In honor of my son’s birthday this week, my DVD pick is one of his childhood favorites: Rocketeer. Based on a comic book that recreated the deco feel of the pre-WWII era, this Disney movie has a 1940s feel — with 1990s special effects. Cliff Secord (Bill Campbell) is a stunt flyer who discovers a contraption designed by Howard Hughes that, when strapped to his back and combined with a helmet for steering, allows him to fly. The equipment is being sought by the U.S. government and by thugs in the employ of sleek Neville Sinclair (Timothy Dalton), a swashbuckling movie star and Nazi sympathizer. Not a box office success when it first opened (“Terminator 2” opened the same week), it has been more successful on DVD because of its exciting story, top-notch performances (with Bill Campbell, sometime James Bond Timothy Dalton and Oscar-winners Jennifer Connelly and Alan Arkin), and gorgeous visual design and effects. It’s is the kind of movie they say they don’t make anymore, an old-fashioned popcorn pleasure with action, adventure, romance, a zeppelin, a pretty girl, and a guy who straps a rocket on his back and soars into the sky. NOTE: The movie has some comic-book style violence and some tense and scary moments. One of the bad guys has a misshapen face that may be upsetting to younger kids.
I remember vividly when this movie came out … it was going to be the next blockbuster/franchise. And then … nothing. Glad to see it’s found a second life on DVD.
This movie has a “Boys Life” (the magaizine) kind of charm. It was fun – no classic or even cult favorite – but just a fun movie. As with so many of Disney’s live action films, they misjudged its impact.
This is one of my favorite movies. Enjoyable action, adventure, and heros and villians that cannot be mistaken for each other. There are plenty of twists and turns without the story becoming difficult or tedious. Heroism, honor, and Americanism are all extolled while treachery, National Socialism, and tyranny are soundly rebuked. My kids enjoyed the movie, watching it more than once. Two thumbs up!
Thanks, Randy! I’m so glad your family loves this gem as much as ours does.
I remember vividly when this movie came out … it was going to be the next blockbuster/franchise. And then … nothing. Glad to see it’s found a second life on DVD.
This movie has a “Boys Life” (the magaizine) kind of charm. It was fun – no classic or even cult favorite – but just a fun movie. As with so many of Disney’s live action films, they misjudged its impact.
This is one of my favorite movies. Enjoyable action, adventure, and heros and villians that cannot be mistaken for each other. There are plenty of twists and turns without the story becoming difficult or tedious. Heroism, honor, and Americanism are all extolled while treachery, National Socialism, and tyranny are soundly rebuked. My kids enjoyed the movie, watching it more than once. Two thumbs up!
Thanks, Randy! I’m so glad your family loves this gem as much as ours does.