The world of the Rocketeer would make for a great animated series, perhaps in a style to the DCAU's Batman & Superman Animated Series. Maybe even taking some inspiration from the comic book series that inspired the Rocketeer. It's doubtful as there's already a Disney Junior series staring Cliff's great granddaughter. Billy Campbell even returned play Cliff's grandson.
There was a KickStarter campaign started by people responsible for the 90's Spider-Man TAS to get a Rocketeer TAS in the same style. Seems like it failed, unfortunately.
@@UmbrellaGent I'm a bit late but that Kickstarter (or, indiegogo in this case) was for a rocketmen animated series Similar idea of guy with jetpack but rocketmen is a older series
@@J.S.3259 Which is strange, since he directed Ready Player One, a franchise he didn't create (though he KIND of did since a lot of it was originally inspired by his work).
The Rocketeer is likely a HUGE reason why art deco is such a huge part of my art work. That poster alone makes it worth watching. I love this movie and it's style.
The animation segments were directed by experienced effects animator Mark Dindal, who went on to direct Disney’s 2000 comedy The Emperors New Groove, Disney’s 2005 CGI movie Chicken Little, and Warner Bros. 1997 musical Cats Don’t Dance
The film is a pretty close adaptation to Dave Stevens comic. I believe he was both writer and artist. The art work is amazingly good. And the movie gets its look and feel from it.
Yes, his Rocketeer and Captain America: The First Avenger perfectly embody the 1930s and 1940s superhero genre in its simple earnestness, but with a modern sensibility to make it work now. As far as I see, Johnston did Dave Stevens for the former and Joe Simon and Jack Kirby proud for the essence of the characters he adapted.
I actually went to see Rocketeer when I was 11, I absolutely loved it and to this day still love it.... It also had Jennifer Connelly looking knockout gorgeous
I think you just explained why I absolutely adore Captain America: The First Avenger so much. It's not a Marvel movie as much as it is a Golden-Age comic book brought to life.
The whole time you were describing Joe Johnston I was thinking "this sounds like a great guy to tackle Captain America or Superman" without realizing he already had lol
@@SirBlackReeds I think the first Capt America film had a sense of wonder and adventure albeit under the backdrop of WW2 that was perfect for Joe Johnston. With the Darker Tone of Winter Soldier, I don't know how well his style would have meshed with the subject matter in the sequel
god your videos are impeccable and I agree with your takes on Johnston. He fits within those directors that can be seen as Spielberg knock-offs but not in a bad way. These directors created Spielberg-esque Blockbusters in the same era as Spielberg: Joe Dante, John Landis, Joe Johnston, Wolfgang Petersen, Roland Emmerich- all their 90s flicks have a very similar aesthetic
Speaking of flops, Scott Pilgrim was one I saw in theaters even though I was poor and living out of my car at the time. It was such a shame a few months later to hear it flopped, but it's been great seeing how much love it gets from the internet nowadays.
In the current age of ADD and Hollywood having basically dumbed down the movie going public, a LOT of really good films flop because when you look at some of the most successful films of the past, those films were made for a specific demographic -- not to appeal to everyone. The lesson Hollywood hasn't learned to this day is that a well-made genre film that knows it's audience can appeal to a wider audience.
Is it? Scott Pilgrim is one of Edgar Wright's weaker films, and both the movie and graphic novel series have had a negative impact overall. For example, it does have something to do with the fact that shows with art styles that look like Tumblr's crap keep getting plopped out. Remember, there was a time when everyone was drawing their characters in Bryan Lee O'Malley's "style."
In terms of flops getting their day in the end, I'm surprised that Speed Racer didn't get mentioned. It feels like it's coming from a similar starting place to the Rocketeer, even if aimed at completely different inspiration and thus taking off in another direction, and has its own bust to beloved turnaround situation born of a smallish but dedicated set of fans who fell in love.
@@NelsonStJames it wasn’t a terrible attempt. That is, not ENTIRELY. it’s complicated. 2000 A.D. and the Dredd universe is truly like the Stallone 1995 film. It’s ALSO like the Urban 2012 film. It’s both silly and gritty. And the REAL Dredd balances somewhere between the two films. Aside from the choice to remove Dredd’s helmet, the awful Rob Schneider comedy sidekick, and the flying Lawmaster bike, 1995’s Judge Dredd was actually a surprisingly faithful adaptation.
Unpopular opinion: I kinda like Jurassic Park 3. I know the story is kind of sloppy, but Sam Neil does a pretty good job as Alan Grant as always and the special effects are still pretty good.
JP3 also has some decent lines like Alan telling Billy that some of the most awful things that people ever did were done with "the best intentions", and Alan's talk with Eric about the difference between astronomers and astronauts.
I still absolutely love this movie. It's one of the rare movies that perfectly does what it was setting out to do. And that James Horner score is one of my top film scores of all time.
I love this guy. His sensibility and efficiency made him perfect for the first Captain America movie and his output is generally terrific. I will see anything this man creates,
Joe Johnston is a really a fantastic director, he's been one of the few people to really captures the adventure aspect of his film. The Shadow, The Rocketeer, The Phantom, and Dick Track are probably some of my favorite comicbook films growing up due to how they managed to capture that certain feel of fun.
Still haven’t seen Dicky Tracy, but I LOVE The Rocketeer, and The Phantom was a great bit of fun. The Shadow… It had a great style, I liked Margo Lane, and it has an incredible villain, but it is my least favorite. They rewrote the ending because a fire, and it’s incredibly rushed as a result.
Wonder Woman I was the same kind of cheesy superhero movie like the Rocketeer, and I loved it because of that. Diana is just the essence of goodness and doing the right thing while being a duck out of water making her great powers and intellect more tolerable. And Diana deals with the PTSD of another character after saving him earlier in a way that Captain America does not. Cap is too macho while Diana is just so sensitive. And WW made a lot of money.
I was at the Infamous 20th Anniversary Rocketeer event MC'd by Kevin Smith. Got to meet Joe at the after party at the Max Factor Museum. Easy to talk to but, man, does he lament the sad reality that "The Rocketeer" lives in. If you've seen the footage of the Q&A, it comes across how deeply he loves that film and how painful it is that he sits in the minority with it's audience. Kind of why "Captain America: The First Avenger" is the way it is was due to wanting to get "The Rocketeer" right this time. The audience got to see the Captain America trailer about 8 - 12 hours before the world at the event and Kevin Smith made sure to point out how "The Rocketeer" the trailer seemed... Joe looked mortified at the statement. That said, the film should have been released about 5 years EARLIER to capitalize on the retro wave during the mid eighties. People forget that pre-1960s Americana was IN in a very big way. The 1990s saw the anti-culture wave, easiest seen through the mentioned 90s Alt multimedia prism. "The Rocketeer" wasn't gritty enough or mocking enough to appease the polarized sensibilities. Cole Porter's "Let's Do It" got a big music and dance sequence in "Tank Girl." Part of the alt ethos (if you need a label) usually played on the old and familiar then slathered on sarcastic teenager to it. Soundgarden's "Black Hole Sun" and Nirvana's "In Bloom" music videos being the low hanging fruit examples. Man I miss Bebop Burger...
