Drinker's Extra Shots - The Rocketeer

The Rocketeer is one of the best movies that nobody remembers, so today I'll try to change that.
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[@GetOutOfMyTruck]

"Remember when Disney movies...didn't make you hate yourself." I'm still laughing at that line. Such a fun movie.

[@alamalam5594]

Its sad when Disney nowday become corrupt when Twitter mob take over.Man i miss old Disney

[@NS-xx1ze]

What do u mean? Disney s animation department has been on fire for the past decade and honestly that's the only disney that matters...

[@daniellynch654]

That was my favourite line

[@AntR669]

@@alamalam5594 Disney was cutthroat even back then. It's actually the other way around. Disney used the twitter mob, as a marketing tool and a way to mask the fact that it is an uber capitalist and greedy company. Even though it backfired due to incompetence, laziness and stupidity. Boycoting Disney is not something new mind you, it just had a resurgence due to recent events.

[@AntR669]

@michael fisher True. But do you remember their bad movies from the 90's? Or the controversies surrounding disney at the time?

[@NeilWatkinsfromaccounting]

Jennifer Connolly is absolutely stunning in this movie. Please let’s bring this look back.

[@AndreNitroX]

What a classic time to have lived

[@AndreNitroX]

@Tom H Wow. "He's out of line but he's right"

[@AndreNitroX]

@Tom H its a joke from falcon and the winter soldier show

[@AndreNitroX]

@Tom H You got it bad

[@AndreNitroX]

@Tom H no doubt

[@EvilDoresh]

They actually _did_ remake it in 2019. As a CGI series aimed at little kids, with an underaged diverse female Rocketeer. Got cancelled after one season, for _some_ reason.

[@lukewalken1316]

Reeeeally? 🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔

[@EvilDoresh]

@@lukewalken1316 I wish I was making that up.

[@DivineFalcon]

@@EvilDoresh I love the quote on Wikipedia: "It was unexpectedly cancelled after one season." The Woke Touch of Death is surprising to no one. Well, except the woke crowd.

[@callmedoc2147]

It wasn't really a remake.... more of a ''sequel''. Follows the granddaughter of the rocketeer... or something. Daughter enjoyed watching it

[@EvilDoresh]

@@callmedoc2147 I think that makes it a soft reboot.

[@kylebrogmus8847]

Can we all just acknowledge James’s Horner’s incredible score. RIP maestro.

[@VictoryAviation]

The score for this movie is still one of my favorites. The motifs are absolutely perfect. He literally nailed everything about it.

[@natebowman7593]

Dang it! I'm late to this comment thread. My personal favorite scores by James Horner to this day is #1 Wraith of Kahn, 2 The Rocketeer, and 3 The Mask of Zorro. Sad melodies, yet strangely at the same time, uplifting music throughout most of his more popular scores.

[@nerva-]

It was a good score, but I went from being a huge fan of Horner back in the 80's-90's to having more and more disdain for him as I realized he copied his previous work in almost every "new" score - I couldn't understand why James Cameron kept paying him to compose for his blockbusters when so much of it was ripped off from his earlier work. After watching this video, I watched some of The Rocketeer and was thinking, "oh, this is a good score - I haven't heard of John Williams scoring it, perhaps it was Alan Silvestri or James Horner - then I hear a few notes that sounded just like some of Horner's other work, and I shook my head and was like, "yep, definitely Horner, you can always spot his work because it all sounds the same." I think the only soundtrack Horner might have done that he never really ripped off in later years was Glory - that was great music.

[@kylebrogmus8847]

@@nerva- We could say the same about Zimmer, Williams or Morricone. You shouldn’t be so hard on Horner. Just about every composer rehashes their melodies or borrows from others, consciously or not. Not only that, many film composers have ghost writers under them. This is quite common. (I have a family member who often ghost writes) I heard from one musician that most composers only have a few melodies in their repertoire and that most of their songs are just variations of their core melodies. When a movie is released we often focus on the big names involved, e.g. The Director, The Composer, The Actors, etc. and forget about how collaborative the whole process is to make a film come to life. Almost every artistic medium participates in one form or another, on top of production logistics, etc, etc. There are many unsung heroes working in the shadows as there are many reinterpretations of the same melodies and the same stories.

[@HansKlopek]

Young jennifer connelly...it's worth watching for her alone.

[@Haterator]

I see, a fellow man of culture. Here's to you! *raises glass*

[@goaltndr]

Pretty much sums up what I was going to say.

[@goatwarrior3570]

That woman is something else.

[@alamalam5594]

The Rocketeer when Disney has ball to use Nazi Swastika and has decent actor a in late 1980s

[@aelius3805]

Damn straight, Drinker is right about her. I would take her any day over a pink-haired, screaming feminist.

[@akiratrypp549]

_The director who just wants to tell a fun, exciting story and hires actors based on their competency... tells a fun, exciting story with the help of good actors._ This really 'shouldn't' be some kind of profound and esoteric wisdom, but hell if any of the higher-ups at modern Disney know it. Side note: I'm so glad that someone else remembered this film. My childhood self used to think that steampunk helmet was the coolest thing ever.

[@TheBinaryHappiness]

"burgers?"

[@cogrippy8495]

Maybe they don’t know how to have fun anymore, so they can’t write a fun script

[@stevenscherry4143]

I own it, i love the movie. I have a friend who went to the Salt Lake comic con as the Rocketeer.

[@Brian-tn4cd]

The helmet reminds me of the suits in a scifi-fantasy game SMT:Strange journey and i agree it looks cool

[@spergnation1339]

Love that scene when Cliff meets Howard Hughes. He then escapes using a model of the Spruce Goose. "That damned thing will fly.". If you're an aviation nerd there's a couple easter eggs in there. Loved this movie as a child. Still love it today.

