Is there a more seminal film for the Eighties
generation than Raiders of the Lost Ark? Director Steven Spielberg and
producer George Lucas captured lightning in a bottle with this homage to the
cliffhanger serials of their youth. They continued to mine this profitable vein
for three subsequent sequels with mixed results. After the third and what was
presumed the last Indiana Jones film Indiana Jones and Last Crusade (1989),
Hollywood tried to find new stories with pulp characters who could substitute
for Harrison Ford’s indelible hero with a hat. None enjoyed the success of
their inspiration but each are entertaining in their own way.
1991 saw the film The Rocketeer, featuring Dave
Steven’s 1980s comic book hero who fought the Nazis with his golden helmet and
jetpack. Directed by Joe Johnston (Jumanji, Captain America) this
1930s era adventure captured much of the jokey fun and rip-roaring excitement
of the Indy trilogy but sadly failed to achieve classic status due to a
lackluster advertising campaign that needed a star as leading man to sell its outlandish
premise to a skeptical audience. Handsome Bill Campbell brings all the
necessary charm and energy to the role of the young pilot who becomes The
Rocketeer while sharing romantic on-screen chemistry with his girlfriend played
by a sparkling Jennifer Connelly. Former James Bond Timothy Dalton clearly relishes
his role as the swashbuckling Nazi villain who comes complete with a hulking henchman sporting a Rick Baker facial makeup inspired by 40s horror legend Rondo Hatton. Lavish costume and set design, together with charming pre-CGI special effects are
all propelled by James Horner’s majestic score making this feel-good franchise
seem like it couldn’t miss. Shockingly it failed at the box office and despite
various new adaptations long promised by Disney, over 30 years later Rocketeer
fans are still cheering for this unique hero to return to the skies.
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