Rocketeer (1991)

Son of Commander Cody

Dave Stevens graphic novel -- an obvious tip of the hat to Republic serial classics such as RADAR MEN ON THE MOON and KING OF THE ROCKETMEN -- this wonderfully entertaining film in a summer when TERMINATOR 2 sucked up all the box office oxygen. Too bad, nice performances by Bill Campbell as a barn storming pilot in 1938, Alan Arkin as his sidekick mechanic, the lovely (and very young) Jennifer Connolly as the girl friend, Paul Sorvino as a gangster, and ex-James Bond Timothy Dalton as an Errol Flynn type as a Nazi! (The latter probaby influnced by a book in the 1980's that claimed that Flynn was a Nazi agent.) Though it sank at the box office, I highly recommend this delightful romp which even has a Rondo Hatton henchman and a grand finale on a dirgible! July 11, 2008

Skyrockets to the top of my list as one of the most exciting family films of all time...

I remember as a young boy absolutely loving this movie. At every sleepover this movie was mandatory. I probably saw `The Rocketeer' a record fifty times as a child and then, sadly, I grew up. In fact I haven't seen this movie in almost ten years. Well, I guess I should say `hadn't' as in that I hadn't seen this movie in almost ten years, because thankfully I caught this movie on Encore the other night and since then it's the only movie I've been able to think of. Sure, this is not a perfect film, but for its genre, for its target audience it `is' perfect. As the film began I felt like a little boy once again; all those childish chills of excitement taking over me, and soon I was fully amerced in the world of my youth, and loving every minute of it.

`The Rocketeer' tells the story of 1930's pilot Cliff Secord, a young and ambitious young man who is on his way to the top. By chance Cliff stumbles upon a rocket pack and decides that it may be a surefire way to make some extra money. That rocket pack, designed by Howard Hughs himself, is stolen property though and is being pursued by some very dangerous men. Heading the pursuit is dashing Hollywood movie star Neville Sinclair, a man who is not who he seems. Knowing that Secord has the rocket pack he decides to get closer to Secord's girlfriend Jenny who is aspiring to act alongside Sinclair. Soon Cliff finds that this newfound device, while being the root of all his newfound problems, may be the only way to save his friends and, in the larger scope of things, the world.

Sure, the plot is a little thick at times, but remember folks, this is a superhero movie based off of a popular (at the time) graphic novel so it is not necessarily supposed to be possible, just plausible. Judging from the respect this film delivers wonderfully.

Bill Campbell serves as a fine hero here, giving Cliff a believable sense of natural charm. He seems like a real person, not some fabled heroic creation. Alan Arkin is delightful as Cliff's mechanic buddy Peevy. He's the trusty sidekick, sure, and his character is cliché ridden, but he owns it. Jennifer Connelly is magnificent here. She has that throwaway stock role of the love interest here, but she makes Jenny lovable and relatable and memorable. She is probably my favorite thing about this movie. Timothy Dalton is every bit dashing as he is sinister; truly a memorable and respectable villainous turn.

`The Rocketeer' is jam packed with action and adventure and is seriously tailor-made for each and every young boy (and all of us `men' who want to embrace our inner `boy'). It's fun and exciting and thrilling and just all around great entertainment. It's a shame that this franchise didn't take off. A `Rocketeer' trilogy would have been amazing (at least to me) and much preferred to some of the films that get made these days. It may not have been embraced at the time, but that doesn't mean we can't embrace it today. This is a classic example of smart and refreshing family entertainment that holds up even today amidst a world of computer generated pirate ships and elf princesses. June 20, 2008

In light of Ironman's success, revisit Rocketeer

Ironman has been a big success, with its big budget effects, but my group of teenagers were recently smitten by Rocketeer. (I was using the Region 2 DVD which has a colorful, widescreen transfer.) Jack Horner's rousing score still stirs my blood -- enough that I bought the CD. One reviewer from Texas thinks that Jenny's cleavage is a bit too expansive for young boys, but this is a cartoon brought to life, and, as in Roger Rabbit, many things seem exaggerated. The reference to Howard Hughes' Spruce Goose is lost on the current teen generation ("She really does fly!"), but the sheer joy of the film, as exemplified by the Rocketeer skimming across a pond, then uttering the best line in the film, "I like it!" is something any age can appreciate. My kids applauded Rocketeer at the end, just as did the Ironman audience. Disney ought to re-release it on the big screen. June 13, 2008

Saturday Matinee

Just as I remembered it at the theater.

Having grown up in the lead generation with television, I have a great fondness for the the movies, and movie serials of the late 1930s and early 1940s (Flash Gordon, Don Winslow of the Coast Guard, etc.) which were pretty much all that was available in the way of TV programming then.

The Rocketeer reflects the simpliticy, moral values, and conviction to triumph over the Axis powers that drove these pictures. You knew if our fate was entrusted to a lanterned jaw hero in jodpurs, riding boots and a leather bomber jacket, everything would turn out right.

And unlike the orginal serials, the acting in the Rocketeer is pretty good. Timothy Dalton makes a particularly smarmy villian, and Alan Arkin a great 'Mr. Science' side-kick (look out Dr, Zarkov). Both leads are also very good.

While this was not the crispest DVD I've seen, I certainly found it more than acceptable. May 9, 2008

Loved this movie

The movie was a favorite of mine during the childhood of my daughter. I had it on LASER DISC, and we watched it often.

The cast was terrific and the use of a resurrected Rondo Hatton "The Creeper" as the huge villain was brilliant.

I've always wished that Timothy Dalton would have done more Bond films and more swash buckler type films. He would have been great in The Princess Bride!

Jennifer Connelly is beautiful chubby or skinny, and Alan Arkin always turns in a great performance.

No doubt my rating and memories of this movie are influenced by the great times with my daughter.

The Movie gets a FIVE STAR from me.

The Transfer is VERY POOR and a POX on DISNEY. The LASER DISC is so much better in quality. No excuse for this.

I give it a charitable THREE STARS because DISNEY has enough problems with Hanna Montana's photos.

Overall FOUR STARS. April 28, 2008

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