Comments on: DVD Review: The Rocketeer

By: Peter Coogan

Peter Coogan — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 02:53:50 +0000

The Rocketeer, the Phantom, the Shadow, and Sky Captain are all pulp movies–that is adaptations of works that appeared in or drew heavily on the pulps. The Shadow is a pulp hero, the Phantom is a pulp hero in the comics, the Rocketeer is a retro pulp hero and so is Sky Captain. So these feel a bit like superhero movies, but they aren’t. Is that what Navarre is getting at?

By: Sam Dunham

Sam Dunham — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 16:41:06 +0000

Oh, I wholeheartedly agree with you on the helmet being iconic and a great example of art deco. I really meant the whole “goofy helmet” thing to come off as just a humorus opening to the review. There was no negative intent behind it.

It’s like going to a parade and saying “Look at those goofy little Shriner cars.” Does it make them any less awesome? Nope.

By: Mike G.

Mike G. — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 13:51:35 +0000

Wow…fire up the Wayback Machine…

A number of years ago at the Dallas Comic-Con they held a showing of the Rocketeer with Dave Stevens. It was maybe 20-25 people in attendance. Sadly, I can’t remember anything he said, but it was a great experience.

By: Ocho

Ocho — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 05:08:13 +0000

Love the Rocketeer Comics. Love the Rocketeer Movie. Love the Helmet. Love Alan Arkin. Miss Dave Stevens.

By: Matthew Peterson

Matthew Peterson — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 03:54:00 +0000

Also: Cliff’s helmet is anything but goofy. It’s a really wonderful art deco design that ends up being functional as well as iconic. And the origin of how Peevey put it together is awesome…

By: Brent from Bloomington

Brent from Bloomington — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 01:40:11 +0000

I agree. I remember being absolutely in love with the Rocketeer and the Phantom as a kid, to the chagrin of my more discerning parents and siblings. Good call on this. I will still get excited whenever I watch these, and I get all nostalgic for I period I never lived in.

By: mary

mary — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 01:39:43 +0000

and… the music is played in the Fountain of Nations at Epcot… wonderful..

By: Kelson

Kelson — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 01:24:28 +0000

Funny timing – just this morning I was just thinking about rewatching The Rocketeer!

I think it’s probably been a decade since I last saw it, but I remember liking it even on repeat viewings.

By: Matthew Peterson

Matthew Peterson — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 01:02:12 +0000

They’re period pieces, pulp-oriented, and overall entertaining as hell.

And, oh my god, Jennifer Connelly… <3 <3 <3

By: OS Perry

OS Perry — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 00:32:51 +0000

Oh, and how about Dark City and kind of similar to this, and those other movies mentioned by Navarre… and Jennifer Conelly… MMM>.

By: OS Perry

OS Perry — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 00:32:05 +0000

mmmm… Jennifer Connelly… mmmm…

By: Navarre

Navarre — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 23:07:10 +0000

For some reason (perhaps general time period), The Rocketeer, The Phantom, The Shadow, and Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow all fall in this one particular type of film category for me. I don’t have a name for it but there is a certain feel to them.

Whatever it is, despite the problems any one of those films has, I like it. Thanks for the review.