Having discovered a top secret jetpack (like that used by James Bond in 'Thunderball'), it is up to a pilot to keep the device away from the clutches of Nazi spies in this action comedy set in Hollywood during the late 1930s. The jetpack is ultimately little more than a Hitchcockian McGuffin with rocketeering aerial theatrics surprisingly minimal, however, the film works magnificently thanks to its accurate portrait of the era in question. The movie provides a fascinating backstage insight into the filming of an Errol Flynn type swashbuckler and Timothy Dalton is excellent playing a Hollywood star based on Flynn himself. There are also fun brief turns by Terry O'Quinn as Howard Hughes, Bob Leeman as W.C. Fields and Gene Daily as Clark Gable in a blink-and-miss-it performance. The film is genuinely funny at times too; "you steer, I'll push" shouts lead actor Bill Campbell before making a stalling truck speed away, while Dalton's adamant claim "I do my own stunts" is a fun reference to his recently completed stint as Bond. It is no surprise though to learn that the film is quite divisive. With thugs who are more goofy than menacing and an awfully sweet central romance, the film well earns its 'family entertainment' rating, however, the historical nature of the story with plugs to old Hollywood actually makes the film more suitable to adults. Whatever the case, it is likely that all sorts of viewers will at least take something out of 'The Rocketeer'. The flag-waving patriotism is admittedly hard to swallow at times, but beyond this an amusing film awaits.

Despite being produced by Walt Disney Pictures, this is not really a movie for kids. It is actually quite violent for a Disney movie and primarily aimed at a male audience. Presumably, the Disney tag was one of the reasons why the movie failed to become a box office success back in 1991 as people mistook it for a kids' movie.'The Rocketeer' is far from that! In fact, it is a very entertaining and fun adventure movie reminiscent of the Indiana Jones trilogy with its Nazi themes, the television spin off 'The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones'—in which this movie's director, Joe Johnston, was involved, too—and also of the old James Bond movies from the 1960s and 1970s with their exaggeratedly quirky villains. Coincidentally or maybe intentionally, the movie's main villain is portrayed by Timothy Dalton, who took on the role of James Bond two times and is excellent here as the charming but fanatical antagonist.While the screenplay could have been better, the great actors and especially the fantastic, action-packed and visually striking finale make up for what the plot is lacking in direction. Joe Johnston is a capable director with a distinct style that is present in virtually all of the movies he has directed, including 'Captain America: The First Avenger' (2011), which is similar to this movie in a number of aspects.The cast of 'The Rocketeer' is simply superb and includes a number of very fine character actors and some big names, too. I mean, look at that excellent cast list: Alan Arkin, Paul Sorvino, Terry O'Quinn, Jon Polito, Ed Lauter, William Sanderson, Margo Martindale... These actors have been in like every movie ever made! Billy Campbell is decent in the lead role, even though he is not the greatest actor around, but he carries this movie quite well. It makes you wonder why his film career never really took off afterward. He is familiar of course, mostly from television, but he is not a big name. The beautiful and classy Jennifer Connelly is the icing on the cake of the cast. She is a very good actress and an absolute delight to watch. What a mighty fine lady!

This is one of those that Everybody Missed. Critics and Audiences were Lukewarm about this Fantastic, Fun, Family Film. What it lacks in Edge it makes up for in Warm, Vibrant, Stylish, Retro Art Deco Appeal.Nostalgia plays an important part in the Enjoyment of the Movie. Dave Stevens Comics were all about Nostalgia. The Thirties Serials, Hollywood Stars, and of course Betty Page. Jennifer Connelly Plays "Bettie Page" the Rocketeer's Girlfriend (although the name was changed) and Curvacious Pin-Up Queen.The rest of the Cast is Highlighted by some Good Actors like Timothy Dalton as an Errol Flynn Type, Paul Sorvino as a Patriotic Gangster, and Alan Arkin as the Titular Character's Mentor and Friend. Kudos must also be Awarded to Terry O' Quinn as Howard Hughes.Billy Campbell makes for a Stiff Lead, but it is the Production Design and Innocent Appeal that is the Charm of the Underrated Film. It Looks Great and captures the Time precisely. Even the Mood is Right. Maybe not the Mood of the Real World of the Late Thirties but certainly the Mood of Hollywood Films at the Time.There are Nazis, Hydrogen Blimps, spitting Machine Guns, Cool and Sleek Little Airplanes Zipping about, and of course the Rocket Pack that was on the Minds of Inventors and Pulp Sci-Fi Fanatics of the Era. There are other Details thrown in for Fun, like a Rondo Hatton (The Creeper) Lookalike, the Hollywoodland, OOOPS, Hollywood Sign, and More for the discovering Movie Goer. This Film along with "Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow" (2004) are Noble Box-Office Failures that are sure to, and have, found additional Fans as the Years Tick By. They are Entertaining Films with a Quality and wide Appeal that are Not as Common as They should be.

Formulaic and mostly dull. Pretty much your standard action-adventure story. Has a few interesting / odd diversions here and there but mostly fairly standard stuff. Plot, while seemingly sci fi, is actually pretty much a conventional boys-own action-adventure story.Action sequences are OK, but, once again, nothing special. The final scenes are decent though.Kids will probably like it: it has the don't-worry-about-the-plot holes- and-implausibilities thing going for it that children like.For adults, well adult males, the only reason to watch this is Jennifer Connelly...