[@andybushi6418]

That reference… It’s perfection

[@superglue46]

@@andybushi6418 Absolute perfection.

[@MrChannelnamehere]

Us older millennials remember this little gem. Loved it. Watched it many times in my youth. Also, holy moly Jennifer Connolly was a goddess. Had the hugest crush on her lol. A truly timeless beauty.

[@mattw1876]

..... And she still is! Have you seen snowpiercer?... Okay, she's in her fifties now, but you still would, wouldn't you?.....

[@danj9399]

Hey, us Gen X liked it too!

[@superglue46]

@@mattw1876In Maverick, too. What a babe.

[@raniii652]

@@superglue46 She was dead gorgeous in Top Gun

[@antcow1239]

I miss movies like this Jennifer Connolly is the kind of woman who could set a glacier on fire by walking on it

[@NashmanNash]

That explains the increased melting of these things...

[@MegaBadgeman]

Fall through, get soaking wet and her makeup ruined she'll still look good.

[@disobey81]

The new Snowpiercer series is worth it alone for those eyebrows I can tell you

[@pauldanielmooney]

Is that how she'll survive "the white" ?

[@sharkdentures3247]

Jennifer Connolly, the only woman who had to get breast REDUCTION surgery so as to stop seeming INHUMANLY beautiful & lowered to the beauty of mere mortal humans! (yeah, I know that's not why she did it. But I still think it was clever.)

[@ahegao4915]

"Remember when Disney was good?" Oh god, please don't say The Rocketeer isn't it. "The Rocketeer is a reminder of that." My man!

[@C-rations2394]

okay, so I wasn't the only one who doubted the Drinker. hahaha

[@vdochev]

Yes, I was going to turn the video off at that point. Glad that I didn't.

[@snakeeyes20a]

Pepperidge farms remembers

[@liquidsweg4858]

Where's your pfp from?

[@changvasejarik62]

Yeah screw you Macfarlane, this movie was good.

[@TheSharkIsWorking_23]

Saw this movie twice in the theaters. I LOVED IT! As an adult, it stills holds up as an original action-packed HollywoodLand style story. Special shout out to James Horner’s amazing score.

[@TheRougeSky]

Fun Fact, the comic the movie was based on had Cliff's love interest be the legend herself Bettie Page, spelled Betty Page in the comic because they originally didn't even have her consent to add her in (she was chill with it later when she found out but was due a bunch of royalties), thats some hardcore fandom right there. Also if you know who she is/was without having to google the name then much respect for being a long time person of culture.

[@FriskyOCallahan]

I have a bobble-head of her.

[@Groomsman]

She was the visual inspiration behind Poison Ivy when she debuted in the comics

[@henrykujawa4427]

@@Groomsman I always love to find out (or figure out) who characters were originally modelled on. "Peavy" was modelled on Doug Wildey, but I think he passed away just about the tme this movie got made.

[@JohnJBrowne11209]

Dave Stephen the creator of q Rocketeer comic book and the movie. He was also a huge Betty Page. Got her a lot of residuals

[@apex403]

Cliff was a great protagonist because even at the end of the movie, he never felt confident/capable and always felt like he was punching above his weight - and he knew it. He was consistently clumsy , but his bravery is what made him the hero. He would lay his life down to save those he cared about.

[@ablethreefourbravo]

And for the average person, is there a better role model?

[@karazor-el6085]

@@ablethreefourbravo If they ever decided to remake the movie these days, I would vote for Tom Holland to fill the role of Cliff. He has that same young, wide-eyed energy. But if they decided to remake this one, I would be the first to cry foul.

[@jedironin380]

Now that you mention it, reminds me a lot of The Mummy with Brendon Frasier and Rachel Weisz.

[@Gladius-XC]

He ended up with Jennifer Connolly. He WAS punching above his weight!

[@apersonofinterest]

Especially Jenny! Owooooooo! Hellooooo Nurse! Look at those gams!

[@nixneato]

"Not people that disagree with you on Twitter" - someone call Webster, we need to update a definition

[@ilovebutterstuff]

Their tactics have changed, but their agendas are being carried out in Washington as we speak.

[@Swarm509]

Everyone in this movie would be a Nazi according to Twitter....

[@Ebalosus]

The Rocketeer being forgotten has always been weird to me, because when I was younger and saw it on TV for the first time here in NZ, we all were talking about it in school the next day, and I remember us all enjoying it.

[@samuelplacensia753]

The Rocketeer jet pack in the movie was design by Howard Hughes. Howard Hughes is in fact the real life inspiration for Iron Man.

[@Katya_Lastochka]

But he died in 1976.

[@benjaminbellamy7207]

@@Katya_Lastochka Iron Man first appeared in Marvel Comics in 1963.

[@PistonAvatarGuy]

Really? Because he was a terrible aircraft designer. He only gave some input on certain aspects of the H-1, the H-4 was almost certainly too fragile to fly with a load of cargo (and likely would have been destroyed by any kind of turbulence) and the XF-11 was just a ripoff of the P-38 and was completely obsolete by the time it flew.

[@ourvaluesarewhoweareinadem4093]

@@PistonAvatarGuy I think more in the aspect that Hughes was a good businessman who also was very involved in the actual application end; he was a good pilot who set various records and did test flights that took an immense amount of physical bravery. While he was not a great engineer, he had an excellent understanding of all sorts of physical sciences, math, and biology. He had success in films, medical research, aerospace, and real estate. He likely did quite a lot of contract work for the government in intelligence/statecraft/diplomacy fields. He also banged a lot of roasties. To get where Hughes got and do what he did took a near super-hero level abilities and intelligence. To try and minimize his cultural important during the years 1930-1970 (and beyond) by saying he wasn't directly involved in much successful aircraft design is disingenuous.

