Movies-TV

Good film, but stereotypical and forgettable.

This film is just one average addition to the already gigantic collection of movies involving Nazi spies. The plot is good, but sometimes difficult to believe. As for the late-1930's atmosphere, it was quite successfully recreated by using vintage airplanes and Cole Porter music.

The story takes place in 1938, in Los Angeles. The plot revolves around the search for a portable rocket, an ultra-secret experiment (by no one else than Howard Hughes) that could have military importance. The FBI tries to get it back, but the Nazi spies want to get their hands on it. Pilot Cliff Secord finds it but his life, and that of his girlfriend, are in danger as a result of the discovery.

The main Nazi spy is, in the story, film actor Neville Sinclair (Timothy Dalton, very good in the part), helped by gangsters under the leadership of Eddie Valentine (who would eventually turn against Sinclair when learning that the latter works for the Nazis).

The film has a relatively interesting plot, but is however very stereotypical, starting with the character of Neville Sinclair. Maybe I'm wrong here, but why was he named Neville ? Does it have anything to do with British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain, famous for his waving of a paper signed by Hitler after his return from the Munich conference in September 1938 ? And on which actor (if any) is Sinclair's character based ? On Clark Gable (whom Sinclair briefly encounters at the restaurant) ? On Douglas Fairbanks (for the type of films Sinclair plays in) ? I would personally say Errol Flynn, who has been accused by one author of being a Nazi sympathizer and a spy (see "Errol Flynn: the Untold Story", by Charles Higham, who actually does not prove anything in his very bad book). Furthermore, Flynn's most famous film, "The Adventures of Robin Hood", closely resembles the film Neville Sinclair is starring in (a swashbuckling movie), and was released in... 1938!

As for the exploding airship, it is obvious that the inspiration came from the ill-fated Hindenburg, which exploded in 1937. The Hindenburg, however, exploded over New Jersey, not California.

One of the most improbable scenes in the entire film takes place just before the arrival of the zeppelin, at the observatory. When Valentine switches allegiances, dozens of fully equipped Germans get out of the wood nearby and surround him. Really, is it California or Germany ?

The film looks good while watching it, but there is nothing left to remember it when the end credits are over.

Before 'The Aviator,' there was 'The Rocketeer.'

'The Rocketeer' is a really fine piece of escapist cinema that, in slightly better world, would have made a lot more money for the studio. But to the misfortune of Disney, this film was released about 10 minutes before 'Terminator 2.' The producers of 'T2' cynically calculated that the summertime movie-going public, dominated as it is by adolescent males, would prefer the steroid-saturated sadism of Arnold Schwarzenegger. 'T2' stole the audience from this film, and 'The Rocketeer' quickly faded into relative obscurity. (Based on the box office of similar fantasy pieces set in the 1930's, such as 'The Shadow,' 'The Phantom,' and 'Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow,' it might also be true that the audience for retro-thrills has dwindled. Too bad, because those films were good. The horrid 2005 version of 'King Kong,' set in the 1930's, was profitable. But I attribute that to the effectiveness of the studio machine and to the personality cult around director Peter Jackson.) But 'The Rocketeer' is, of course, vastly superior to 'T2,' and deserves to be ranked as a classic within the genre of comic book, fantasy, and adventure movies. If your taste runs more toward 'The Adventures of Robin Hood' or the Indiana Jones films than, say, the 'Die Hard' series or Steven Segal, then 'The Rocketeer' is for you.Also, if you thought 'The Aviator,' particularly the airplane sequences were cool, you might get a bang out of this. Howard Hughes plays an important part of the plot, and there is an 'in' joke for you.In addition, fans of old movie serials and old sci-fi should love this. Odds are you already know that the original inspiration for the character of the Rocketeer was the 1949 Republic serial 'King of the Rocketmen.'

wonderful, old-fashioned movie

I've always surprised when people don't like this movie. It was one of my favorites at the time, and it has aged very well. It's a real "retro 30's" picture, like "The Shadow", instead of being a modern reinterpretation of such movies like the Indiana Jones films (which I also like very much). The reviews cover the plot enough, and there are no real surprises here, but it's great family fun. My kids really love this movie, and I end up watching it every year or two, and I have never tired of it. When it came out there were apparently sequels planned, but it got killed at the box office by T2, which ran over everything that summer, so Disney never did anything with the show. They have recycled the atmosphere and the music in the "Soaring over California" ride at DCA, and I have to say it always makes me wistful that the movie never got a sequel.By the way, the movie doesn't follow the comics that closely, which I don't mind, but if you are a purist and a fan of the "graphic novels", you might keep that in mind.

So underrated it's sad

I have always loved this movie. I will never stop loving this movie. It reminds me of the time when directors made film with a love for the craft as opposed to these hacks that make films for the love of money. In this day and time you will rarely find a movie that is this fun to watch and has a good story to boot.

The plot is simple enough: Cliff Secord(Bill Campbell) finds a rocket in his airplane. This rocket is sought after by mobsters and a Nazi spy working undercover as an actor named Neville Sinclair(Timothy Dalton). Cliff uses the rocket to thwart Sinclair's gang.

Bill Campbell is perfect as Cliff Secord. He's headstrong but still immensely likable. Jennifer Connelly is great as his girlfriend Jenny Blake and Alan Arkin gives a strong performance as Cliff's mentor but wise best friend Peevy. Timothy Dalton gives one of his best performances to date as Neville Sinclair. Neville Sinclair is a great villain without being over-the-top with it. I've always like Timothy Dalton as an actor even when he played James Bond. Paul Sorvino's role as the mobster Eddie Valentine shouldn't go unnoticed either.

The thing I like most about The Rocketeer is that its a fun movie. Watching Cliff test the rocket for the first time remains in my mind in a place so snug. The director respects the time period(1930s) without contradicting it(like a few directors that do period pieces tend to do). In short its a blast from the 90s that is more enjoyable than the overrated dross that is out now. Its definitely worth a second look.

Before I leave I will say this: do not take directors like Joe Johnston for granted or you will be responsible for the onslaught of Follywood hacks. I've seen Joe Johnston's whole catalog of films and have yet to find one stinker among them. He's earned my trust and how many directors can you say that about? Not many. In conclusion support directors that respect the art of film-making or you will be sorry when all that is left are the hacks. Think about it.

Pure Adventure and Fun

The Rocketeer was supposed to be big for everyone involved. It was supposed to turn Bill Campbell into the next Tom Cruise, Jennifer Connelly into Julia Roberts, and Joe Johnston into Steven Spielberg. No one knows why it never made it, but everyone who watches it has to admit one thing; it sure is entertaining.

The Rocketeer had state-of-the-art effects for its time, and if you aren't too cynical, you can still enjoy them. This is a rollicking, Indiana Jones-esque adventure with the requisite Nazis, feds, and damsel in distress. The performances are quite well done, especially with Alan Arkin as an engineer and Paul Sorvino as a patriotic mobster. Both of these fine actors give so much charisma in their performances that they steal every scene they're in. Connelly and Campbell are fine giving their lines, and Timothy Dalton is very slick and evil as Neville Sinclair, which is truly the best madeup name for a Hollywood actor that I've ever heard of.

Joe Johnston has always been a very visual director who uses special effects to his advantage, and he doesn't dissapoint with this movie. The comedy of some situations is held up just right and works very well with the incredible pyrotechnics. Even though there really aren't any camera angles that we haven't seen yet, Johnston still has enough of a mind to keep the pacing up and work the camera to his and his stars advantages.

Overall, The Rocketeer is incredibly entertaining. It's got thrills, romance, and adventure. It's everything it was intended to be. Besides The Ghost and the Darkness, this film seems to be one of the most overlooked films that I've ever seen. If you haven't seen it, give it a chance and I promise you won't be dissapointed.

Great fun

I am 15, and this is one of the first movies I can remember seeing in a theater. It is a great Indiana Jones-style action adventure that needs to be taken as good fun, excitement, action. The characters are fairly convincing, the plot moves along at a good clip, and the blimp finale is incredible. The most memorable scene, however, has to be that great moment when the Feds and the gangsters team up to fight the Nazis. The main gangster and the main FBI agent are both standing side by side shooting at Nazis. Suddenly both of them stop and exchange a look that says it all about American patriotism. Almost brings a tear to my eye thinking about it.

