Ode to G.I. Joe (1990) Poster

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8/10
A Neat Short Film
jeremycrimsonfox14 July 2023
Before they were known for battling the evil forces of Cobra, G. I. Joe was more known as a line of Barbie-like dolls that were based on real-life military, navy, and other specialties that are involved in war and national defense. This student film is a nice throwback to these pre-1980's G. I. Joe action figures.

Set in a boy's bedroom during the era of this incarnation, the short portrays these Joes in stop motion animation having fun, as they are seen dancing, hanging out, and having a good time, despite the fact they make a mess of the poor boy's room. This is neat short film that does toys coming to life five years before Toy Story made it cool.
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8/10
G.I. Joe story Warning: Spoilers
Stories about toys coming to life in abscence of humans had been a thing since Hans Christian Andersen wrote "The Steadfast Tin Soldier", though it's easy to see why movies like Toy Story or Small Soldiers could have been influenced by this short, a rather charming tribute to classic G. I. Joe figurines.

It's very delightful to watch from beginning to end, not only for G. I. Joe fans.
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8/10
Ode to G. I. Joe is amusing tribute to 12" action figure
tavm24 August 2006
Warning: Spoilers
The Archies' "Sugar, Sugar" is playing in the background as we dolly through a child's room filled with mostly '70s items (like a Partridge Family album). We then pan to the radio and see a G. I. Joe doll switch to another station. Now it's playing The Staple Singers' "I'll Take You There" as we see lots of other G. I. Joe dolls dancing! This continues until we hear an adult voice calling for his son. The son asks what his dad wants. Dad wants him to clean his room. Son says he did. Dad doesn't believe him since he saw the mess! Way before Toy Story came this stop-motion short by Gregory Grant about the various 12" G. I. Joe dolls that were on the market from 1964 to 1978. This film is dedicated in memory of them. Very amusing and highly recommended, Ode to G. I. Joe is one of many shorts from the Volume 5 videocassette of The International Tournee of Animation from 1992.
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10/10
For those who remember
medrjel22 July 2002
When I was young, I remember when G.I. Joe was this BIG MANLY toy "Action Figure". Now, it's been demoted to a 3" piece of plastic. Well, If you want to reminisce, check this out. A plethera of classic 12" G.I. Joe action figures all dancing and partying in a kid's room.

This is fun animation, not just for what it's about, but for the memories of the older generation. Yet, I think young or old, we can all enjoy it.
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The Heart of Toy Story
GarethBeaumains25 July 2017
I loved this movie, especially the "In memory of all 12 inch G.I. Joes. 1964-1978." I remember seeing it at an animation film fest, and the whole theater going crazy with applause when it was done. I was full of nostalgia, and all the details were era-perfect.

In a way, this 1990 gem is the heart and soul of the later 1995 blockbuster "Toy Story." I always wondered if John Lasseter had seen it. I know there was a later 2000 lawsuit filed and settled in 2002 for the 1998 DreamWorks movie Small Soldiers.

Ironically, I don't believe Grant got permission from the Staple Sisters for "I'll Take You There," or from Hasbro for the use of G.I. Joe.

It was a genius bit of filmmaking, though. Shame that Grant never followed up with any other works.
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