They’re both movie franchises that are based on TV franchises that were created for the soul purpose of marketing Hasbro toys.  So why did Transformers tromp around this summer destroying other worthy films like Public Enemies at the box office, while G.I. Joe has gotten such a “meh” response?

That’s what Film School Rejects wants to know:

Really, I’m sick of hearing all the whining and bellyaching from everyone and their dog about G.I. Joe when it basically is going to amount to roughly the same style of movie as that big hit Transformers — so far as I can tell. It looks like it has plenty of action and guns going off, just like Transformers. It’s even based on Eighties action figures, made by Hasbro! Yet while people were oohing and aahing about Transformers 2 and trashing the nation’s critics for panning the movie, the reaction to G.I. Joe among the movie fans has been far different. I haven’t seen so much bellyaching in advance of a movie in a long, long time. People are saying of G.I. Joe that “it’s got action and violence and babes! It’s going to suck!” Of course, not too long ago the exact same people were saying of the Transformers sequel that “it’s got action and violence and babes! It’s going to be awesome!”

Then again, everybody has a different opinion of the two franchises.  Slashfilm reports a different experience:

“Better than Transformers 2″ seems to be the one sentence review quote I’ve heard over and over. But with Transformers 2 considered one of the worst reviewed blockbusters of all time, is that statement really saying much?

Are you planning on seeing G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra?  And if so, did you love or hate Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen?