The Rocketeer

Howdy do. Today I thought we would hit the way back machine to an adventure with a costumed do-gooder that hides his identity to protect his loved ones, battle the mob and Nazis. No time for love, Dr. Jones. So strap on your pack, grab your helmet and pack a decent 1911. This is The Rocketeer.

I'm just borrowing Commander Cody's gear.

Based on the series created by Dave Stevens (artist for Tarzan Graphic Novels, Storyboards for Super Friends and The Godzilla Power Hour) giving this down on his luck pilot that discovers a rocket pack and proceeds to fight crime and Nazis. Disney bought the rights to this particular 1930s style Pulp Comic in 1985 where it stayed into development until 1991.

Cliff Secord (Bill Campbell of Dynasty, Once and Again, Bram Stoker's Dracula, Menno's Mind, Enough and The 4400) a happy-go-lucky pilot whose pockets are thread bared is trying to woo his aspiring actress girlfriend Jenny (Jennifer Connelly of Phenomena, Labyrinth,Of Love and Shadows, Mulholland Falls) while the FBI are chasing after some Nazi saboteurs making their way with a package, a rocket pack they sneak on the airfield Cliff and his mechanic buddy Peavy (Alan Arkin of Wait Until Dark, Catch-22, The In-Laws, Glengarry Glen Ross, Little Miss Sunshine and Argo)work on.

Peavy and Cliff have dumped all their savings into a plane that crashes and now forced to do a flying circus routine for their penny pinching boss. A buddy of theirs gets behind the stick to assure Cliff doesn't get fired for being out all night testing the rocket pack, but he starts having issues. Peavy and Cliff ready Cliff to go after their buddy.

Terry O' Quinn may go Stepfather on ya, Cliff.

With what appears to be a publicity stunt gets the attention of the mob, the FBI and the Nazis seeing the rocket pack in action. Who is this Rocketeer?

Jenny is all moon eyed over the number three box office actor Neville Sinclair (Timothy Dalton of The Three Princes, The Voyeur, The Executioner, Agatha and Chanel Solitaire) who seems to be more than he appears. Moving behind the shadows, he too expresses an interest in the rocket pack.

With the mob, the G-Men and Goosesteppers on Cliff's heels, he has to come to the conclusion is he doing the right thing? Can he continue as the Rocketeer? How much is getting hurled at him?

With a PG-13 rating, apparently there was a lukewarm vibe from critics due to the lack of explanation that this is based on a spybuster series. Not enough publicity for it in my opinion so the potential to sequels was dropped. Again this was a 35 million budget and yet made 47 million in the box office. So it would appear that a 12 million profit was something to sneer at in 1991.

Mr. Flynn, you've had enough to drink!

A few anachronisms with firearms, the German Walther P38 while created in 1938 didn't really go into production until 1940. The MP40 Submachine Gun also designed in 1938 but not widely used until 1941.

Just some mild nitpicking there. This has heart, explosions, love, action, gunfights and fist fights. Most kids should have enjoyed this with their parents. But what do I know? No kids.

Honesty Jake, where's your Dalton love? Tsk tsk.