I'm glad you spent some time talking about Johnston and his career. He has always struck me as an underrated film director and his best moves are retro pulp action/adventure tales like HIDALGO, a movie that deserves more love. I also think that OCTOBER SKY is a really wonderful film as well, featuring a young Jake Gyllenhaal.
Awesome video and thank you for the spotlight on Joe Johnston! He's one of my favorite directors and The Rocketeer is one of my favorite movies. So underrated! Fair point on Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow as well (also one of my favorite movies. I'm a sucker for this kind of film). Time to watch The Rocketeer again myself. Thanks and keep up the great work!
It’s crazy to me that I’ve seen the poster for the Rocketeer and this video has been the first time I’ve seen actual footage. Usually when I’ve heard of something I’ve at least seen a little clip somewhere but no... just that iconic poster I’ve been curious about for years. I watched it tonight, and damn man, it was pretty good. I really loved that it did the setup and payoff for SO MANY THINGS, and usually beautifully. So I’ll try my best to understand how and when to use it for my own stories, and go from there! Big fan of your stuff, it always makes me happy when you post :)
But, as the man said, most find a reliable cult audience that will keep watching them for years on end (if they're actually good, at least). Which, arguably, makes them perfect candidates for streaming movies.
Most Steampunk/dieselpunk labeled movies aren't really films in those genres, they only take on the superficial trappings of those genres. In that whole list of films probably Steamboy is the only real Steampunk film in that lot. The Iron Giant is a good film, but it's really only a sf film that had the misfortune of not being made by Disney, since Americans tend to not go see any animated films unless they are made by Disney.
Maybe instead of movies, they should be cartoons. I think that might be a good middle ground to go. Or maybe I just really want a cool dieselpunk cartoon.
One of my favorite feel good movies.... I wish Joe Johnston would continue the Rocketeer's adventures on mediums like Netflix with the same old-fashioned values and flare. Too bad Bill Campbell didn't go on to bigger and better films. He certainly was a charismatic leading man in the movie.
I was fortunate enough to have gotten out of the military in 1988 and had a friend that worked at a local comic book shop. He introduced me to Dave Stevens’s art work, the creator of The Rocketeer. I hunted down all the back issues over a few years. The Rocketeer was released the weekend before my wedding. A lot of great memories connected with the comic and the film. Sadly Stevens passed away from Leukemia in his early 50’s. Thanks for the review. Yes, I agree, I thought Johnston’s First Avenger was a Rocketeer spin off.
I loved the Rocketeer. My parents took me to see it 4 or 5 times on first run, went as him for that Halloween, and saw it another dozen when it showed up in the cheap-seats theater.
I’ve never seen your stuff before, and I am very impressed with the passion and professionalism. Very informative and insightful video, and I absolutely will be rewatching The Rocketeer. Well done. 👍👍 I was 13 when The Rocketeer was released, and remember the initial hype. As an avid comic book reader and collector from a small town, it piqued my interest significantly. The problem I remember is it not being released 100% wide. If I remember correctly it did not play at my regional cineplex, and I was very disappointed. That compounded with the fact that my parents took us to see both Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves AND Terminator 2 certainly echoes your assessment. As excited as I was about it, the fervor paled in comparison to BATMAN two years prior; the first time I remember waiting in a line that went all the way outside and into the parking lot. Cool stuff, and great job, subbed!
For what it's worth, The Rocketeer's gross included the cost of my admission to the theater twice. It's just a pure, innocent ball of fun. No grit, no angst, just the handsome lead saving the woman he loves. Sometimes, when you sit down to watch something, that's exactly what you need. Also, I've only fallen asleep at the theater a couple of times in my entire life. And only once after my age reached double digits. And that movie was Gladiator. That movie was (and is) dee-yoo-double-ell DULL!
That jurassic park 3 ring tone scene where they realize the phone is actually in the dinosaur is still one of my favorite moments in any movie. I still remember that scene more than 10 years later. I also don't it was as bad in general as anyone says. I would take jurassic park 3 over any of the newest movies.
I love this movie. It was one of our go-to's in my family when we were growing up. I also rewatched it during lockdown and boy it really holds up well! I think another part of looking at the success (or lack thereof) with this film is how much it cost to make, versus it's return. I think the cost of most films today are a HUGE liability for their "success" when they spend as much as they do and in such a wasteful way as they do. This is not to say that this film was wasteful, It's in fact very much so not, but this film could probably be produced for far far less than it was back in the 90s. I feel like if a film like this came out today, produced on a 5-10 million dollar budget would comparably KILL IT at the box office. I think people need some optimism, right now. I hope films like this make a comeback.
I saw this in theaters when I was in high school. I went out and grabbed the soundtrack that day and wore out the tape listening to it. I was one of those teens who preferred Cole Porter to Nirvana.
Thank you for making this. Me and my friends a few years ago began to record a podcast watching old, forgotten, box office fails; and by far, the best movie we watched was the Rocketeer. It was lovely to be reminded of how fun and enjoyable the movie is.
Another great video man. Film snobs make it seem like cheerful movies are something to despise, but there’s nothing wrong with enjoying a well made, simple story that prioritizes joy as opposed to forced pretentious themes.
I want to like that movie... SO much more than I did. I think it was that just didn't care for Sky Captain and Polly's relationship. Which was mostly bickering. Which could've worked for what they were trying, but like the guy said, it just wasn't there.
I never realized Joe Johnston was behind so many of my favorite movies. The only actual complaint I might have with his movies is that after creating such likeable characters, he does little to develop them.
Well that kind of goes right into the efficiency of his work as discussed in the video, he prioritises plot over everything else and doesn't linger on character or worldbuilding aspects.
Thank you for highlighting this movie! I practically wore my VHS copy out back in the day I watched it so much. It's a rare kind of film that I don't think could be made today.
I've gotta say, I am continually impressed by how consistently engaging and informative your videos have been over the past 5 years. I honestly don't know how you do it.
I knew Dave Stevens when we were both in high school. He was a brilliant artist then and showed me early sketches for what would become The Rocketeer. He was truly gifted and a wonderful human being taken from us way too soon.
Fun Fact: Dave Stevens was a longtime admirer of 1950s glamour and pin-up model Bettie Page; he modeled the look of the Rocketeer's girlfriend after her and featured her image in other illustrations too, which helped contribute to the renewed public interest in Page and her modeling career. After discovering that the retired Page was still alive and lived nearby, Stevens became friends with her, providing both personal assistance and helping to arrange financial compensation to her from various publishers for the use of her image and reprints of her many glamor and pin-up photos.
Counter point: it is a great film. Is it 'Taxi Driver'? No. But as you know it does something incredibly rare in modern storytelling, which is make the audience believe it's gee whiz bang optimism. That makes it great, especially in such a cynical age. And I think that feeling captures the feeling of the early years of flight as well.
as an older teenager when this movie came out, I don't remember paying a lot of attention to this when it came out(I was 16). It was a comic book property, so it was sort of marketed like "Hey, it's that character from a comic book you know!" but it wasn't a mainstream comic book, so mostly people were like "Am I supposed to know this character?" It looked fun, but also maybe a little silly(both are correct), and ultimately, I just don't remember many people paying any attention to it. I saw it when it came out on VHS and really liked it. I like it to this day as a comic book movie that knows that comic book movies are supposed to be fun.
RUclips’s algorithm sent your video my way, good pick. I did plop my money down to see the Rocketeer along with a few others when they came out like 1983’s The Right Stuff, the Indiana Jones movies, 1998’s Pleasantville, 1999’s October Sky, and even 2015’s Tomorrowland. Loved all those movies, however, the Rocketeer and Pleasantville found a place in my move playlist for life.
My goodness, how I love this movie. I remember going to see it in an almost empty theater, but still I came out just loving it. Then again I’ve always loved old 40’s movies 🤷, and that poster is destined to hang on my home theater wall.
You spoke about this movie in a way that was captivating, interesting and thoughtful. Keep it up. There are few things more enjoyable than listening to film fans talk enthusiastically about movies.
That flyby scene from the cockpit POV in The Mandalorian to me was pure Rocketeer. Knowing he was a part of creating Boba Fett makes it make even more sense
This was fantastic. I have very fond memories of watching The Rocketeer in theaters when I was young (I think I would have been ten). The next day I attempted to make a cardboard replica of the Rocketeer's helmet out of cardboard and masking tape. It looked more like a Cenobite torture device than the Rocketeer, but I remember being very proud of it at the time 😂😂😂
Serious question: who is actually going to movies these days? How does it fit into the working lifestyle that’s required to survive in the post-financial collapse world? Are there people who can spare 2 hours worth of wages (more if parking costs $) for 90 minutes of entertainment? Not to mention the constraints of finding and affording childcare for the evening, and the energy needed to venture out after working your shifts. I think I’ve gone to theater maybe 5 times in the decade since I was a teenager. So it’s a much different question to ask whether a movie like the Rocketeer could find success today compared to the 1990’s.
Nailed it. Johnston wants to elevate the audience in the most sincere and earnest fashion. He wants to entertain and have folks leave the theater smiling. Like you mentioned hes also got a designers sensibility and there is an economy and efficiency to his work, no wasted lines, no fat, trimmed and precise. I love Johnstons work because of all these things, because of his almost bucolic sensibility that harkens back to the idea of Americana, a simpler time. Its honestly refreshing to see his name as the director and know Im gonna have a good time.
Seriously, THIS is the most underrated comic book film Disney has EVER produced. It's sad really. Fun fact, my first cousin once removed was the Director of Photography for Sky Captain, so it will FOREVER be important to me.
My very first liscensed hard plastic box thermos lunchbox as a kid that I brought to my early days of school was a royal blue Rocketeer lunchbox and I loved that thing.
I remember being 8 or 9 years old and seeing a giant 'coming soon' cardboard cutout of the Rocketeer in the movie theater. It didn't say anything, it only said 'Rocketeer' and 'Coming Soon', but in that same art-deco style as the poster. And it left such a huge impression on me that I remember that moment more than my eventual first time seeing the movie. So with that, I feel like that art-deco style promotional material worked. Also, I love this movie now that I'm older. They don't make 'em like they used to.
I saw this in theaters when I was 8 and I was ENTHRALLED. I had been looking forward to it for weeks (no idea why, maybe it was the early days of the Disney Channel and their nonstop marketing for their upcoming slate) and walked out of the theater feeling like I was walking on clouds. Such a wonderful adventure film. I will love it always.
Hyped to see you giving this movie and Joe Johnston some serious love! He's one of my fave directors, for all of the reasons you said here. Great work on this one.
Jurassic Park 3 is one of my favorites in the series solely because of my obsession with dino crisis. No other Jurrasic film has that feeling of nature taking over like the third one did in my opinion.
Ooo. The Rocketeer was one of my favorite movies as a kid. I haven’t seen it in years. You’re giving me so much nostalgia right now. ❤ It came out when I was in 7th grade so I think I was the perfect age for it.
Another huge issue that contributed to the movie's under performance was that no one knew how to 'sell' it to audiences. The previews were a disaster that had everyone scratching their heads thinking 'what is this'. I saw it when it was first released and from the opening scene I knew it was going to be a special kind of magic. Just two guys opening hanger doors AND the incredible score that went along with it still moves me so powerfully even after I have seen it so many times. And it hit another deep, deep chord within me as ever since the days of Commander Cody I have always wanted that rocket pack. To blast off into the sky and fly like a bat out of hell. My dream brought to cinematic life. I believe the jetpack is one of the most powerful of nerdy (in a good way) icons in all of science fiction. At least for those of us who grew up in the '50s and '60s. Finally the very concept that made it into one of my all time films, and also made it a flop was the innocence of it all. A mythical America that never really existed yet one so many of us want to believe in. Audiences when this film came out, and especially today turn their noses up at such concepts. They are so jaded and disgusted with ourselves that they believe our species is at its best when it is morally evil. And so many films that are huge successes show exactly this. From Game of Thrones to Squid Games, this is how we want to see ourselves. We have so lost our way.
Captain America had this montage that would have been an excellent group of shorts if they just expanded them all out for a full 3 minutes and dumped onto some place like RUclips. The Rocketeer didn't have that from what I remember but it was from a time when that sort of film short hand wasn't used the same way.
I still have The Rocketeer on VHS (recorded from an early Disney Channel screening for some extra pirating cred). I think I was a little too young to appreciate it fully, since I really didn’t hit my Art Deco/Jazz Age Appreciation Era until high school, but I sure as heck got on board for First Avenger. I can say without irony that it’s my favorite MCU flick, and I love the spiritual connection between the two. Thanks for reminding me of this one. Probably won’t try to find the VHS, but I’ll find a way to watch it again. :)
8:27 It's honestly why I love Captain America: First Avenger It's sincere attitude, and cheesy 1940s pulpy world is so lovable, I can't help but think that while yeah, Cap's character was much better defined in the later movies, he's so likable in his innocence and good will, even if he isn't as interesting as he would be later as a man out of time, he's the perfect representation of a good person doing great things, not because of the serum, but because he is a good man, and Joe perfectly captures that in Steve, and the Russo brothers build him from there with the rest of his films. He laid a foundation of great character building with First Avenger, and he's really underrrated in that sense.
the poster of this movie hung in the hallways of the multiplex i went to as a kid for years. i was always intriged by it but never bothered to seek it out. i felt that feeling of pastiche and old timeyness even as a little shit lol. maybe ill finally rent it
Another great video! Keep it up and keep em coming :D Side note, as an editor myself, it's so weird to hear a piece of stock music used in other projects in the wild 😂
God, what I wouldn’t have given for Johnston to have made Captain America in the early 90’s. There’s a comic book miniseries titled The Adventures of Captain America: Sentinel of Liberty that would have been pitch perfect. I love the Albert Pyun film very much, but I would gladly trade it in for that film.
Kinda funny how he just name drops Jimmy Stewart, Gary Cooper, and Errol Flynn and expects us to be familiar with their films from the 30s, 40s, and 50s, but takes the time to define the word "everyman", a pretty ubiquitous trope. It's fair, given that "everyman" is a concept that's necessary for his argument and knowledge of those actors is not. But it's funny.
Periodically I experience a need to watch The Shadow. Another cheesy pulp opus that I'd say sits right where it should in people's memories. This invariably leads me to The Phantom. Last time this happened I capped it off with The Rocketeer. What a terrific breakdown. You jelled so many unspoken feelings I have about these movies into a cohesive essay. Well done, my man.
I donno… The Rocketeer was my favorite film as a child. In fact I had the Art Deco poster (featured at 9:40) hanging over my bed from the time I was 7 until i went to college. And it only came down because I took it to my dorm room. Johnston was one of the first director’s whose name I knew. He definitely helped light my fuse and inspired me to pursue filmmaking. And I didn’t even know he was involved with Star Wars!
This music score is my favourite next to Superman 1978. For someone born this century, I’m amazed on your study of early films. I grew up in the mid sixties and seventies and mostly look back to well... early 20th century. I enjoy the 1940s music and films most of all, which is way before my time. I’ve worked on a movie or two of my favourite era, which is likely why I love The Rocketeer!
An equally nostalgic post-war continuation of the Rocketeer/First Avenger genre is Marvel's "Agent Carter" 2-season adventure series, with Hayley Atwell reprising her role as the girl Captain America left behind. It managed to strike an engaging balance between 1940's intrigue and Marvel's overarching superhero tropes.
For some reason, I didn't watch 'The Rocketeer' when it was released in the theaters here in Brasil. It's time to watch it. And by the way, I also loved its art deco poster. It brought back memories of the 'serial movies' from the 30s and 40s and also the Fleischer Brothers' Superman cartoons some Brazilian TV channels used to broadcast as fillers in their afternoon slots, such as 'The Cisco Kid', 'The Desert Hawk' and the awful 1943 'Batman'. And by the way, 'Captain Sky And The World Of Tomorrow' reminds me of those Republic serial movies and the attack of the flying robot scene is a beautiful tribute to one of the Fleischer Brothers' Superman cartoon episodes.
I think I'm a Jon Jonson fan. Since I have enjoyed all of his movies. An everybody hero is a "Hero of Thousand Face" type. I think Jon Jonson really likes the Hero Journey storytelling.
The world of the Rocketeer would make for a great animated series, perhaps in a style to the DCAU's Batman & Superman Animated Series. Maybe even taking some inspiration from the comic book series that inspired the Rocketeer. It's doubtful as there's already a Disney Junior series staring Cliff's great granddaughter. Billy Campbell even returned play Cliff's grandson.
There was a KickStarter campaign started by people responsible for the 90's Spider-Man TAS to get a Rocketeer TAS in the same style. Seems like it failed, unfortunately.
@@UmbrellaGent That legit makes me sad
@@UmbrellaGent I'm a bit late but that Kickstarter (or, indiegogo in this case) was for a rocketmen animated series
Similar idea of guy with jetpack but rocketmen is a older series
@@wyattpeek429 Oh, you're right. My bad.
Given his history with the franchise, I'm honestly surprised no one has given Joe Johnston a blank check to do a STAR WARS film.
Logical thinking that lucasfilm is not their best. Once upon a time I have that idea also with 70 mm
Giving Speilberg a Star Wars film is also a no brainer
Spielberg turned down the chance to direct every SW between ROTJ and Episode III. He’s not interested in being part of a franchise he didn’t create
@@J.S.3259 Which is strange, since he directed Ready Player One, a franchise he didn't create (though he KIND of did since a lot of it was originally inspired by his work).
I think he could have done a pretty good job salvaging Rise of Skywalker
The Rocketeer is likely a HUGE reason why art deco is such a huge part of my art work. That poster alone makes it worth watching. I love this movie and it's style.
Can I see your artwork anywhere online? I love Art Deco and find it interesting to „reinvent“ that style.
The animation segments were directed by experienced effects animator Mark Dindal, who went on to direct Disney’s 2000 comedy The Emperors New Groove, Disney’s 2005 CGI movie Chicken Little, and Warner Bros. 1997 musical Cats Don’t Dance
The film is a pretty close adaptation to Dave Stevens comic. I believe he was both writer and artist. The art work is amazingly good. And the movie gets its look and feel from it.
And just to add, Dave Stevens did the story boards for Raiders of the Lost Arc.
The comic is back up and running too. Beautiful work
Joe Johnston is a criminally underrated director. He should make more movies.
Well, he's doing a project called Shrunk and he's doing a Chronicles of Narnia movie. So we'll see what he got in store.
@@katherinealvarez9216 goodie!
Imagine him making a Superman Movie!!! I'd go watch that to the theater as many times as possible
Yes, his Rocketeer and Captain America: The First Avenger perfectly embody the 1930s and 1940s superhero genre in its simple earnestness, but with a modern sensibility to make it work now. As far as I see, Johnston did Dave Stevens for the former and Joe Simon and Jack Kirby proud for the essence of the characters he adapted.
I think he's retired.
A few years ago, he said he would retire after doing the Narnia film, The Silver Chair. But that project fizzled out.
The Rocketeer is my definition of a 'popcorn film'. It's fun action pulp that manages to find the right balance between serious and corny.
I actually went to see Rocketeer when I was 11, I absolutely loved it and to this day still love it.... It also had Jennifer Connelly looking knockout gorgeous
To be honest, when isn't she.....
I think you just explained why I absolutely adore Captain America: The First Avenger so much. It's not a Marvel movie as much as it is a Golden-Age comic book brought to life.
Easily my #1 favourite Marvel movie. It stands very thoroughly above the rest.
The whole time you were describing Joe Johnston I was thinking "this sounds like a great guy to tackle Captain America or Superman" without realizing he already had lol
It's a shame he was never even considered for The Winter Soldier.
@@SirBlackReeds I think the first Capt America film had a sense of wonder and adventure albeit under the backdrop of WW2 that was perfect for Joe Johnston. With the Darker Tone of Winter Soldier, I don't know how well his style would have meshed with the subject matter in the sequel
Same
god your videos are impeccable and I agree with your takes on Johnston. He fits within those directors that can be seen as Spielberg knock-offs but not in a bad way. These directors created Spielberg-esque Blockbusters in the same era as Spielberg: Joe Dante, John Landis, Joe Johnston, Wolfgang Petersen, Roland Emmerich- all their 90s flicks have a very similar aesthetic
2:10 "And he designed 'The Iron Giant'."
**head explodes**
I’ve watched this video three times, and somehow that still keeps surprising me.
Speaking of flops, Scott Pilgrim was one I saw in theaters even though I was poor and living out of my car at the time. It was such a shame a few months later to hear it flopped, but it's been great seeing how much love it gets from the internet nowadays.
Well yes, it's one of the BIGGEST comic book films that led the torch for both video game films and SPIDER-VERSE.
In the current age of ADD and Hollywood having basically dumbed down the movie going public, a LOT of really good films flop because when you look at some of the most successful films of the past, those films were made for a specific demographic -- not to appeal to everyone. The lesson Hollywood hasn't learned to this day is that a well-made genre film that knows it's audience can appeal to a wider audience.
@@realar That's over-inflating it.
Is it? Scott Pilgrim is one of Edgar Wright's weaker films, and both the movie and graphic novel series have had a negative impact overall. For example, it does have something to do with the fact that shows with art styles that look like Tumblr's crap keep getting plopped out. Remember, there was a time when everyone was drawing their characters in Bryan Lee O'Malley's "style."
@@SirBlackReeds
Please shut up.
In terms of flops getting their day in the end, I'm surprised that Speed Racer didn't get mentioned. It feels like it's coming from a similar starting place to the Rocketeer, even if aimed at completely different inspiration and thus taking off in another direction, and has its own bust to beloved turnaround situation born of a smallish but dedicated set of fans who fell in love.
It's easily that last truly great, or at least very good, film that the Wachowski Bros. made.
You know it's a good day when the Royal Ocean Film Society uploads
Dredd was another comic book movie that flopped at the box office, but has gone on to be a cult favourite.
Because it was actually a remake that was GOOD.
Dredd's biggest problem was that terrible first attempt at adapting the character.
@@NelsonStJames it wasn’t a terrible attempt. That is, not ENTIRELY. it’s complicated.
2000 A.D. and the Dredd universe is truly like the Stallone 1995 film. It’s ALSO like the Urban 2012 film. It’s both silly and gritty. And the REAL Dredd balances somewhere between the two films.
Aside from the choice to remove Dredd’s helmet, the awful Rob Schneider comedy sidekick, and the flying Lawmaster bike, 1995’s Judge Dredd was actually a surprisingly faithful adaptation.
@@GeahkBurchill Well, it got the title correct.
The most recent one is better than the Stalone incarnation.
Joe Johnston’s October Sky is also criminally overlooked. One of my favourite movies!
Unpopular opinion: I kinda like Jurassic Park 3. I know the story is kind of sloppy, but Sam Neil does a pretty good job as Alan Grant as always and the special effects are still pretty good.
Agreed. I enjoyed JP3 way more than JP2.
I like it too
JP3 also has some decent lines like Alan telling Billy that some of the most awful things that people ever did were done with "the best intentions", and Alan's talk with Eric about the difference between astronomers and astronauts.
@@jbotkin47 For sure, but I really hate JP2.
That is one of those movies that people make out to be FAR worse than it is.
A few months ago I decided to revisit both the Rocketeer and First Avenger and they do hold up as fun action movies.
I was practically raised on watching the Rocketeer, the Mummy, and Jurassic Park on VHS. Certainly an old gem that still holds up today!
I still absolutely love this movie. It's one of the rare movies that perfectly does what it was setting out to do. And that James Horner score is one of my top film scores of all time.
I love this guy. His sensibility and efficiency made him perfect for the first Captain America movie and his output is generally terrific. I will see anything this man creates,
Joe Johnston is a really a fantastic director, he's been one of the few people to really captures the adventure aspect of his film. The Shadow, The Rocketeer, The Phantom, and Dick Track are probably some of my favorite comicbook films growing up due to how they managed to capture that certain feel of fun.
Still haven’t seen Dicky Tracy, but I LOVE The Rocketeer, and The Phantom was a great bit of fun. The Shadow…
It had a great style, I liked Margo Lane, and it has an incredible villain, but it is my least favorite. They rewrote the ending because a fire, and it’s incredibly rushed as a result.
Wonder Woman I was the same kind of cheesy superhero movie like the Rocketeer, and I loved it because of that. Diana is just the essence of goodness and doing the right thing while being a duck out of water making her great powers and intellect more tolerable.
And Diana deals with the PTSD of another character after saving him earlier in a way that Captain America does not. Cap is too macho while Diana is just so sensitive.
And WW made a lot of money.
I was at the Infamous 20th Anniversary Rocketeer event MC'd by Kevin Smith. Got to meet Joe at the after party at the Max Factor Museum. Easy to talk to but, man, does he lament the sad reality that "The Rocketeer" lives in. If you've seen the footage of the Q&A, it comes across how deeply he loves that film and how painful it is that he sits in the minority with it's audience. Kind of why "Captain America: The First Avenger" is the way it is was due to wanting to get "The Rocketeer" right this time. The audience got to see the Captain America trailer about 8 - 12 hours before the world at the event and Kevin Smith made sure to point out how "The Rocketeer" the trailer seemed... Joe looked mortified at the statement.