A great family film

THE ROCKETEER is a great, exciting, retro movie that simply had to be made; it's a thrill ride for people of all ages. What makes this movie really special is its spin on the American Dream - a working-class man during the Depression finds a rocket pack that turns him into a hero. Soon he's battling gangsters, Nazis, and an actor/spy played by Timothy Dalton. Well-done by everyone involved, and without a lot of the cruel irony and mean-spiritedness of so many other action movies. If you want to see a high-octane action film that never compromises its innocence, delight, or humor, see this one.

A lighthearted romp

Disjointed thoughts: More like three and a half stars. The joy of this film is in the details. Too bad they couldn't have had the creator of the rocket pack be not Howard Hughes, but Doc Savage (as in the graphic novel by Dave Stevens). The moment between the FBI agent and the gangster gets me every time. Strangely, the scenes where the Rocketeer is flying are the least entertaining of the movie, but I guess they were required. Good picture quality, but often the sound would come out of the left speaker (of my two-speaker system) when, e.g., a plane was on the right side of the screen. As the plane zoomed off to the left, the sound went to the right. I checked my cables and they're plugged in correctly, so it's confusing.

a blast from the past

This movie is one of my favorite movies. I have fond memories of my brother and I watching this movie over and over, and every time wishing we could fly like the rocketeer. I highly recommend this movie to anyone who's ever loved an adventure story set high in the skies. Plus, Jennifer Connelly and Billy Campbell are wonderful fun.

If you take it for what it is, it's a blast

I personally enjoy very much period adventures such as this that try to recapture the fun and innocence and pulse-pounding action of the old 30's and 40's serials. "The Rocketeer" makes a better stab than most. It really is a lot of fun. I especially liked Alan Arkin, who was perfectly cast. Jennifer Connelly is gorgeous, perfectly capturing the 40's look, the time when it seemed that all women were beautiful. I did notice Melora Hardin in a small role as the singer in the South Seas Club. I've had a small crush on her since she was on the 70's Saturday morning kids' show, "Thunder, the Super Horse". I figure she tried out for Connelly's role but didn't get it. She would have been great in the lead female role though.

Rocketeer to the rescue!!!

Oh yeah! I love, love, LOOOOVVVE this film!! The Rocketeer in my opinion was THE best film of 1991 (time sure flies, pardon the pun)! Based on the old comic book series by reknowned girlie pinup artist/graphic designer/comic artist, Dave Stevens, the Rocketeer was loosely inspired by the old Commander Cody TV series. The plot revolves around a dashing young stunt pilot down on his luck who happens to stumble upon a stolen experimental portable rocket pack that can be worn on the back allowing the wearer to fly. He now thinks that Lady Luck may have smiled on him at last. But unknownst to him, a whole bunch of other folks want the rocket pack as well including the Nazis and the mob! Now the chase really begins! The story is a rip roaring, rocket propelled adventure involving everything from international espionage, Howard Hughes, to Golden Age Hollywood. Tongue in the cheek, fast, and fun from beginning to end with a wonderfully rousing score, fantastic special effects, and action sequences that will take your breath away!!! This film is just WOW!!!

It should be noted that the love interest/heroine - Jenny, played by Jennifer Connelly was originally based on 50's pinup queen Bettie Page in the comics, but for copyright reasons was altered both in name and physical appearance for this movie.

Unfortunately, despite the rave reviews and enthusiastic audience response when the Rocketeer was first released, it was somewhat left behind in the dust by then summer juggernaught, Terminator 2, and largely neglected (earning a respectable but unimpressive $60 million, while the film costed $40 million). Sigh, there is truly no justice in the world. The producers later admitted to marketing the film wrong (it was a film for everyone, and not a Disney-ish kiddie movie), and not enough movie goers were lured in as a result. People simply don't know what they're missing, and that's a real shame! Don't make that mistake again! Get the film, see it, feel it, love it!!!!