[@PistonAvatarGuy]

@@ourvaluesarewhoweareinadem4093 Get where Hughes got? You do realize that he was born into wealth, right? If Hughes had an excellent understanding of the physical sciences, he would have been a great engineer, but he definitely wasn't. Hughes was born rich, blew a bunch of money on grandiose nonsense and could afford to BUY good press, but he was absolutely nothing special when it came to his abilities.

[@Mister-Six]

Cliff: How do I look? Peevy: Like a hood ornament.

[@Skiergold]

Alan Arkin had the best lines in this flick!

[@morden279]

This is unironically a brilliant line. Compare the beautiful design of the Rocketeer helmet to the car hood ornaments of Rene Lalique. Both are in the Streamline Moderne style. Great writing.

[@Steffenator]

Classic. 😂😂😂

[@elijahbutterfield4869]

Idk... I always thought he looked like "one big gopher"

[@tomspiegel5322]

One of the best lines! Even the simple lines are charming and fun. "You're leaking like a sieve here. If you'd have hit that switch, we'd be all over the map by now." "Can you fix it?" "If I had a couple of hours..." "Peevy, we don't have a couple of _minutes."_ Peevy [mashing the Beeman's over the leak]: "Let's see if our luck's still holding up."

[@dwaynehendrickson8854]

Saw this in the theater and a 7 yr old kid was in front of us. Dalton starts kissing Connellys neck and the kid shouts “He’s a VAMPIRE!?!?!” Audience loses it. Later on when Dalton crashes the kid says “Well, that might kill him but don’t count on it.” Best audience ever

[@brookspn]

That's a great story! I have a similar one: I saw "The Happening" in theatres. After the show, I was getting in my car, and I see some dude walk over to a tree, kick it, and say "thanks for wasting my fucking time." I've only laughed that hard a few other times.

[@brianthom6798]

@@brookspn Both fantastic stories.

[@slagit]

@@brookspn I would of died laughing!!!

[@gdwnet]

And that little child grew up to be the critical drinker?! :-)

[@Porkcfish]

Mine is "Rocky IV." Talia Shire gets her moment in the sun and screams at Rocky, "You can't win!" Three little voices pipe up in the first row, "Yes you can!" It was adorable because it was more they had faith and they didn't scream it. The audience had a nice laugh.

[@C-M-E]

It wasn't until later in life that I realized that Joe Johnston directed some of my favorite movies from my younger days, who also did this and Captain America. One of my favorite 'never heard of that one' movies that also stars Jennifer Connelly is Dark City. It came out the same year as Matrix and got hammed at the box office due to that, but definitely worth a watch.

[@JohnJBrowne11209]

Good call. It's a great movie and Jennifer Connelly is great in it.

[@Talban]

I'm surprised you didn't mention James Horner's absolutely fantastic score. The power of the opening and closing credits is amazing.

[@joebalusikiii5811]

Don't forget the beautiful Melora (The Officer's Jan) Hardin singing at the South Seas Club! That is her....no dubbing.

[@kidzoki]

I remember the audience cheering when Sorvino said he was 100% American. CHEERING. The Rocketeer holstering his Mauser in front of the American flag and Sorvino whispering “Go get ‘em, kid...” still makes me tear up.

[@kri249]

Same, and I'm not even American.

[@derlich09]

"Alright, boys. Let 'em have it!"

[@tubeviewerX20]

People like that are still all around us, but unfortunately do not control the media.

[@blueluny]

God I'd have loved to have been there

[@johnk4306]

Yes, absolutely!

[@jondrew55]

"another loudspeaker to scream at you for being a horrible human being" - That pretty much sums up everything we hear today

[@vcdonovan5943]

Too bad we can't just turn it off. But we could shut em up if we didn't mind getting dirty.

[@slagit]

Yep really sums it up...

[@vcdonovan5943]

@Logan Botill LOL Nothing's more communist than corporations.

[@gordons1816]

"Smart, well written, charming and enjoyable" really says it all. Fortunately, I don't wait 20 years to pull this off the shelf! It's one of a handful of Disney movies I come back to often. The only thing I would note on top of your already excellent commentary is the great sound score by James Horner (composer of Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, The Mask of Zorro, and so many more).

[@josephchandrasegaran276]

Most underrated life-action Disney film ever. They should totally produce more of these.

[@THEC.O.VISIT.]

"I might make a dishonest buck, but I'm 100% American." Best line ever.

[@mikavirtanen7029]

Paul Sorvino was great...Go Get 'em, Kid!

[@joehonan1773]

The double take between him and the FBI agent when they are fighting side by side is gold.

[@vladpiranha]

It's funny you mention that. I haven't forgotten that line since 1991.

[@SeanA099]

The FBI and gangsters teaming up to fight the Nazis

[@Skinsfan819]

Close, but it's "I may not make an honest buck..."

[@mikestanmore2614]

The Rocketeer is excellent. A damned near perfect rendition of the Hero's Journey.

[@valentinegonsalves7322]

Haven't watched the movie yet. Just an old trailer. But hey, the guy who made this movie is the guy who would later go on to direct Captain America The First Avenger. And hey, if I knew nothing about superheroes and comic books, just the mention of Jennifer Connelly would be reason enough to watch this movie.

[@skeletonshorror5184]

Exactly. Flawless. 💀🔥

[@reesebn38]

@@valentinegonsalves7322 The Rocketeer is why Marvel got Joe Johnson to direct Cap.

[@EddieTheLightbringer]

The first time I saw this movie it was on The Disney Channel when I was about 5 years old. It kept me riveted the entire time and I never knew the title of it. Years went by, then Captain America: The First Avenger came out with the same kind of feel and I stumbled over an article about it telling me that it was from the same director of The Rocketeer. I was finally able to track it down and watch it, and damn I was surprised by how well it held up. I haven't read the comics, but I do very much want to. They're next on my list. I even got a Rocketeer T-shirt, just because I wanted to spread the love of the thing to random passersby on the street (before the unknown virus of unspecified origin hit.)

[@MegaDoug]

👍😂 🇨🇳 🦠

[@rudegarami6738]

I still remember being awed by the score for this movie, it’s brilliant. My grandfather was a pilot in WW2 who was inspired by watching barnstormers in the 30s, so this movie and the score make me think of him.

[@MrGarrett]

"Not the type you disagree with on Twitter" Damnit Drinker, my sides went into orbit

[@bemotivated8443]

That was a good one

[@somedandy7694]

My sides imploded into a singularity. With any luck, the gravity from it will draw you back down.

[@GeneralG1810]

I know right, I think someone on twitter would literally be surprised if you told them NAZI's were actually a thing and it's NOT just a term for someone you disagree with

[@rickwj324]

That remark made my day! I literally laughed out loud on that one!!

[@jshaw3793]

Extremely underrated movie

[@MegaBadgeman]

I think the reason was it wasn't made with anything else in mind. No social agenda and no sequel or merchandising to promote. Just a simple bit of enjoyable escapism to a simpler time.

[@markroberts928]

It was pretty faithful to Dave Stevens' fantastically beautiful comics which is why its simple but effective. And FUN.

[@slagit]

@@markroberts928 Yep great comic and very cool and nice dude who sadly left this reality too soon...

[@markroberts928]

Absolutely

[@justinkashtock333]

I remember this movie fondly from when I was a kid around 10 or 11. I actually put it on for my kids a few months back when I noticed it on Dis+. They seemed to enjoy it as well, but it's one of those movies that definitely benefits from an actual theater presentation.

[@justinhighfill9688]

This was one of my favorite films growing up. Revisited it a few years back, and it more than held up. It was one of the best things I had seen in years.

[@charlesmcmanus4229]

“... square-jawed heroism and gee-wiz innocence...” I’m a bit disappointed the Drinker didn’t compare/contrast this movie to the director’s later work: “Captain America: The First Avenger.”

[@kevinintheusa8984]

Both are stunningly good. Along with the first Iron Man, they are some of my favorite movies.

[@rmhartman]

That was the same director?

[@rmhartman]

He was clearly meant to do mid twentieth century comic book heroes ...

[@grproteus]

Apparently he also directed "I just shrunk the kids" - which would make for an awesome comparison with ant-man :P

[@reesebn38]

The Rocketeer is why Marvel hired him. They wanted Cap to have the same look and feel. There is even the same shot at end with kids pretending to be the hero.

[@GracieKiller]

The whole movie is an outstanding piece of 1940's nostalgia, and the ugly henchman is a reference to the famous horror movie star Rondo Hatton, a tragic man who was once voted "Most Handsome Boy" in high school before the effects of acromegaly twisted his features.

[@CoryTheRaven]

Totally... 1930's Los Angeles is a character in the Rocketeer... Hollywood, So-Cal, Art Deco, dinner clubs, desert pilots, Griffith Observatory...

[@papalaz4444244]

but this is the age old problem. 99% of the audience have no nostalgia for things that happened before they were born. Why would they?

[@dingfeldersmurfalot4560]

@Warren Higgins You nailed it. Not nostalgia in the ordinary sense, but appreciation. Not knowing much about the past means you have a lot less to appreciate, plus a lot less perspective. Life becomes much more flat when your perspective is not well-rounded.

[@GracieKiller]

@@papalaz4444244 Eh, that's not entirely true. People can absolutely feel nostalgia for eras before they were even born. To use a pop culture example, Lana del Rey bases her music on the late 1950's and frequently cites how nostalgic she is for that time, despite being born decades later.

[@kellenwong1321]

@@GracieKiller Similarly, I enjoy watching Western and Japanese science fiction from the 70s, 80s, 90s despite being born in the early 2000s. I get nostalgic everytime it comes on.

[@eyeprops5422]

Not to mention the music score for this was EPIC. I call this my Indiana Jones extended universe movie.

[@SheldonAdama17]

News: They’re remaking Rocketeer! Me: (cue Drinker’s face cam rant from his Highlander review which sums up my thoughts far better than I ever could)

[@Nuno.dos.Santos491]

Allways had a softspot for this underrated gem, and not just because of Jeniffer Connelly. But also because of her.

[@theflyingkaramazovbrothers6]

top 2 in film in her prime. flawless.

[@pete3198]

That girl is absolutely stunning in this. Makes me feel sad looking back at the way people used to dress and carry themselves in those days versus today. Back then it was like everybody put in effort to try to look and be their best. People dressed more classy in those days going to the shops then some do now days going to a wedding.

[@Cideous]

damn, how can a woman be so gorgeous!? time to watch Dark City again....

