Armed forces to help launch 'G.I. Joe' film

The movie "G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra" may be something of a mystery, but it's not exactly sneaking into theaters on Friday. That will be particularly true at the Carmike Wynnsong 16 on Schillinger Road.

The movie is based on the Hasbro G.I. Joe toys that date back to the 1960s. The film is more specifically related to concepts Hasbro developed in the '80s, when the G.I. Joe action figures and an animated TV series depicted an elite team of U.S. military specialists battling a sinister organization known as Cobra.

Given this extensive background, there is widespread fan interest in the first big-screen blockbuster to be based on the franchise. Paramount released its first trailer as far back as the Super Bowl, but has opted not to screen the movie in advance to print and broadcast media reviewers.

Regular screenings of the PG-13 film will start at about noon, as is the case at most theaters. (Some area theaters will show the movie at midnight Thursday.)

At 4 p.m. at the Wynnsong, however, assistant manager Adam Kumor has arranged a show of force that might make Cobra think twice.

From 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, at least three branches of the U.S. armed forces will be represented at the theater. Also on hand, Kumor said, will be representatives of the Mobile Police Department. Additional attractions will include karate, self-defense and weapons-handling demonstrations.

Kumor said there's no money changing hands as part of the event. He said the idea is that the military, the police and various local organizations will get exposure to people drawn to the movie, he said, and the theater will get a little excitement to spice up opening night.

Patrons should benefit from that as well, he added. "I want to give something to the people of west Mobile," Kumor said....