That said, the film should have been released about 5 years EARLIER to capitalize on the retro wave during the mid eighties. People forget that pre-1960s Americana was IN in a very big way. The 1990s saw the anti-culture wave, easiest seen through the mentioned 90s Alt multimedia prism. "The Rocketeer" wasn't gritty enough or mocking enough to appease the polarized sensibilities.
Cole Porter's "Let's Do It" got a big music and dance sequence in "Tank Girl." Part of the alt ethos (if you need a label) usually played on the old and familiar then slathered on sarcastic teenager to it. Soundgarden's "Black Hole Sun" and Nirvana's "In Bloom" music videos being the low hanging fruit examples.
Man I miss Bebop Burger...
Joe Johnson's *"Jumanji"* is still a must watch in my house. Very underrated director.
I'm glad you spent some time talking about Johnston and his career. He has always struck me as an underrated film director and his best moves are retro pulp action/adventure tales like HIDALGO, a movie that deserves more love. I also think that OCTOBER SKY is a really wonderful film as well, featuring a young Jake Gyllenhaal.
I didn't see this video when it came out, but I'm so glad it exists!
Awesome video and thank you for the spotlight on Joe Johnston! He's one of my favorite directors and The Rocketeer is one of my favorite movies. So underrated!
Fair point on Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow as well (also one of my favorite movies. I'm a sucker for this kind of film).
Time to watch The Rocketeer again myself. Thanks and keep up the great work!
It’s crazy to me that I’ve seen the poster for the Rocketeer and this video has been the first time I’ve seen actual footage. Usually when I’ve heard of something I’ve at least seen a little clip somewhere but no... just that iconic poster I’ve been curious about for years. I watched it tonight, and damn man, it was pretty good. I really loved that it did the setup and payoff for SO MANY THINGS, and usually beautifully. So I’ll try my best to understand how and when to use it for my own stories, and go from there! Big fan of your stuff, it always makes me happy when you post :)
Oh man, that one frame of most steampunk/dieselpunk movies being duds, hurts. It's the truth but it still hurts.
But, as the man said, most find a reliable cult audience that will keep watching them for years on end (if they're actually good, at least). Which, arguably, makes them perfect candidates for streaming movies.
Most Steampunk/dieselpunk labeled movies aren't really films in those genres, they only take on the superficial trappings of those genres. In that whole list of films probably Steamboy is the only real Steampunk film in that lot. The Iron Giant is a good film, but it's really only a sf film that had the misfortune of not being made by Disney, since Americans tend to not go see any animated films unless they are made by Disney.
@@NelsonStJames The Iron Giant's true misfortune is that it was released too early.
Maybe instead of movies, they should be cartoons. I think that might be a good middle ground to go.
Or maybe I just really want a cool dieselpunk cartoon.
One of my favorite feel good movies.... I wish Joe Johnston would continue the Rocketeer's adventures on mediums like Netflix with the same old-fashioned values and flare. Too bad Bill Campbell didn't go on to bigger and better films. He certainly was a charismatic leading man in the movie.
I was fortunate enough to have gotten out of the military in 1988 and had a friend that worked at a local comic book shop. He introduced me to Dave Stevens’s art work, the creator of The Rocketeer. I hunted down all the back issues over a few years. The Rocketeer was released the weekend before my wedding. A lot of great memories connected with the comic and the film. Sadly Stevens passed away from Leukemia in his early 50’s. Thanks for the review. Yes, I agree, I thought Johnston’s First Avenger was a Rocketeer spin off.
I loved the Rocketeer. My parents took me to see it 4 or 5 times on first run, went as him for that Halloween, and saw it another dozen when it showed up in the cheap-seats theater.
It would be awesome if you talked about The City of Lost Children, no one ever seems to
1 cockroach! Awesome Movie!!
I wish I could give this several hundred thumbs!
I’ve never seen your stuff before, and I am very impressed with the passion and professionalism. Very informative and insightful video, and I absolutely will be rewatching The Rocketeer. Well done. 👍👍
I was 13 when The Rocketeer was released, and remember the initial hype. As an avid comic book reader and collector from a small town, it piqued my interest significantly. The problem I remember is it not being released 100% wide. If I remember correctly it did not play at my regional cineplex, and I was very disappointed. That compounded with the fact that my parents took us to see both Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves AND Terminator 2 certainly echoes your assessment. As excited as I was about it, the fervor paled in comparison to BATMAN two years prior; the first time I remember waiting in a line that went all the way outside and into the parking lot. Cool stuff, and great job, subbed!
For what it's worth, The Rocketeer's gross included the cost of my admission to the theater twice. It's just a pure, innocent ball of fun. No grit, no angst, just the handsome lead saving the woman he loves. Sometimes, when you sit down to watch something, that's exactly what you need.
Also, I've only fallen asleep at the theater a couple of times in my entire life. And only once after my age reached double digits. And that movie was Gladiator. That movie was (and is) dee-yoo-double-ell DULL!
That jurassic park 3 ring tone scene where they realize the phone is actually in the dinosaur is still one of my favorite moments in any movie. I still remember that scene more than 10 years later. I also don't it was as bad in general as anyone says. I would take jurassic park 3 over any of the newest movies.
"Let's go watch The Rocketeer again." Don't have to tell me twice. One of my favorites.
I love this movie. It was one of our go-to's in my family when we were growing up. I also rewatched it during lockdown and boy it really holds up well! I think another part of looking at the success (or lack thereof) with this film is how much it cost to make, versus it's return. I think the cost of most films today are a HUGE liability for their "success" when they spend as much as they do and in such a wasteful way as they do. This is not to say that this film was wasteful, It's in fact very much so not, but this film could probably be produced for far far less than it was back in the 90s. I feel like if a film like this came out today, produced on a 5-10 million dollar budget would comparably KILL IT at the box office. I think people need some optimism, right now. I hope films like this make a comeback.
I saw this in theaters when I was in high school. I went out and grabbed the soundtrack that day and wore out the tape listening to it. I was one of those teens who preferred Cole Porter to Nirvana.
I’m one of those teens that prefers both
The $46 million worth of movie goers that saw it were those people too.
Thank you for making this. Me and my friends a few years ago began to record a podcast watching old, forgotten, box office fails; and by far, the best movie we watched was the Rocketeer. It was lovely to be reminded of how fun and enjoyable the movie is.
Another great video man. Film snobs make it seem like cheerful movies are something to despise, but there’s nothing wrong with enjoying a well made, simple story that prioritizes joy as opposed to forced pretentious themes.
The story behind how _Sky Captain_ came to be made is more fascinating than the film itself.