[@AndreNitroX]

Lol. Almost everyone gets it bad for Jennifer

[@martindixon54]

@@pete3198 Your mention of people being more classy in the past reminded me of when I was at the local crematorium for the funeral of a distant relative about three years ago. The mourners from our funeral were gathered in the peace garden, off to one side of the building, after the service whilst the mourners for the next funeral were congregating at the front door. We were all in suits and ties (men) or skirt suits (ladies), the next group looked like they'd turned up in whatever they happened to have at the top of their laundry basket. There were jeans. There were tracksuits. There was even a luminous pink jacket. They all had an appearance of having just been on their way to the shops and were only stopping off for the funeral because they happened to be passing. I hope whoever the funeral was for wrote the whole lot of them out of the will, because they clearly couldn't have cared less about the person in the coffin. Classy indeed...

[@CrashWizard]

"Film fans were saddened by the news that actor Neville Sinclair was killed in a tragedy when flaming debris fell on his touring car. That's terrible, that was a nice car."

[@cmyaj]

One of my favorite lines from this or any other movie...

[@the_bunse]

Tomothy Dalton as the bad guy, excellent as always

[@samohtlion]

He had the BEST lines in the WHOLE movie!!

[@redsoxu571]

"I may not make an honest buck, but I'm 100% American" is one of my all-time favorites!

[@IntuitiveYakOfAllTrades]

It's always a delight to share this movie with people who have never seen it. I generally watch it a few times per year. Other kids would fight over who got to be which Power Ranger. If I had a machine shop, I would definitely make the rocket-pack and go to Comic-Con as Cliff.

[@TheMattgwapo]

You're spot on with this review. I've always loved this movie and have probably watched it at least a dozen times over the years. Of course Jennifer Connelly is stunning in this movie as she was in all those movies made back in the day. She absolutely stands out as one of the most beautiful woman in Hollywood across all of the decades. She was pure smoldering hotness in Mulholland Falls. Watching Inventing the Abbotts just to see her various curves is worth it. Beyond Jennifer this move is a pure disney classic in my mind.

[@cheddarcheese7928]

A Young Jennifer Connelly is literally the prettiest girl I’ve ever seen..She’ still looks amazing mind you ..But when she was younger..Wow

[@taproom113]

Agree ... she's Stunning in this film! ^v^

[@AndreNitroX]

In all her early films my eyes hurt from how pretty she is

[@benjamincorcoran119]

My first and only celebrity crush. Like Alan Arkin said in the film, “There was no point in celebrity crushing after her.”

[@sugarnads]

Shes beautiful

[@njones420]

I was so besotted with her in Labyrinth as a kid in the 80s. (me as a kid, before any funny comments). ...Requiem for a Dream nearly killed me, I would not recommend it.

[@cinematicpassages8884]

Jennifer is a masterpiece of a woman. I used to hold my breath and close my eyes when i looked at her...thinking like "man i wish i had a girlfriend like her".

[@Haterator]

She's still fine as hell (Battle Angel Alita, Snowpiercer - The series)

[@pedrovargas2181]

She was The Perfection until age and The Scarlett claimed her crown.

[@Skiergold]

@@pedrovargas2181 women and fine wine, pal.

[@trenauldo]

But... how did you look at her while you closed your eyes..? That's the kind of girl that makes you want to poke holes in your eyelids so you don't miss anything.

[@JohnSmith-um7iy]

@Patrick Whelpley Can't wait

[@marychocolatefairy]

I'm glad this movie is being rediscovered! There's a scene in the third ep of the Mandolorian that's a reference to it (Fun Fact: the Rocketeer director co-designed Boba Fett). I remember being a kid and watching a behind the scenes promo about the movie on the Disney Channel (which was completely different than it is now) and thinking that Jennifer Connelly seemed so cool. I was glad when she became a star years later.

[@beasty4123]

i would have been 8 years old when this came out and i couldnt get enough i had the movie on audio tape and would listen to it as i lay in bed at night. thank you for reinforcing my love for this movie!

[@adubs3851]

Great camp with Tim Dalton as a fun cheese villian and everyone's first crush, Jennifer Connelly.

[@JoshuaKevinPerry]

Not until Requiem for a Double was she my type of gal

[@ModernMedusa]

Is he really made of cheese? 👀

[@andrewbinns5035]

@@JoshuaKevinPerry A2A crew huh?

[@adubs3851]

@@ModernMedusaAbsolutely. He's a perfectly aged munster.

[@pedrovargas2181]

Got a kid-crush on her first time I watched Labrynth (I was 9, 1992. Thanks, Peruvian networks). Then I forgot, later (age 13) I watched this one, she was all I could focus on. Even at 50 she holds up quite well.

[@TheTmshuman]

I wore out a few VHS tapes as a kid watching this gem. Jennifer Connolly was definitely more attentive than any actress I’ve seen since. Hell, she still looks good.

[@ecurb10]

Wore out the pause button I expect 😉?

[@TheJeremyKentBGross]

We wire out the tape as a kid too.

[@oscarjimenezgarrido7591]

She kind of still looks good, except for the fact that you need to look really hard to tell her apart from thin air. Eff anorexia. Not body-shaming, BTW, more like venting frustration and impotence - been dealing with an affected sibling's issues, struggles and comorbid health issues my entire adult life.

[@markmarderosian9657]

A line I still use today as it applies to so many things: "I've had a bellyful of you and your cheap heroics."

[@r.k.8718]

"The Rocketeet" is one of my favorite childhood movies, in a similar vein to "Indiana Jones." It has that "swashbuckler" feel to it I would love to see done well these days, but instead we get...what we get.

[@mikewaterfield3599]

That plane is the gee bee. For a time she held the air speed record. Famously the test pilot stated she wanted to bite her own tail off. Long live the sky titans.

