Rating: PG
Starring:
Chris Latta as Cobra Commander
Michael Bell as Duke
Neil Ross as Shipwreck
Arthur Burghardt as Destro
Frank Welker as Torch
Mary McDonald-Lewis as Lady Jaye
Bill Ratner as Flint
Zack Hoffman as Zartan
Kene Holliday as Roadblock
Morgan Lofting as Baroness
Corey Burton as Tomax
Pat Fraley as Ace
B.J. Ward as Scarlett)
Gregg Berger as Spirit
Special Features:
* Knowing Is Half The Battle PSAs
* Looking Back With Writer Ron Friedman
* Archival Hasbro Toy Commercials
* The original G.I. Joe 1963 Toy Fair Presentation
* Printable Script for Jungle Trap
Other Info:
Fullscreen (1.33:1)
Running Time: 8 Hours
The Series:
The following is the official description of the series:
“G.I. Joe is the code name for Americas highly-trained special missions force. Its purpose: to defend human freedom against Cobra, a ruthless terrorist organization determined to rule the world!
In 1983 Hasbro made a bold statement when it relaunched its classic toy line of military action heroes as an adventure-based team of unique characters, each with his, and her, own specialties. And because it captured the imaginations and hearts of boys and girls aspiring to make a difference in the world, G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero was an immediate success lasting over 25 incredible years. Now you can relive the original animated adventures of Duke, Scarlett, Snake Eyes, Flint, Lady Jaye and rest of the Joe team with this 4-disc DVD set of G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero, including the first part of the series inaugural season, the three annual 5-part miniseries that started it all: The MASS Device, The Revenge Of Cobra: The Weather Dominator and The Pyramid Of Darkness.”
“G.I. Joe: Season 1.1” is not rated.
Mini-Review:
Boy, I haven’t watched an episode of “G.I. Joe” since the 1980s. So I was excited to get this DVD and show it to my kids for the first time. They knew a little about it from having seen the toys in stores, but that was the extent of their knowledge. I popped it in and showed it to them.
I had forgotten just how ambitious this series was. It took place in a variety of international settings. It had a huge cast that all needed screentime. It had huge action scenes that would have cost millions to film in live action. And it has Cobra bases that would put any James Bond villain to shame. Everything about it is big.
While my kids and I had fun yelling, “Yo Joe!” and “Coooobbrraaaaa!”, they lost interest in the show after about a half hour. Admittedly, the plot was rather complex and it was a lot to take in for a 4 year old. But there’s no denying they had interest in it, albeit in smaller doses.
Among the bonus features, I was hoping for some interviews with the voice cast, but that wasn’t included in this set. Instead the highlight is a series of interviews with Ron Friedman. He helped develop the back story and the characters. I found it interesting that he started out in engineering, then after conducting a research study on what appeals to kids, he ended up creating toys and creating this vast world. You’ll also find some tattoos, a printable script, the old PSA’s, and the original 1963 Toy Fair presentation for G.I. Joe.