I want to like that movie... SO much more than I did. I think it was that just didn't care for Sky Captain and Polly's relationship. Which was mostly bickering.
Which could've worked for what they were trying, but like the guy said, it just wasn't there.
I never realized Joe Johnston was behind so many of my favorite movies. The only actual complaint I might have with his movies is that after creating such likeable characters, he does little to develop them.
Well that kind of goes right into the efficiency of his work as discussed in the video, he prioritises plot over everything else and doesn't linger on character or worldbuilding aspects.
I'd love to see another film in this style, like Flash Gordon or Doc Savage!
Yeeesssss, love thisss. Joe Johnston is so good at what he does.
PS: First Avenger is still the best Cap film!
Thank you for highlighting this movie! I practically wore my VHS copy out back in the day I watched it so much. It's a rare kind of film that I don't think could be made today.
I've gotta say, I am continually impressed by how consistently engaging and informative your videos have been over the past 5 years. I honestly don't know how you do it.
Your passion for movies is infectious :)
I knew Dave Stevens when we were both in high school. He was a brilliant artist then and showed me early sketches for what would become The Rocketeer. He was truly gifted and a wonderful human being taken from us way too soon.
Fun Fact: Dave Stevens was a longtime admirer of 1950s glamour and pin-up model Bettie Page; he modeled the look of the Rocketeer's girlfriend after her and featured her image in other illustrations too, which helped contribute to the renewed public interest in Page and her modeling career. After discovering that the retired Page was still alive and lived nearby, Stevens became friends with her, providing both personal assistance and helping to arrange financial compensation to her from various publishers for the use of her image and reprints of her many glamor and pin-up photos.
Counter point: it is a great film. Is it 'Taxi Driver'? No. But as you know it does something incredibly rare in modern storytelling, which is make the audience believe it's gee whiz bang optimism. That makes it great, especially in such a cynical age. And I think that feeling captures the feeling of the early years of flight as well.
as an older teenager when this movie came out, I don't remember paying a lot of attention to this when it came out(I was 16). It was a comic book property, so it was sort of marketed like "Hey, it's that character from a comic book you know!" but it wasn't a mainstream comic book, so mostly people were like "Am I supposed to know this character?" It looked fun, but also maybe a little silly(both are correct), and ultimately, I just don't remember many people paying any attention to it.
I saw it when it came out on VHS and really liked it. I like it to this day as a comic book movie that knows that comic book movies are supposed to be fun.
Me and my Dad went to the movies alot and we saw this together and we loved it! My dad is gone now...i think of him when I watch this now
Sorry to hear that man. God bless him
RUclips’s algorithm sent your video my way, good pick.
I did plop my money down to see the Rocketeer along with a few others when they came out like 1983’s The Right Stuff, the Indiana Jones movies, 1998’s Pleasantville, 1999’s October Sky, and even 2015’s Tomorrowland. Loved all those movies, however, the Rocketeer and Pleasantville found a place in my move playlist for life.
My goodness, how I love this movie. I remember going to see it in an almost empty theater, but still I came out just loving it. Then again I’ve always loved old 40’s movies 🤷, and that poster is destined to hang on my home theater wall.
You spoke about this movie in a way that was captivating, interesting and thoughtful. Keep it up. There are few things more enjoyable than listening to film fans talk enthusiastically about movies.
That flyby scene from the cockpit POV in The Mandalorian to me was pure Rocketeer. Knowing he was a part of creating Boba Fett makes it make even more sense
"Go get 'im, Kid..." still makes me tear up it's so wonderful.
This was fantastic. I have very fond memories of watching The Rocketeer in theaters when I was young (I think I would have been ten). The next day I attempted to make a cardboard replica of the Rocketeer's helmet out of cardboard and masking tape. It looked more like a Cenobite torture device than the Rocketeer, but I remember being very proud of it at the time 😂😂😂
Perfect timing. Was just thinking about this movie and found the channel because of it!
Serious question: who is actually going to movies these days? How does it fit into the working lifestyle that’s required to survive in the post-financial collapse world?
Are there people who can spare 2 hours worth of wages (more if parking costs $) for 90 minutes of entertainment? Not to mention the constraints of finding and affording childcare for the evening, and the energy needed to venture out after working your shifts. I think I’ve gone to theater maybe 5 times in the decade since I was a teenager.
So it’s a much different question to ask whether a movie like the Rocketeer could find success today compared to the 1990’s.
Nailed it. Johnston wants to elevate the audience in the most sincere and earnest fashion. He wants to entertain and have folks leave the theater smiling. Like you mentioned hes also got a designers sensibility and there is an economy and efficiency to his work, no wasted lines, no fat, trimmed and precise. I love Johnstons work because of all these things, because of his almost bucolic sensibility that harkens back to the idea of Americana, a simpler time. Its honestly refreshing to see his name as the director and know Im gonna have a good time.
Seriously, THIS is the most underrated comic book film Disney has EVER produced. It's sad really. Fun fact, my first cousin once removed was the Director of Photography for Sky Captain, so it will FOREVER be important to me.
My very first liscensed hard plastic box thermos lunchbox as a kid that I brought to my early days of school was a royal blue Rocketeer lunchbox and I loved that thing.
You're following Joe Johnston with Joe Dante? This is gonna be a good summer at Royal Ocean
The iron giant sitting down in shock was PERFECT!
A directer with an eye for design is a rare and underrated skill.
The Rocketeer and The Phantom go hand-in-hand into my favourite films of that style.
I remember being 8 or 9 years old and seeing a giant 'coming soon' cardboard cutout of the Rocketeer in the movie theater. It didn't say anything, it only said 'Rocketeer' and 'Coming Soon', but in that same art-deco style as the poster. And it left such a huge impression on me that I remember that moment more than my eventual first time seeing the movie. So with that, I feel like that art-deco style promotional material worked.
Also, I love this movie now that I'm older. They don't make 'em like they used to.
I saw this in theaters when I was 8 and I was ENTHRALLED. I had been looking forward to it for weeks (no idea why, maybe it was the early days of the Disney Channel and their nonstop marketing for their upcoming slate) and walked out of the theater feeling like I was walking on clouds. Such a wonderful adventure film. I will love it always.
Hyped to see you giving this movie and Joe Johnston some serious love! He's one of my fave directors, for all of the reasons you said here. Great work on this one.
Oh wow...I was blown away! Loved the Rocketeer as a kid and this was a fantastic essay!
Thank you for reviewing my favorite Disney film.
the amount of effort put into your visuals is amazing
Jurassic Park 3 is one of my favorites in the series solely because of my obsession with dino crisis. No other Jurrasic film has that feeling of nature taking over like the third one did in my opinion.
