The Rocketeer




House? We don't got a house. We got a gazebo.

Ironically it seems that the graphic novel (one of which this movie was based off of) is becoming popular in Hollywood. Especially if it has anything to do with Frank Miller.

After Cliff Secord (Bill Campbell), a pilot in the 30's, loses his shot at the Nationals, he discovers a stolen rocket pack in his hangar. So, against the better advice of his pal Peevy (Alan Arkin), Cliff decides to keep it to earn some lettuce. The trouble is everyone is after it, including the Valentine (Paul Sorvino) gang and the Feds. Soon, Cliff's girlfriend Jenny (Jennifer Connelly) is caught up in it as well.

Joe Johnston surprisingly brings this homage to 30's serials to life with all the essentials: square jawed hero, beautiful damsel in distress, and plenty of action. The Nazis count as bonus points. It's a fun, well-written escapist affair that's family friendly and actually outclasses most modern action flicks. The lines from Peevy are especially great. Considering it was only 1991, the special effects, including scenes involving the rocket, are top notch, and at times "edge of your seat" isn't too much of a stretch. There's plenty of rocketing, guns and the aforementioned Nazis to keep even the most cagey preoccupied. Still, there are a couple of the expected lame lines required for it to be an American blockbuster and there's not anything much deeper attempted than saving the girl and the day. James Horner, on the other hand, contributes a memorable, if slightly recycled, score.

Bill Campbell didn't get a whole lot of praise for this, but he's playing a bit part after all. His character is supposed to be rash, optimistic and a little naive. Jennifer Connelly is quite beautiful and capable on her own, and not in the modern girl-can-handle-a-gun notion. Timothy Dalton looks to be having fun as the ultra trite evil actor, and Paul Sorvino is always a great gangster. It's Alan Arkin playing Cliff's older friend/side kick who really steals the show. Perfect is a word often thrown around, but he perfectly pulls off Peevy, the sarcastic mentor type.

Nostalgia certainly plays a big part in this fantasized take on a by-gone Hollywood era. The Rocketeer actually remains one of the best examples of an adapted comic book style.



-The Gnome