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06-14-2009, 04:09 PM | #1 |
Serpentor Imposter
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Madison, WI
Posts: 3,910
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So I picked up the official prequel novel last week, and finished it the other night. Here are my thoughts on it:
G.I. Joe - Above and Beyond Author: Max Allan Collins 260 pages MSRP: 7.99 US/9.99 Can (Found at Wal-mart for 5.97) *No Spoiler Paragraphs* It is an action book. I recently read the Terminator and Transformers prequels, and this is about at their level. Surprisingly, because of the rush to get the book out and short time-frame the author had to write it, there were few mistakes in the book (there were MANY typos and cut-off sentences in the Terminator prequel for instance). The writing is pretty simple, although there are some passages where the author obviously did research on non-military items (like jazz musicians). There were some parts that were very annoying, knowing G.I. Joe like I do, but were able to be overlooked. The book covers a time before the movie (obviously) where Duke and Ripcord are not in GI Joe, but in a US Army special ops group known as Able Unit. Their missions overlap on some GI Joe missions, and Duke and Rip (as he's called throughout the book mostly) draw the attention of Hawk. Because GI Joe is a secret military force, Duke's group and the Joes never interact, but the Joes secretly support Able team on their mission. The world (vs. American) force will play out well I think, and is explained in more detail in the book. I enjoyed the relationship between Duke and Rip, although the latter has a way of cracking jokes at very inappropriate times, and am looking forward to see how this relationship plays out on screen. There is also some background on some other major players in the movie, but only if you've read some spoilers already.... GungHo was the leader of the GI Joe squad sent to help Able team, and it was cool seeing him in a leadership role. Short and sweet summary: Fun action book that will give you background and understanding for some of the characters in the movie. I would recommend it to everyone who is excited about the movie. For those of you who think the movie is going to suck horribly, this book is not for you, and you will likely have an aneurysm reading it. Don't say I didn't warn you. *SPOILER PARAGRAPHS* Some quick thoughts: The single, most annoying aspect of this book was that the GI Joes kept yelling "Yo JOEs!" In one part, it worked, because Joe should have been plural, but as a battle-cry, just having it singular would have worked fine.... The amount of joking that Ripcord did seemed VERY forced, and I hope it is toned down a lot in the movie. One thing I learned: Joes are badasses. Scarlett took out 3 helicopters, SE rescued a diplomat by infiltrating a building and killing all of the kidnappers silently, Hawk was a US General, and Covergirl... well, let's just say I wish the book was illustrated, lol. I'm curious to see how Rex survived the ending, and how Ana got caught up with the bad guys. I liked the end where Gung-Ho went to recruit Duke, but realized it wasn't the correct time, obviously setting up the movie. |
06-14-2009, 04:34 PM | #2 |
Crimson lady of the Guard
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Somewhere out there
Posts: 13,754
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Nice review. Thanks for sharing.
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06-16-2009, 05:46 PM | #3 |
Extensive Enterprise CFO
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Indianapolis Indiana
Posts: 132
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I thought the book was pretty cool. Yes it wasn't Tolkien in style but at the same time I wouldn't want to read a G.I. Joe story in that fashion. I had a lot of fun reading it and I thought the way the characters were introduced was pretty cool.
From my own point of view, after reading this book, I found myself even more excited about the movie since the book used the script as its basis and it has given me great confidence in the feature film. ITs a blast and well worth the six bones you need to lay down to get it.
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06-16-2009, 05:52 PM | #4 |
Trying to be a Eel
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Washington
Posts: 788
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I agree that the book is a fun read.
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06-16-2009, 06:07 PM | #5 |
Banned
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,361
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I disagree. The book is a flaming turd and I will smoke a ham with it in my new grill. I will take my son to see the movie, but this story line is lame as shit!
I wanted to shoot Rip Cord in the head myself!!! They really f'ed up these characters big time. If you want a good read than go pick up the Halo books, because the ROC G.I. Joe series is sucking ass major!! The author should lose sleep over this! Just bad in every way. It's like watching the movie Navy S.E.A.L.s again today. It was cool as hell when it first came out but just reads very cheasy in the modern age. Do not waste time or money like I did! Last edited by nerdsgetchicks; 06-16-2009 at 06:09 PM.. |
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06-16-2009, 06:07 PM | #6 |
G.I.Joe medic
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Litchfield, ME
Posts: 3,171
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Yeah, the book was pretty good. I'm a little iffy on Collins' use of ranks-Duke as a lieutenant, and the medic a lieutenant as well. Not entirely accurate, and the "YO, Joes" was a bit much. Overall, though, I enjoyed it.
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06-16-2009, 06:40 PM | #7 |
Fat Jesus
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Shadowy Recesses Of Cobra Island
Posts: 636
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Quote:
I disagree. The book is a flaming turd and I will smoke a ham with it in my new grill. I will take my son to see the movie, but this story line is lame as shit!
I wanted to shoot Rip Cord in the head myself!!! They really f'ed up these characters big time. If you want a good read than go pick up the Halo books, because the ROC G.I. Joe series is sucking ass major!! The author should lose sleep over this! Just bad in every way. It's like watching the movie Navy S.E.A.L.s again today. It was cool as hell when it first came out but just reads very cheasy in the modern age. Do not waste time or money like I did! qft
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06-16-2009, 06:51 PM | #8 |
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06-17-2009, 12:31 AM | #9 |
Fat Jesus
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Shadowy Recesses Of Cobra Island
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something that really irked me about Ripcord in the novel..he said "Bro" every other word it seemed...
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"His cereal never gets soggy.It sits there,staying crispy,just for him." "His organ donation card, also lists his beard." "The police often question him,just because they find him interesting." "He once punched a magician. That’s right. You heard me." He is.....The Most Interesting Man In The World |
06-17-2009, 03:22 AM | #10 |
Serpentor Imposter
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Madison, WI
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Quote:
And I live about 60 miles or so from the author, who wants me to go leave a flaming bag of poo on his doorstep? lol (not that I think he deserves it, I enjoyed it, obviously) |
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