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Movies / On DVD / The Rocketeer
The Rocketeer

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The Rocketeer (1991)

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63 %
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Reviews Counted:48

Fresh:30

Rotten:18

Average Rating:5.9/10

Consensus: An action-packed, if anachronistic, look back at pulp matinee serials, The Rocketeer may ring hollow with viewers expecting more than simple fun and gee-whiz special effects.

Runtime: 1 hr 49 mins

Genre: Science-Fiction/Fantasy

Synopsis: In the tense atmosphere preceding World War II, millionaire Howard Hughes develops the invention of the century: a high-powered mini jet-pack. Nazi agents steal a prototype of the device, but lose... In the tense atmosphere preceding World War II, millionaire Howard Hughes develops the invention of the century: a high-powered mini jet-pack. Nazi agents steal a prototype of the device, but lose it on an isolated airstrip during a frantic chase by feds. Aspiring pilot Cliff Secord accidentally finds the pack, and soon he's zooming through the air, spinning, flipping and crashing into the occasional barn. But when Cliff uses it to rescue an unconscious pilot plummeting to his death, the press dubs him "the rocketeer" and Nazis are hot on his trail. Errol Flynnesque actor and Nazi agent Neville Sinclair hires gangsters to go after him. Devious Sinclair will stop at nothing to secure the invention for the fascists -- including kidnapping Cliff's girlfriend, Jenny. With flair and courage, Cliff dons his rocketeer outfit and saves the free world from the encroaching Nazi menace. [More]

Starring: Bill Campbell, Alan Arkin, Jennifer Connelly, Paul Sorvino

Starring: Bill Campbell, Alan Arkin, Jennifer Connelly, Paul Sorvino, Timothy Dalton, Ele Keats

Director: Joe Johnston

Director: Joe Johnston
Composer: James Horner

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Release:

Aug 17, 1999

[DVD Details]
 
 
  • The Rocketeer
  • The discovery of a top-secret jetpack hurls test pilot Cliff Secord into a daring adventure of mystery, suspense, and intrigue! Cliff encounters an assortment of ruthless villains, led by a Hollywood screen star who's a secret Nazi spy (Timothy Dalton). With the help of his actress girlfriend, the young pilot battles enormous odds to defeat his foes who are anxious to use the device in an evil plan to rule the world! The dangerous mission transforms the ordinary young man into an extraordinary hero!
  • Source: Buena Vista Home Entertainment
  •  
     
     
     

    Reviews for The Rocketeer

    • T-Meter Critics
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    1 - 20 (sorted by date)
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    Reviews
    Tomatometer Critic Review Category
    splat
    2/4

    The result is a movie that looks nice and moves along efficiently, but offers little reason for anyone to watch.

    Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Apr., 18 2007 01:31 PM

    TV Guide's Movie Guide

    tomato

    This $40 million adventure fantasy puts a shiny polish on familiar elements: airborne hero, damsel in distress, Nazi villains, 1930s Hollywood glamor, and dazzling special effects.

    Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Apr., 18 2007 01:29 PM

    Variety

    splat

    Jonathan Rosenbaum

    The whole thing is good-natured enough, but increasingly mechanical.

    Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Apr., 18 2007 01:28 PM

    Chicago Reader

    splat

    Geoff Andrew

    Neat idea, peachy visuals, but there ain't much else to grip the imagination.

    Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Jun., 24 2006 03:26 AM

    Time Out

    splat
    0/5

    Cole Smithey

    No review available.

    comment Comment | Nov., 06 2005 05:50 PM

    ColeSmithey.com

    splat
    2/5

    Chuck O'Leary

    No review available.

    comment Comment | Oct., 09 2005 08:22 PM

    Fantastica Daily

    tomato
    3/5

    Dan Fienberg

    Truer to the old school Saturday matinee spirit than any modern film this side of Indiana Jones

    comment Comment | Sep., 10 2005 11:50 AM

    Zap2it.com

    tomato
    4/5

    Michael Szymanski

    No review available.

    comment Comment | Sep., 02 2005 11:30 PM

    International Press Academy

    splat
    2/5

    Emanuel Levy

    No review available.

    comment Comment | Aug., 20 2005 12:22 PM

    EmanuelLevy.Com

    tomato
    B-

    Mark Pfeiffer

    The Rocketeer is a throwback to when movie heroes weren’t burdened by irony or existential angst.

    Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Aug., 08 2005 08:55 PM

    Reel Times: Reflections on Cinema

    tomato
    3/5

    Jules Brenner

    No review available.

    comment Comment | Feb., 18 2005 10:48 AM

    Cinema Signals

    tomato
    4/5

    Fr. Chris Carpenter

    No review available.

    comment Comment | Oct., 12 2004 03:23 PM

    Catholic Sun

    splat
    2.5/5

    Janet Maslin

    Plenty of energy has gone into making this a bustling, visually clever film with an amusing late-1930's stylishness, but the purpose of such effort is uncertain.

    Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Aug., 30 2004 10:16 PM

    New York Times

    splat
    2/5

    Ken Hanke

    Headache inducing superhero nonsense.

    comment Comment | May., 26 2004 12:43 PM

    Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

    tomato
    3/5

    Lori Hoffman

    No review available.

    comment Comment | Feb., 05 2004 12:44 PM

    Atlantic City Weekly

    splat
    2/5

    Greg Maki

    No review available.

    comment Comment | Jan., 07 2004 03:11 PM

    Star-Democrat (Easton, MD)

    tomato
    4/5

    Michael Dequina

    No review available.

    comment Comment | Jan., 02 2004 11:05 PM

    TheMovieReport.com

    tomato
    4/5

    Blake Davis

    An overlooked classic that is alive with the heroics and nostalgia of big-studio era Hollywood.

    comment Comment | Dec., 19 2003 07:25 AM

    KFOR Channel 4 News

    tomato
    4/5

    Carol Cling

    No review available.

    comment Comment | Dec., 12 2003 11:20 AM

    Las Vegas Review-Journal

    tomato
    3/5

    Ryan Cracknell

    No review available.

    comment Comment | Nov., 11 2003 10:00 PM

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