[@duncanhamilton5841]

By all accounts it was a holy terror to fly

[@blank557]

Agreed. The Gee Bee was a notoriously dangerous airplane to fly. All speed and torque, with stubby wings that provided little control and less stability. Basically a fuselage with a big engine and fins for wings.

[@kendyer8761]

@@blank557 actually the danger is exaggerated. For example the crash jimmy dolittle had was caused by him adding an external fuel tank against the wishes of the granville brothers. This threw the stability of the airframe off.

[@mikewaterfield3599]

@@blank557 let us not forget those wildly undersized control surfaces. I just wanna know how you fight left Turning tendencies with a rudder that small. Imagine the gyroscopic force when that tail comes down while landing. Makes a T6 tame by contrast.

[@blank557]

@@kendyer8761 True, but it still was a difficult airplane to fly.

[@FP194]

One of the best scenes is when Cliff grabs onto the model of the Spruce Goose to escape and after he lets go it keeps flying Then Howard Hughes says “ the damn thing will fly “

[@VictoryAviation]

There are so many gems in this movie. It’s one of the most wonderfully written scripts I’ve ever seen.

[@maingun07]

In '91 I had to watch the movie twice in the same day; the first time to enjoy this fun adventure movie as a whole, especially because I loved everything to do with aviation of that era, and the second time to enjoy every single frame of Jennifer Connelly. That night, my girlfriend didn't know what had gotten into me, but she was grateful.

[@hobbs1701a]

Not only do I remember The Rocketeer, but I absolutely LOVE The Rocketeer!! I went and saw it in theaters! I watch it all the time! It was a great mix of adventure, comedy, espionage, with a great cast, great writing, and a great story! I miss movies like this! Dear Drinker, please talk about The Last Starfighter! When you do, I'll join you with my bottle of vodka!!

[@trianglehat6994]

My Grandma took me to see The Rocketeer, I wasn't allowed to see T2. The Rocketeer is still one of my all time favorite cinema moments.

[@JK-Visions]

i saw both that year:) the rocketeer alone for no one was intrested. Best choice ever!

[@Dimness57]

This movie introduces Jennifer Connelly in one of the best ways possible: attaching a garter strap to a stocking top.

[@dcrowell276]

7 yr old me didn't know what the feelings she made me feel were... but boy did I feel em'

[@azazelone905]

@@dcrowell276 yes... just yes. 😆

[@a.l.schultz7053]

My sister and I loved this movie! She made me watch it all the time; I was young enough to not really care about boys yet, and she was old enough to be mad in love with Cliff. She made me watch it on repeat for about 10 years, until I fell in love with his 90s Disney boy flippy hair too. And the frankenstein character folding people in half was the most horrifying thing in our young lives. Ahhh, such good memories

[@sokutokh3521]

One of my favorite movies of all time. I used to love watching this with my dad when I was little.

[@mattshuey1]

Cliff in the Rocketeer costume standing tall with a spotlight on him is more heroic than anything in the MCU.

[@kellysullivan1455]

Absolutely hit the nail on the head with that comment I totally agree...

[@brianthom6798]

You say that as if it's even a contest.

[@jacksonscott690]

Lol

[@bloodangelphil]

Captain America: The First Avenger was directed by Joe Johnston, The Rocketeer's director.

[@Atreus21]

@@bloodangelphil huh. I'd no idea.

[@RolfHartmann]

One person who did not forget about this is Kevin Fiege who selected the director for Captain America the First Avenger based on it since who showed such flare for 30s-40s visuals.

[@tomiyadude246]

A wonderful movie. Great story, great music, great villains, and great actors and actresses.

[@samnowland4679]

The Rocketeer might be my favorite movie ever. It makes me excited and happy in ways movies can't really do anymore. I know that's a ridiculous statement, but when I think of "my favorite", I always come back to this.

[@Bow-to-the-absurd]

The absolute pinnacle of 'the girl next door' Stunning. Even more so in Career Opportunities

[@derlich09]

Super bosom.

[@Rockatanskiii]

You need to check out The Hot Spot my dude

[@rossegan7034]

Mullholland falls is the one to check out if you like jennifer.

[@Bow-to-the-absurd]

@@rossegan7034 when it comes to her, I'm 12 years old all over again!

[@Askonti]

I'm getting PTSD from her riding that horsey. Goddamn. 🤤

[@a.ham.9856]

Best line: "It matters to me. I may not make an honest buck, but I'm 100% American." Pretty great writing.

[@AMAubert]

Today the mobster would have to denounce American "colonialism."

[@Hiraghm]

My favorite f*ing lne from the whole f*ing movie. It brought tears.

[@geetee2694]

During the first Gulf War, a military planner left a briefcase of their plans, in his csr. Someone broke into his car and stole it. He later called the police and wanted to turn it in. He said he may be a thief, but he wasn't a traitor.

[@Atreus21]

"And I don't work for no two-bit nazi. Let her go." :)

[@Atreus21]

@@Hiraghm The whole scene of the mob and FBI joining forces to fight nazis is just awesome.

[@Tirpitz7]

Such a classic. I actually just posted a poster of this film on IG as part of the month-long celebration of Art Deco.

[@makatron]

Jennifer Connolly drop dead gorgeous her entire life. I watch whatever she's in because her acting skills sure are outstanding, she helped carry the whole Beautiful Mind movie.

[@mattcharlson80]

I just watched this one with my kids and they loved it. They were all laughing, cheering, and jumping around watching it. It holds up so much better than I thought.

[@Brentisimo]

I recently introduced my kids to this gem, too. They enjoyed it, too. A testament to a well made movie!

