The Rocketeer (1991) Review

 

The Rocketeer (1991)

The Rocketeer follows Cliff Secord, a cocky pilot who stumbles upon a jetpack, strapping it on to become the Rocketeer. When a group of Nazis catch wind of it however, he must save his girl and the world in keeping it out of their hands.

I’ve always had a particular fascination for the Rocketeer, ever since getting my hands on one of his comics and seeing the stunning artwork by Alex Ross. So seeing it brought to life in such a way was actually quite cool, acting as an inspiring and riveting WW2 era drama. My usual issue with period pieces, particularly within the superhero genre, are that they sometimes introduce totally impossible technology for the time, which often crushes my suspension of disbelief. This though, keeps it intact, expertly utilizing the time period and Cliff’s background as a pilot to make the movie make sense within the context of a flying jetpack man (even suiting him up in 30s era flight gear). I really admired their dedication to making this look and feel like a comic book adaption, even carrying along the hope and heroism such a character commands.

As for the villain(s), we get a lot of interesting foils but it’s the undercover Nazi/actor in Neville Sinclair who takes the film up many notches. He’s charismatic, badass, and cunning from the start. While he doesn’t pose too much of a threat, I do like him as a villain if anything because of his unpredictability.

The cast is filled out rather nicely as well, featuring Alan Arkin, Tiny Ron Taylor, Jennifer Connelly, Timothy Dalton, and Billy Campbell. Campbell is pretty standard, not shining, but also not disappointing in the slightest as the titular hero. Dalton however, really brings it, bringing so much of his Bond-like charm and charisma to this role.

The Rocketeer, directed by Joe Johnston (in what was likely a walking resume for his hiring on as the director of 2011’s Captain America), is a fascinating period piece that somehow blends mobsters, Nazi’s, cops, and superheroes in what certainly feels like the prototype for the success of Disney’s MCU properties, being spectacularly ahead of it’s time as a superhero movie.

7.4/10