to go back and buy it and they were sold out. Again, just like childhood.
The H.I.S.S. toy, for me, had once again become a forgotten memory, relegating the “G.I.Joe” world back to where my 10 year old self still exists, the happy parts of the past.
So on Christmas morning, when I ripped into the wrapping paper to reveal the H.I.S.S. tank, my family about died laughing because of the look on my face. It was pure glee and it was special because my “little brother” remember how much I loved that toy and got it when I couldn’t get it.
And that’s what Christmas is about. No, not toys and commercialism. But the thought. Acknowledging that, “Hey you are my friend and I think this would be cool for you have.” Showing that you are good friends and know each other. Like family.
The H.I.S.S. tank is now a part of my collection of television and movie toys that litter my room, but it is the only “G.I.Joe” toy I have. For now at least.
But it did get me to thinking about the new “G.I.Joe: Rise of Cobra” live action movie. So I thought I’d surf the Net and see what I stumbled upon about that. And it made me happy to see another tie to my childhood.
I grew up watching the British television show “Doctor Who” and was really heartbroken when the show went off the air inDecember 1989. After years of fans lobbying for the shows return the good Doctor did come back to television in 2005, with Christopher Eccleston as the Doctor.
It made me really happy to see that Eccleston will be playing Destro, the villainous weapons builder in the live action “G.I.Joe movie.” The film is set to come out August 2009, and will have Stephen Sommers directing.
Sommers directing is a detail which spooks me since I am not a fan of some his other movies, such as “The Mummy Returns” or “Van Helsing.” But Sommers did direct “Catch Me If You Can” which I enjoyed, so it could be a toss up.
Although I’m not sure if it’ll be a good movie I will still be in the theaters watching the film that captures the characters of my childhood.
I just hope they remember to include a Cobra H.I.S.S. tank.
By Michael Knox, mknox@modernfilmzine.com
