DISQUS

Landon_Palmer · 3 months ago

Great post! Glad to see your column back, it's been too long

Evan · 3 months ago

But Scarlett is supposed to be moved by the honor and stoicism of Snake Eyes, while pulled by the more fulfilling mutuality of her relationship with Duke. That's a central dynamic in the G.I. Joe canon.

Marlon Wayans is like a minstrel for the the 21st century; he doesn't represent a progressive image of an african-american man, he milks stereotypes for easy laughs without irony in movie after movie he and his (Wayans) brothers make. I think he's not the star you would want to pick to step up as a token for affirmative action movies.

Cole_Abaius · 3 months ago

Yes, ma'am. There's nothing like true subversiveness.

It seems to be a lost art in our culture, but the act of reeling in an audience and giving them a subtle message that they don't normally want to hear is always awesome. Like my mom listening to the Dooby Brothers and getting a whiff of drug culture simply because the music "sounds wholesome."

Part of me is confused that the idea of interracial relationships on film can still be a shocking one, but I suppose we don't see that many of them. And if Joe can play the relationship naturally without making a big deal of the skin color of the sexy participants, more power to them.

Next up, Duke makes out with Snake Eyes. Subtly.

RobertFure · 3 months ago

You had me until the throw-away line about homosexuality in the military. This is, from start to finish, GI Joe. Not Brokeback Soldiers. You pointed this out but even bringing it up like GI Joe should have considered it is strange.

And regarding Ripcord and Scarlett, Evan has it right - Snake-Eyes and Scarlett are supposed to be the couple. That's far more interesting. The year is 2009, few people are still shocked by interracial relationships. That's a toss-away. But having an energetic and independent woman pursue a relationship with a silent assassin, someone who never speaks, thats tough to do and interesting. It's a better story. Ripcord is a comedian. Everyone loves a joker. Plus, Snake-Eyes and Scarlett is a mainstay through the comics. Some of the best stories involve those two. Perhaps the best Snake-Eyes story happens after ))) comic spoilers ((( Baroness shoots Scarlett in the head. Snake thinks she's dead so he agrees to go off on a bad-ass kill everyone suicide mission. Cue the action. Further, the Snake-Eyes of the comics wears a mask because of traumatic injury to the face. So he's not all that handsome, depending on the era. His face has been either completely burned off or had deep scars across it. That's a good love story.

justadude · 3 months ago

Yeah, I agree that the black male-white female interracial thing isn't all that new. I completely see your point and respect your thoughts, but it would probably be more shocking to have a black female-white male couple; you don't see that very often in movies. I also think it would be more 'revolutionary' to see a black-asian couple (like in "Rumble in the Bronx") or an Indian-white couple.

tivius · 3 months ago

A nicely written and thoughtful contribution. Thank you.

neonized · 3 months ago

One quick note that everyone is missing. In the 80's comic book canon Snake-Eyes and Scarlet are not a couple. Snake-Eyes is Scarlett’s protector. She reminds Snake-Eyes of the sister he lost in a car accident. He feels obligated to protect her. He is, in essence, her big brother.

b.rae · 3 months ago

that's the hint that you get in the movie. i'm sure it will be further developed in the 2nd movie.

Alex · 3 months ago

Sorry neonized, but you're dead wrong. Snake Eyes and Scarlett ARE a couple in the comics, and have been for two decades. They are currently engaged to be married. I don't know where you get your information from, but it's obvious that you've never read the comics. Larry Hama, the creator of the comic, has stated time and time again that Scarlett's true love is Snake Eyes. I think youi might be some kind of studio plant that is trying to mislead everyone. The SNake Eyes/Scarlett romance is indeed canon, and all you need to do is look it up on the internet to find out. This thing with Ripcord is sacrilige, and just an example of Hollywood trying to destroy one of comicdom's most beloved couples.