G.I. Joe - Season One Part Two (DVD, 2004, 4-Disc Set)

This is one of the original G.I. Joe releases for DVD. Originally Rhino Video did G.I. Joe, Transformers, Transformers: Beast Wars, etc. till they seem to have went belly-up. So the G.I. Joe Rhino collection never made it past Season Two Set One.

As to the video it looks fine on my Sharp Aquos LCD and even better when sent through a DVD upconvert player like my Panosonic DVD Upconvert Recorder. The episodes are a bit long in the tooth; seriously watch a episode and count how many lazer blasts and exploding vehicles there are. But never a death. Ahh, apparently being a kid that didn't phase me but reading the G.I. Joe comics too where characters actually were injured or died it's a bit of a come-down from the pathos factor.

OK, so here is the answer of wether to buy or pass on this set. The extras are mundane but OK. The video is fine but I hear the new G.I. Joe re-issues are nicer. So why buy? If you are like me and owned Rhino's 2 disk mini-series collection and G.I. joe Season One Set One then you want this one because it's complete the first season and then wait for the reissues on Season two to come or rebuy all of your first season DVDs. The reissues just don't have all of the eps in the right order to match up to the old Rhino releases and if you just buy Season One Volume One from the reissue you will be missing episodes. Mind you: THIS ONLY APPLIES IF YOU OWNED AND KEEP YOUR PREVIOUS RHINO VIDS AND TRY TO COMPLETE THE ISSING HALF OF THE SEASON WITH THE REISSUES.

G.I. Joe is a cartoon originally made to help market Hasbro's action figure toyline. However, it's amazing to see the amount of care writers placed in the plots and dialogue, especially when they didn't have to. It's really top quality (most of the time) despite some animation bloopers. Unlike many cartoons today, this one has some basis in reality (and is still relevant 20 years later!).
Pros: The episode "Bazooka Saw a Sea Serpent" is a Jaws spoof complete with Steven Spielberg caricature! The episode "The Primordial Plot" has scientists growing dinosaurs from DNA eight years BEFORE Jurassic Park!!! The episode "Cold Slither" has a heavy metal musical tune by the aussie bad guy!
Cons: Some animation goofs here and there (it doesn't really detract from the stories being told). An example: episode "Spell of the Siren" has the good guys having a feast at the end of the episode like it's Thanksgiving, but it's never mentioned why and it aired in October. Also there could be more special features(they do include interviews with the voice actors for two main characters).
Overall: Not only an excellent trip down memory lane to '80's cartoons but you may just see something that the keen writers threw in that you understand now as an adult! GREAT FOR KIDS AND ADULTS with PG cartoon violence.

G.I. Joe Season One Part Two was an excellent addition to my colection. I like the fact that the episodes are complete and exciting. I decided to buy the series, because it is extremely rare and hard to find in stories.

I like the Rhino version because it has Dolby Digital 5.1. It sounds great if you a system for your TV. If you don't have a system just get the new G.I. JOE from Shout Factory.

I used to watch this cartoon when I was little and it is still as good as I remember it to be!! Recommend purchasing for your home collection if you love the good old fashion cartoon GI JOE! GOOOOOO JOE!!!