Ooo. The Rocketeer was one of my favorite movies as a kid. I haven’t seen it in years. You’re giving me so much nostalgia right now. ❤ It came out when I was in 7th grade so I think I was the perfect age for it.
Another huge issue that contributed to the movie's under performance was that no one knew how to 'sell' it to audiences. The previews were a disaster that had everyone scratching their heads thinking 'what is this'.
I saw it when it was first released and from the opening scene I knew it was going to be a special kind of magic. Just two guys opening hanger doors AND the incredible score that went along with it still moves me so powerfully even after I have seen it so many times.
And it hit another deep, deep chord within me as ever since the days of Commander Cody I have always wanted that rocket pack. To blast off into the sky and fly like a bat out of hell. My dream brought to cinematic life. I believe the jetpack is one of the most powerful of nerdy (in a good way) icons in all of science fiction. At least for those of us who grew up in the '50s and '60s.
Finally the very concept that made it into one of my all time films, and also made it a flop was the innocence of it all. A mythical America that never really existed yet one so many of us want to believe in. Audiences when this film came out, and especially today turn their noses up at such concepts. They are so jaded and disgusted with ourselves that they believe our species is at its best when it is morally evil. And so many films that are huge successes show exactly this. From Game of Thrones to Squid Games, this is how we want to see ourselves. We have so lost our way.
Captain America had this montage that would have been an excellent group of shorts if they just expanded them all out for a full 3 minutes and dumped onto some place like RUclips. The Rocketeer didn't have that from what I remember but it was from a time when that sort of film short hand wasn't used the same way.
I still have The Rocketeer on VHS (recorded from an early Disney Channel screening for some extra pirating cred). I think I was a little too young to appreciate it fully, since I really didn’t hit my Art Deco/Jazz Age Appreciation Era until high school, but I sure as heck got on board for First Avenger. I can say without irony that it’s my favorite MCU flick, and I love the spiritual connection between the two.
Thanks for reminding me of this one. Probably won’t try to find the VHS, but I’ll find a way to watch it again. :)
Thank you for opening my eyes. I feel like I've been sleeping on this marvelous man
Well done. I want to watch “The Rocketeer” again, definitely.
Dave Steven's illustrations are impeccable in the original comic. I have all my copies.
A proper 4K release is what this world needs! I loved this movie as a kid and watched it often.
The Rocketeer is one of the most underrated movies of all time
My only awareness of this movie until now was the poster at my local AMC growing up. It was always on the wall through the decades
It seems that much like the movie, this analysis has so much heart. This should be right up my alley, thank you for your recommendation!
Really glad I stumbled into this channel. Super insightful and well-researched.
8:27 It's honestly why I love Captain America: First Avenger
It's sincere attitude, and cheesy 1940s pulpy world is so lovable, I can't help but think that while yeah, Cap's character was much better defined in the later movies, he's so likable in his innocence and good will, even if he isn't as interesting as he would be later as a man out of time, he's the perfect representation of a good person doing great things, not because of the serum, but because he is a good man, and Joe perfectly captures that in Steve, and the Russo brothers build him from there with the rest of his films.
He laid a foundation of great character building with First Avenger, and he's really underrrated in that sense.
the poster of this movie hung in the hallways of the multiplex i went to as a kid for years. i was always intriged by it but never bothered to seek it out. i felt that feeling of pastiche and old timeyness even as a little shit lol. maybe ill finally rent it
Great video! I’m all for this resurgence of respect for the Rocketeer.
Another great video! Keep it up and keep em coming :D Side note, as an editor myself, it's so weird to hear a piece of stock music used in other projects in the wild 😂
God, what I wouldn’t have given for Johnston to have made Captain America in the early 90’s. There’s a comic book miniseries titled The Adventures of Captain America: Sentinel of Liberty that would have been pitch perfect. I love the Albert Pyun film very much, but I would gladly trade it in for that film.
Kinda funny how he just name drops Jimmy Stewart, Gary Cooper, and Errol Flynn and expects us to be familiar with their films from the 30s, 40s, and 50s, but takes the time to define the word "everyman", a pretty ubiquitous trope. It's fair, given that "everyman" is a concept that's necessary for his argument and knowledge of those actors is not. But it's funny.
Periodically I experience a need to watch The Shadow. Another cheesy pulp opus that I'd say sits right where it should in people's memories. This invariably leads me to The Phantom. Last time this happened I capped it off with The Rocketeer. What a terrific breakdown. You jelled so many unspoken feelings I have about these movies into a cohesive essay. Well done, my man.
I donno… The Rocketeer was my favorite film as a child. In fact I had the Art Deco poster (featured at 9:40) hanging over my bed from the time I was 7 until i went to college. And it only came down because I took it to my dorm room. Johnston was one of the first director’s whose name I knew. He definitely helped light my fuse and inspired me to pursue filmmaking. And I didn’t even know he was involved with Star Wars!
This music score is my favourite next to Superman 1978. For someone born this century, I’m amazed on your study of early films. I grew up in the mid sixties and seventies and mostly look back to well... early 20th century. I enjoy the 1940s music and films most of all, which is way before my time. I’ve worked on a movie or two of my favourite era, which is likely why I love The Rocketeer!
OH MAN! That last shot. Now I HAVE to watch this film in black and white!
An equally nostalgic post-war continuation of the Rocketeer/First Avenger genre is Marvel's "Agent Carter" 2-season adventure series, with Hayley Atwell reprising her role as the girl Captain America left behind. It managed to strike an engaging balance between 1940's intrigue and Marvel's overarching superhero tropes.
For some reason, I didn't watch 'The Rocketeer' when it was released in the theaters here in Brasil. It's time to watch it. And by the way, I also loved its art deco poster. It brought back memories of the 'serial movies' from the 30s and 40s and also the Fleischer Brothers' Superman cartoons some Brazilian TV channels used to broadcast as fillers in their afternoon slots, such as 'The Cisco Kid', 'The Desert Hawk' and the awful 1943 'Batman'. And by the way, 'Captain Sky And The World Of Tomorrow' reminds me of those Republic serial movies and the attack of the flying robot scene is a beautiful tribute to one of the Fleischer Brothers' Superman cartoon episodes.
I think I'm a Jon Jonson fan. Since I have enjoyed all of his movies. An everybody hero is a "Hero of Thousand Face" type. I think Jon Jonson really likes the Hero Journey storytelling.
I saw it in theaters four times and paid full price. I also attended the cattle-call. I must salute the casting. I fell asleep during Burton's Batman.
The comic was impeccable.