Big boring rip-off

When this first came out in theaters, I searched and searched reviews and promo on the film to find one - just even one- reference to the film it rips off, the last of the great serials, Commando Cody and the Radar Men From the Moon.That serial made an easy transition to television, and was played every Saturday - some years every day - on television throughout the early 1960s. I sat glued whenever it was on. Commando Cody actually did look like he was flying! - But more importantly, being the last of the great serial heroes, his writers had learned from previous mistakes, not to let Cody or his friends - or his enemies - do any much talking. The serial was just one fist-fight, shoot-em-up-explosion after another; but, what made this important is that Cody thus had no time to doubt, to question, even to pose - he had to take decisive action at every minute - and he did! - this was no typical wimp (which by the mid-'60s were cluttering up comics, books, and films), this was a Man Of Action! And the second I recall ever seeing from popular culture (after Eliot Ness in the Untouchables).So I was originally pleased when it became obvious that the Disney/Spielberg people were going to put together a remake ... until I started noticing in all the hype, that nobody talked about it as a remake. In fact, nobody was mentioning Radarmen from the Moon at all. And by the time it was 'playing theaters everywhere', the horrible truth had sunk in - Hollywood was going to pretend that its real past - which was also part of my own history - never happened.Well, it DID happen. Which makes this remake - and a BAD remake at that.This is everything that Radarmen avoided - SLOW as mud; unnecessary pseudo-scientific explanations; a real wimp for a 'hero'; wretchedly mis-cast actors trying to come up with a good reason for being there; over-bloated cinematography and special-effects; uninteresting, mushy romance subplot; banalized nostalgia; patronizing to young viewers - everything that I loathed on television that drove me to watch Commando Cody to begin with.This is not an action movie; Radarmen from the Moon is an action-movie; this was just a bad excuse to print up promotional paper-cups at fast-food restaurants.Skip it.

Homage to the Saturday Serials.

Vastly entertaining and exciting in the tradition of "Indiana Jones", "The Rocketeer" is one of Disney's greatest live-action masterpieces. Pilot Bill Campbell and best friend Alan Arkin discover a rocket pack in the late-1930s which is wanted by the Nazis. Now the chase is on as European actor Timothy Dalton and American mafia boss Paul Sorvino start trying to get the pack back. Jennifer Connelly is also along for the thrill-ride as Campbell's beautiful girlfriend. A great piece of entertainment that never feels dated. 5 stars out of 5.

A cool flying hero, a villainous version of Errol Flynn as the main villain, Paul Sorvino as a gangster boss, Nazi's fighting in Los Angeles. Yes, it's entertainment alright!

I have to say that I was both surprised and disappointed to see that this movie only has a 'low' 5.9 rating on here, at the moment. This movie is pure and good entertainment, how someone could not enjoy this movie really puzzles me. It has all the elements in it to make a movie entertaining.Perhaps to the most important element to make a movie entertaining are the characters. The characters have to be fun, likable and stereotypical over-the-top. "The Rocketeer" has characters like that. Bruce Campbell is a great heroic leading man and Timothy Dalton for once plays the main villain. He is a villainous version of action/adventure from the '30's and '40's superstar Errol Flynn. His fun and almost indestructible henchman is a Rondo Hatton like character, who takes on a small army of feds with just only his 2 guns. Other great character in the movie are the gangster boss Eddie Valentine played by Paul Sorvino, Howard Hughes played by Terry O'Quinn, Alan Arkin as A. 'Peevy' Peabody and a young Jennifer Connelly as the love interest and dame in distress.The story involves flying stunts, Nazi's, feds, gangsters and Hollywood. It all forms a perfect combination in the story and together it makes "The Rocketeer" an entertaining movie, that in terms of entertainment is on the same level as the Indiana Jones movies. Joe Johnston surely doesn't make 'great' movies but yet he knows how to make a movie entertaining, which still makes him one of the better directors. The movie is beautifully crafted and told. The time period the movie is set in (the late '30's) work wonderful for the story and gives the movie a great adventurous atmosphere. The sets and costumes also contribute to this. The great musical score by James Horner makes the movie even better than it already is and it is still one of his better works.The movie has some great action and adventurous sequences that are highly original. Also the 'early' special effects are above par and still look acceptable enough by todays standards. The ending sequences in the zeppelin is especially great, spectacular and unforgettableGranted that the story and acting performances are all quite simple but that at the very same time is part of the charm of this movie.Delicious over-the-top entertainment.8/10

Loveable and charming

I first saw this movie at the age of 4 in 1991 when it came out in theatres - I own the movie and I've loved it ever since. I find that with other movies, I get bored and can't watch them again, but with this movie, I can watch it over and over. I really recommend it!