[@ksmith96]

That's a great visual, dude. (Kids being kids, having a good time...) Thanks. 😉👍🏾

[@GamingGardeningAndLayingSiege]

I recommended this to my cousins and their kids, along with a long list of older adventure movies. There's some stuff that just stands the test of of time.

[@CharlesVeitch]

Saw this in the cinema as an 11year old Nice one Drinler

[@RedDogDragon]

The Critical Drinler.

[@dr.chungusphd108]

I was 9 but saw it in the theater as well.

[@RaoulDuke789]

Same.

[@berryreading4809]

Thanks you drunlard commenter!

[@CharlesVeitch]

I refuse to edit my lunchtime claret sloshed typo. You're all a bunch of cruntls

[@lionofthemorning7997]

Saw it when it came out & absolutely loved it. Especially Connelly! You’re dead on with that one! I’m actually glad it wasn’t a monetary success. It kept it from being tainted by horrible sequels.

[@Dude-oh8vq]

Great film! I LOVE The Rocketeer. My father took me to see this after deciding not to let me see T2 lol. I was pissed off but ended up having a terrific night with this film! "Relax Frankenstein, you ain't bullet proof"

[@patrickprosser8227]

I took my late wife to see this on one of our first dates. It truly brings back some wonderful memories of happier times for me. That is one of the things I love most about movies.

[@katnerd6712]

Jennifer Connolly, the only woman who could make you forget that she's supposed to be playing Bettie Page. Damn, do I remember Jennifer Connolly...

[@bf945]

Yum. Bettie Page.

[@rockraven2159]

Labyrinth

[@brianthom6798]

I'm not sure I've ever seen a more beautiful human being than Jennifer Connelly circa 1991.

[@abbaszaidi8371]

Recommend Meet The Abbots- or rather a specific clip on KZbin

[@slagit]

Yep it is cool to think Dave Stevens who created the Rocketeer interacted and help Betty in her later years.

[@Cygnus75]

I love The Rocketeer! I forgot how many times I watched it at the movies, and later on VHS. Great film, all fun and entertainment.

[@sikedipuuhja7376]

One of my favourite movies. It also has a scent of steampunk infused alternetive history in it.

[@dlxmarks]

Joe Johnston said that directing this film (and being an art director for the first two Indiana Jones movies) led to getting hired as the _Captain America: The First Avenger_ director. I wish Marvel would give him more work.

[@pedrovargas2181]

Mr. Johnston is dead.

[@haitolawrence5986]

@@pedrovargas2181 Bullsh*t. Joe is 70 years of age in 2021!! 😎👍🏻

[@dlxmarks]

As of late 2019, Johnston was working with Disney to direct a new _Honey, I Shrunk the Kids_ movie but production was put on hold in 2020. A big part of his career has been either Disney films or ones that are Disney properties now.

[@pedrovargas2181]

LOL my mistake. 🤭😅

[@johnsanko4136]

When I was a kid, I always wanted Cliff's flying jacket. As an adult, I still do.

[@michealohaodha9351]

Its so epic

[@bat_grams]

I have a replica that I bought as a treat a few years back... there are still some great pieces out there for reasonable prices

[@reesebn38]

I heard by the end of filming the coats disappeared one by one.

[@deuteriummeridian8998]

I've seen a motorcyclist decked out as an Imperial Stormtrooper. I don't see why a moto apparel maker hasn't done the jacket. The helmet however wouldn't fly....

[@seastar7126]

Just watched this last night. One of the best films of all time and the score is unforgettable. When Paul Sorvino, the mobster, says to Neville St Clair, "I may be a crook, but I'm 100% American: you want to stand up in your seat and cheer. I'll never get tired of this film - even though Disney has gone off the edge. But they had it all together for this film.

[@ShiftingDrifter]

Little movie trivia for ya. That fun trick of sticking chewing gum on his planes was lifted from the hit film "Test Pilot" (1938) with Clark Gable, Spencer Tracy and Myrna Loy. Spencer Tracey plays aircraft mechanic "Gunner Morris" who ritualistically sticks his chewing gum on prototype planes just as Clark Gable straps in and takes off. It's a great must see flick. (Thought it was original eh? lol)

[@DickWeinerUSA]

Hey, it's Yossarian before he became a bombardier on B-25's! The best line is from Sorvino's character with: "I may not make an honest buck, but I'm one-hundred percent American!"

[@brigandboy1425]

The ending of this movie always makes me happy. It's just... like another day in what used to be California. The hero goes home, more or less, and the world moves on. It meant something, but there doesn't have to be a sequel. Love this movie.

[@JohnJBrowne11209]

I've had a copy of this movie since the 1990s. I've shown it to virtually every woman I have dated. The one who actually enjoyed it? Ten years later we've still together

[@kev3d]

Of the "1930s that never were" adventure comic films (The Phantom, The Shadow, Dick Tracy, and the Rocketeer), the Rocketeer is one of the most fun and probably the best made of all of them.

[@UnchartedX]

jennifer connelly, enough said. now do "career opportunities"

[@dongeraci8599]

Wait... Someone else watched that?

[@DrakeEB]

Her riding the horsey scene....

[@reicherreinhardtvonkesslri9847]

She was good in "dark city" as well.

[@soarindragon603]

@@DrakeEB a classic. LoL

[@New2Kendo]

That see through white tank top drone this young man crazy, thats when I feel in love with JC

[@adamofgrayskull7735]

Not to mention that Timothy Dalton has one of the best death scenes in movie history

[@S_raB]

Drinker, along these same lines is "Last Action Hero" 1993 cinema gold. Please review it, keeping in mind how perfectly it satires our current Hollywood main stream films and their absurdity, let alone absolute stupidity.

