The Rocketeer Movie Review

Lightheaded fun. Bill Campbell plays a 1930s stunt pilot who stumbles upon a prototype jet-backpack sought after by the nasty Nazis. Donning the secret weapon and a custom-made mask, he becomes a flying superhero, in the spirit of the ‘30s’ matinee serials. Breezy, family entertainment with stupendous special effects and tons of Hollywood references, like a great villain (Timothy Dalton) clearly based on Errol Flynn, and a Rhondo Hatton lump-alike (the not-so-tiny Tiny Ron with accents by make-up king Rick Baker). Campbell's All-American girlfriend is played by Jennifer Connelly, obviously chosen for her resemblance to ‘50s’ pin-up queen Bettie Page. Dave Stevens, upon whose gorgeous comic this film is based, drew her character as a tribute to the still popular Ms. Page.

1991 (PG) 109m/C Bill Campbell, Jennifer Connelly, Alan Arkin, Timothy Dalton, Paul Sorvino, Melora Hardin, Tiny Ron, Terry O'Quinn, Ed Lauter, James Handy; D: Joe Johnston; W: Danny Bilson, Paul DeMeo; M: James Horner. VHS, Beta, LV DIS, CCB, IME