The Rocketeer Rocks

This is one of the truly underrated films of the 90's. It flailed at the box-office under the weight of T-2, but it's a great film. Up there with the Indy trilogy for action FX and style, not to be missed. Jennifer Connely is a total megababe and Timothy Dalton is a wonderful bad-guy.

A cash-in of the Indiana Jones films.

The Rocketeer tries its best to cash in on the Indiana Jones type film, but where as Indiana Jones used the 1930's as a model, the Rocketeer tried not only to emulate it, but to use it as its own premise.Sadly this does not work, it makes the film slower and its take ages for it to get off the ground.The plot is about a Rocket (presumably made by the Nazis, although this is never made clear) that could lead the Nazis to victory - because Rocketmen could take over the world (yeah - sure).If you ignore the plot and the useless blonde hero who walks around feeling down or remorseless all the time...then you'll soon find that the villain, played excellently by Timothy Dalton, steals the show - literally.His charm, presence and indeed acting lifts the whole film and its rather sluggish pace. Dalton's bad guy is a Nazi agent trying at all costs to get the Rocket, unfortunately the hero has the rocket, and Dalton's men who are the mafia seem reluctant to get this rocket.The way in which Dalton used his character's "acting" to get to Jeffier "I do nothing but smile pretty and wear revealing clothing" Connolley was eye candy and you knew he was the bad guy.Anyway, the film ends in an over-the-top styled ending on a Hydrogen hot air ship over the sign "Hollywoodland" and gives an idea of how the word "land" disappeared from the Hollywood landscape.The film is a good yarn that can be enjoyed by all the family, but I wouldn't recommend that you watch the film because you'll probably fall asleep too early to see Dalton stealing the show.

An Excellent Science Fiction Flick

The Rocketeer is an excellent science fiction film. It begins when a pilot played by the underrated actor Bill Campbell finds a rocket suit. Turns out that the suit was created by scientists working for Howard Hughes who is working with J. Edgar Hoover on a project to combat the Nazi threat. Timothy Dalton shines as the evil Nazi spy and Paul Sorvino plays a most convincing Mafia boss. The action is fast and furious and is never dull. The music and acting are great too.

My rating: 5 out of 5

How fantasy thrillers should be made

Talented actors who care more about performance than their own star power, charming characters, an insidiously evil bad guy with an unnerving henchman, and a plot that screams excitement, this is a stunning and somewhat forgotten example of how to make a great blockbuster. Why it wasn't as big as 'Raiders of the Lost Ark' is a mystery and a tragedy...

Terrific entertainment

(4.5/5 stars) This is a fantasy film set during World War II, with the Nazis chasing jet-propelled backpack technology that will enable their airmen to land in enemy territory. There is even a mock Nazi propaganda film to illustrate the awesome power of this new weapon. In fact, the film really blurs fantasy with reality, with appearances by W.C. Fields and Cab Calloway, among others. Timothy Dalton plays Neville Sinclair, an actor whose life bears an uncanny resemblance to that of Errol Flynn's. Fiction mixed with reality can be amusing because it offers an imaginative alternative to straight fiction and non-fiction. On the other hand, "The Da Vinci Code," "JFK" and the current Bush administration have all proven mixing fantasy and reality can produce downright ugly results. There is some very good action as The Rocketeer, played by the dashing and handsome Bill Campbell, eludes the Nazis and attempts to foil their plot. Jennifer Connelly is radiant as his love interest, Jenny Blake. This is the type of movie where gray areas do not exist; everything is either black or white, good or bad. Along with excellent sets, wardrobes, styles, etc., this aids the film in establishing its nostalgic, 1940s feel. This is a very fun movie for most of the family. Even though there is little objectionable material, some themes might be better suited for ages ten and up.