Retro Movie Review – The Rocketeer

MAN, I love this movie.

And I sometimes think I’m the only one who does.

Backstory: I saw the film on opening day, 1991. And was entranced. The ’30s sets, costumes, and dialogue. The wonderful acting by then-Bind Timothy Dalton and Billy Campbell. The fantastic and super-hot Jennifer Connelly (pre-Requiem for a Dream). The action. The effects. The fantastic score from James Horner. Paul Sorvino. Terry O’Quinn as Howard Hughes, for pete’s sake.

And a guy with a working rocket pack. Just, damn.

But, as a lot of movie fans know, I was in the minority. The movie bombed. Not as bad a bomb as Disney’s previous pulp big budget attempt Dick Tracy, but it still underperformed expectations.

Well, I rewatched The Rocketeer just now, with my sons watching along with me, and I am still confused. The movie still holds up (all sons liked it), and, if anything, has aged well, compared with the recent summer movies that are both brain-dead and disposable (Pirates, I’m talkin’ about you).

I think, in a very simple theory, it works for me in a direct way. The movie displays the emotion of wide-eyed wonder better than almost any movie I’ve ever seen. WOW, a guy can strap on a rocket-pack and fly! GEE, that is super-cool! HEY, there’s Howard Hughes!

The only recent movie that can compare, honestly, is Sky Captain and The World of Tommorrow. And I now there are rabid fans out there who adore the film, much like I love The Rocketeer (hi Jeff!).

It’s sad, in a way, that certain films get the gold treatment, with constant hype and rerelease, and hidden gems like this one get ignored or neglected. Lots of fabulous work from many many artists are never going to be exposed to this generation (heck, amazing catalog titles from the 70s are being shelved with little focus or fanfare).

I guess it’s just the circle of life, Simba. Anyway, if you are inclined, check out The Rocketeer. I hope you like it as much as I.

CLIPS:

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