8. Sgt. Slaughter and the Renegades
Sgt. Slaughter is seriously badass, and his inclusion in the movie was absolutely awesome. Slaughter was portrayed as a barbaric drill instructor, training the next generation of ass-kickers.
“Don’t touch my leftovers.”
Who better to teach them than the man who was able to destroy the evil forces of the Iron Sheik, the Ultimate Warrior and Nemesis Enforcer himself?
As for the Renegades, first there was Mercer, a former Cobra Viper. Mercer had the most awesome triangle haircut ever and a massive camel-toe it seems.
One intimidating son of a bitch who spit on a scorpion. That’s so badassingly 80s. Mercer was able to help Sarge and the boys break into the Terrordrome via the air conditioning ducts. You’d think by that point and time, after discovering Mercer’s defection, Cobra would’ve changed security codes and tighten up their facility better, but no. Mercer also seems to be the only renegade that made the jump from roughneck to full fledged G.I. Joe in the later years. He had a beard (which would’ve made an awesome inclusion on the Mustache Madness of 2012) and giant iron sleeve, but he made it.
Next was Red Dog, a ex-football player who got the pink slip for being too crazy. Red Dog wasn’t really given more than that, but his design and badass attitude were more than enough.
I’m kinda surprised they didn’t do more with him. He would’ve made a fun addition to further Joe tales in the comics and, dare I say, the DiC series. Red Dog’s design was pretty simple and straight to the point.
Taurus is the final member of the Renegades. Pretty much the big dumb, lunky Russian that seems more content on having an awesome ginger beard and cutting himself with his sword than anything else. A former circus performer as well, proving once again, all it takes to get on the Joe team is opening the door to the headquarters.
First Sgt. Slaughter, now Ivan Koloff. Hasbro sure did love wrestling!
The lamest of the Renegades. Had to include him though. His figure included in the three pack was much cooler than his actual character.
There you have it. The facts…according to me. Great new characters, a new enemy for the Joes to battle, and some new and interesting twists in the legend of G.I. Joe. I’m the king of unpopular opinion, but I sincerely hope that after reading this, you can give G.I. Joe: The Movie another shot. I love it and believe in it, despite what others say. I hope you can see past what it’s said to be and what it really is, a 90 minute ride of fun and entertainment.
Read also: The 50 Greatest G.I. Joe Characters of All Time
Chad E. Young‘s love of G.I. Joe knows no bounds. He travelled from DC to Canada to meet Larry Hama. He once talked a toy dealer down from $100 to $35 for a beat up Terrordrome. He’s seen every episode of each cartoon from the Sunbow, DIC, and yes…EVEN G.I. Joe Extreme.
Obviously I disagree with this post on multiple levels and at least 4-5 of the 8 points made here … BUT anything GI Joe (Gen 1) gets props from me … love Joe info, opinion, and memories.
#HailCobra
You know, as a standalone story its good. Its the erasure of Cobra Commander’s either comic book or imagined backstory that disappointed so many kids. I do enjoy the movie anytime I watch it though
Great list Chad, and I love the new layout (pagination) instead of scrolling forever.
You’re not the only one who thinks it’s the best! haha
COBRALALALALALALA!!!!
As somewhat of a late G.I. Joe bloomer, I reallllly enjoyed this animated movie. The intro is epic and definitely should be the #1 reason here! I know a lot of G.I. Joe #VintagePurists hate a lot about this movie, but I enjoy most of it and you make a great case for several of those points. My only major problem was Cobra Commander becoming a snake. “WASSSSS ONCCCCEE A MANNNNNN”.
I LOVE Nemesis Enforcer. He’s my favorite character to come outta this.
As a huge G.I.Joe ARAH comic reader (who refers to the Hama comics as my default Joe continuity over the cartoons) even I love this movie, and it flies in the face of everything the comic had spent a decade building.
I remember watching it all the time before school when they broke it up into 5 individual episodes. That intro gets you pumped for the day more than a bowl of sugary, marshmallowy cereal!
You make good points though I disagree. Commander was a genius even if he lost. I always after this movie how he could adapt to human society or why did need him to conquer when they could on the Joes themselves. Love movie, but with questions.
This is awesome, glad you took the time to post this insight into the GI Joe movie. You’ll never see mainstream cartoons with this sort of awesomeness these days. too much anti-violence and political correctness.