Main cast: Indira Varma (The Bride), Sean Gunn (GI Robot, Weasel), Alan Tudyk (Dr Phosphorus), Zoe Chao (Nina Mazursky), David Harbour (Eric Frankenstein), and Frank Grillo (Rick Flag Sr)
Director: Matt Peters
One of the most bizarre experiences one can have is reading user reviews of Creature Commandos. Apparently, there are legions of people moved to tears and blubbering at the poetic tragedy in each episode when they’re not laughing uproariously at James Gunn’s comedic genius. They speak of it like it’s the second coming of prestige television, a masterpiece of animation, a cultural touchstone.
Sadly, these legions are clearly not in the numbers needed to make this show a ratings winner or cultural phenomenon, because whenever I try to get a conversation going about the show, the answer is invariably: “Are you talking about that old Arnold Schwarzenegger movie?”
So, either these glowing reviews are coming from a very small but vocal fanbase, or someone’s social media intern is working overtime. I’m not saying which, but I’m thinking it very loudly.
Cheers to the Tin Man is the Sean Gunn episode, because why not? It’s not like James Gunn has been accused of nepotism literally this entire series. Oh, and Michael Rooker is a guest voice actor here, in case anyone’s keeping score for the Gunn Nepotism Bingo.
- Brother in prominent role? ✓
- Frequent collaborator gets work? ✓
- Wife will probably show up eventually?
I’m one square away from a bingo, folks!
This is the flashback episode detailing GI Robot’s origin story. And like most of Mr Gunn’s oeuvre, it’s very original: robot made for war. War ends. Robot abandoned. Robot just wants friendship and purpose. Robot sad.
Say, wasn’t this the backstory of Bastion from Overwatch? Or the Iron Giant? Or literally any sentient robot character ever created in the history of fiction? It’s the “Pinocchio wants to be a real boy” arc, but with more guns and explosions.
It’s not bad, per se. It’s just… we’ve seen this. Many times. In many forms. The “sad robot learning about humanity” trope is older than actual robots. It’s the cinematic equivalent of comfort food — familiar, predictable, and ultimately forgettable.
Oh, and GI Robot dies at the end, hence the claims of copious tears in the certainly-organic-and-definitely-not-suspicious user reviews out there. People are devastated. Destroyed. This robot’s death has left psychological scars that will take years of therapy to heal.
Meanwhile, this reviewer can only wonder: isn’t this just a tin can? Can’t they just make another one?
However, to the five Sean Gunn fans out there — hi, Sean’s mom! — he’s still voicing Weasel, so the poor guy remains employed. Phew! The Gunn family can still afford groceries.
In other news, interspersed with the flashback scenes, we have:
- The Bride screaming at Flag like a petulant little girl throwing a tantrum in the cereal aisle.
- Nina the fish woman weeping tears and generally following her Sensitive Weird Monster Girl™ arc toward becoming the poster child of really weird and creepy fan art on Tumblr.
The whole episode feels like tropes warmed over in a microwave — technically edible, but not particularly appetizing. It’s not every interesting, though it is watchable in the way that background noise is watchable. You can have it on while folding laundry and not miss much.
That’s not the best position for the third episode to be in, when it’s still early in the season and one is already feeling bored.