[@garyarmitage9359]

The German Hitman was a takeoff of 30's and 40's actor Rondo Hatton who really looked like the guy in the movie. Great Movie, Drinker! Great Review!

[@eziop5539]

And don't forget the absolutely amazing soundtrack by James Horner (RIP)

[@brendanpelkey120]

yeah the rocketeer theme is one of most beautiful pieces of music i've ever heard.

[@joshhiebert6663]

You forgot to mention it's got one of the best theme songs ever

[@stephenlanuto5993]

James Horner for the win

[@michaelbrett2760]

One of his greats

[@iansands8607]

I have this in my DVD collection. Great fun, great action, and Jennifer Connelly is stunningly beautiful, and what I like about the hero Cliff Secord is he's an underdog but never lets that fact hold him back, in other words a true hero.

[@bocconom]

My wife and i love this movie. We could never figure out why it received such little attention. It is FUN with great characters and engaging plot, perfect for a date night or family night, and it shows great respect for 30's and 40's cinema.

[@robertlocock5636]

The Frankenstein's monster character is actually based an a real man. An actor named Rondo Hatton, the guy suffered from acromegaly hence his distinctive appearance.

[@johnmartin4152]

Yup. Good catch.

[@_XR40_]

I thought it was George Floyd....

[@Beedo_Sookcool]

I didn't see "The Rocketeer" until I bought the DVD in the Aughts. By that time, I'd already seen "The Brute Man" on MST3K, and instantly recognised who Tiny Ron was supposed to be made up as. They paid fantastic attention to period detail. All the Art Deco in the film is just droolworthy.

[@jeremyburnet4855]

Coincidentally I rewatched this film about a month ago and realised I’d forgotten how good it was. Jenny Blake is also a far better example of a “strong female character” than anything I’ve seen in the last half dozen years (that includes you, Rey)

[@beowulfsrevenge4369]

And absolutely stunning to boot! Just goes to show you can make a competent, compelling and smoking hot female character!

[@ronmani9476]

funny how many people have just re-watched it in the last little while... did so myself with the GF and both of us thought "why dont they make fun movies any more"?

[@Emptybee]

"I've finally played a scene with Neville Sinclair."

[@Capsuleer7]

The Rocketeer will always be my favorite hero. The musical score in the film also truly sells that Golden Age feel.

[@FoodLaneAdventures]

I love everything about this movie. I'm so glad it was never remade, and even that it never got a sequel. It's so beautifully self-contained. Even after I saw it as an 8-year-old kid, and would put on a bulky backpack and zoom around my house pretending I was Cliff, I had trouble figuring out how I would continue his adventures, with the only prototype destroyed in canon.

[@carlh-thehermitwithwi-fi679]

SO MANY good actors...Arkin, Sorvino, Dalton, Campbell, Connelly, and so many others. How this got forgotten is a sin.

[@festo8756]

The movie got forgotten because its terrible

[@HarrynJessie]

@@festo8756 The movie received positive contemporary reviews, including from such notable critics as Roger Ebert. It obviously wasn't terrible.

[@odiedodieuk]

It’s only forgotten if we allow it to be. Show it to your friends, kids and colleagues

[@odiedodieuk]

@@festo8756 dude I love a good troll but you need more sass, humour or even just reasons 👌

[@festo8756]

@@odiedodieuk The movie cost 4O mill but made only 46 mill. Besides that the problems of this movie should be obvious. I didn't think anybody would need me to spell it out.

[@COctagons]

Glad I'm not the only one who appreciates this little obscure gem.

[@MemorableVirus]

I had the read-along book to this movie! I remember the first time I watched this, it was when Disney used to show movies on ABC on Friday nights. Absolutely loved it.

[@gunsgames9812]

One of my favorite films as a kid. Watched this every day after school on vhs till the tape wore through. Just a good film. No pretense, no pandering, no political message, no bullshit.

[@RanDyLan]

I worked for the producers of this movie (as a lowly $450/week script reader) and remember how beautiful Jennifer Connelly looked when I visited the sat at Griffith Park one night. I haven’t seen it since it’s premiere, so thanks for the reminder, because now I’m gonna show it to my 10-year-old son!

[@md_vandenberg]

In whatever way you helped, thanks for the movie.

[@SkarzRazr]

I thought you was gonna say"I haven't see it since it's premier, so thanks for the reminder, because now I'm gonna knock one out over it" 🤣🤣🤣

[@KonigGustavAdolph]

Eddie Valentine (Paul Sorvino) is a mob boss who is only in like 4 scenes and his character has more depth and development than half the MCU. And all of Disney Star Wars.

[@VoreAxalon]

Paul Sorvino became one of my favorite actors because of this movie

[@AndreNitroX]

Agreed

[@ShojoBakunyu]

Don't let the MCU fan boys hear you say that... When they're not furiously masturbating to the MCU they're online trying to "POWN" anyone that says they're anything short of perfection. Want to see peak autism? Go read the comments on the Midnights Edge Facebook Page. It's literally scary at times... I'm not exaggerating either... There's maybe 6 people in that whole group that aren't rabid fan boys. (The term being derogatory and including the nutter women there as well.)

[@brauliob]

I just LOVE when him and the FBI guy meet, look at each other, shrug, then continue shooting Nazis!

[@AndreNitroX]

@@brauliob Yes, respect!

[@rickerson81]

I loved every bit of that film. Soundtrack, acting, story, visuals.... Just an awesome, perfect movie. Go away now.

[@jarnojuusola6611]

I remember this. It's still one of my all time favourites.