Review of The Rocketeer (1991) by Glenn L — 24 Apr 2010

I think one reason why this film works as well as it does is because it was made (by Disney) with a family film sensibility. Dick Tracy, which came out the previous year with greater box office success, was overstylized, played too much into caricature and was too in love with its big name cast - the whole thing felt superficial and even somewhat smug. This film was more humble, earnest and sincere, both story-wise and with its characters. The movie has a kind of wholesome, cornpone "awe shucks" look and feel; that it was set in 1940s Hollywood with a then-undeveloped surrounding countryside - with airstrips and roadside diners - really added to the overall affect. The best thing about the film, in my opinion, is the way it plays with, and combines, the folklores of secret Nazi warfare and Howard Hughes aviation. I really dig the scene where Hughes shows our hero the animated Nazi propaganda film with thousands of German soldiers fitted with rocket packs, flying in unison. The movie is nostalgically patriotic in that way; the Rocketeer, with Ruger in hand, standing in front of the American flag before blasting off was a definitive shot. The whole zeppelin sequence was pretty sensational and gives the audience the best bang for their buck, but was appropriately saved-and-paced for the climax.

I still think this film lacks the artful lyricism and sheer filmmaking prowess of the Indiana Jones movies, but that's hardly an anchoring criticism. As far as I'm concerned, it remains one of the better pulp/matinee serial throwbacks ever made. It's also a great movie for kids.