Classic Toys Shine In The G.I. Joe Stop-Motion Film Festival

Worried about the upcoming "G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra" film? You're not alone. Judging by the film's initial trailers and promotional images, many fans have deemed the upcoming live-action film... inconsistent with their "G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero" memories, to say the least.

Fans seeking an accelerator suit alternative now have a classic toy-based option with the G.I. Joe Stop-Motion Film Festival playing in select stops this summer. This is the third year for the Onion sponsored festival, which showcases short, stop-motion animated films starring Joes in multiple scale categories (12", 8", 3 ¾"). Contestants aim for humor and nostalgia a la Cartoon Network's "Robot Chicken," with the favorite filmmakers winning a boatload of Joe booty.

The festival has two stops left this summer on June 18 at Seattle's Grand Illusion Cinema and on July 25 at 92YTribeca in New York City. Both precede the "Rise of Cobra" August 7 release date, giving coastal fans an opportunity to potentially cleanse their palates.