The Rocketeer 6-21-1991

[monitor_ep]

35 years ago during the 90's Superhero boon, Disney released The Rocketeer:
uXLZxRFssFT37XLJSRW6MWx8Via.jpg
A young pilot stumbles onto a prototype jetpack that allows him to become a high-flying masked hero.

When this hit the theater I was in the Navy but remember going with some fellow members. It was a fun movie but it was obvious a knockoff of Commando Cody
78715-2.jpg

The movie was fun and entertaining but there just wasn't much to build on.

I just find out about the Toy Biz had the rights to a massive Rocketeer toy line, including different versions of Cliff; this was akin to the Kenner Products Batman toy lines.

[warlock664]

If you think this was an “obvious ripoff of Commando Cody”, I’m afraid the genius of Dave Stevens’ masterpiece of period nostalgia has eluded you.
but thanks for putting the Village People in my head for the rest of the day

[TRDouble]

I love The Rocketeer movie. I never heard of Commando Cody until now. Very interesting! It’s always fun learning something new… Thanks!

[monitor_ep]

I'm sorry, I guess being a collector of comic books in the media I was aware of the b&w serials and painstakingly collected them payed off.

[BudgetMego]

35 years ago during the 90's Superhero boon, Disney released The Rocketeer:
uXLZxRFssFT37XLJSRW6MWx8Via.jpg
A young pilot stumbles onto a prototype jetpack that allows him to become a high-flying masked hero.

When this hit the theater I was in the Navy but remember going with some fellow members. It was a fun movie but it was obvious a knockoff of Commando Cody
78715-2.jpg

The movie was fun and entertaining but there just wasn't much to build on.

I just find out about the Toy Biz had the rights to a massive Rocketeer toy line, including different versions of Cliff; this was akin to the Kenner Products Batman toy lines.

Saw this film before I found the comics. Liked it for it's Indy Jones vibe. Neville Sinclair was based on the rumor that Errol Flynn was a Nazi agent. Regarding the comics, In the story, Cliff gets the rocket from Doc Savage, not Howard Hughes. There's a crossover of sorts with the Savage comic series of the time, published by a long gone company named Millenium. In the first issue, one of Doc's aides mentions that they could use" the rocket pack that kid stole".

[monitor_ep]

I learned this thanks to the Internet:
The Rocetter was an independent comic book before the movie came out. He also crosses over with other pulp era characters (Betty Page, Doc Savage, The Spirit).

I will be reading lots of back issues.

https://readallcomics.com/?story=The+Rocketeer+&s=&type=comic

[Earth 2 Chris]

A great movie that deserved better. Loved the cast and the film overall. I have a giant stand-up from the home video release somewhere in storage...

[PNGwynne]

One of my favorites, and I loved the source material.

I was so excited, and not disappointed, when the film's direct Joe Johnston directed Marvels first Captain America movie, also just about perfect IMO.

[Earth 2 Chris]

One of my favorites, and I loved the source material.

I was so excited, and not disappointed, when the film's direct Joe Johnston directed Marvels first Captain America movie, also just about perfect IMO.

Oh yeah, I was stoked too. And that is still my personal favorite Marvel film. I acknowledge there are better MCU films (possibly), but it's my top choice.

[Dan2Dan]

The Rocketeer is one of my all-time favorite comic book characters. I already loved the comic book (and Dave Stevens' art) for years before the movie adaptation was released in 1991. As many others have already said above, I personally think the movie is waaaaayyyyy better than its box office failure at the time would suggest. Jennifer Connelly as Betty was perfect casting. The period set designs and costumes were amazing.

Was it a perfect film? No, not in my opinion. I didn't really love Timothy Dalton as an Errol Flynn-like Nazi sympathizer villain. But as a huge fan of the comic book, I was never going to be entirely satisfied with anything other than a shot-for-shot adaptation of the comic, and that was never going to happen.

[TRDouble]

One of my favorites, and I loved the source material.

I was so excited, and not disappointed, when the film's direct Joe Johnston directed Marvels first Captain America movie, also just about perfect IMO.

I didn't know that about the director. I think the Cap films are the best and most rewatchable MCU movies. The first one was almost perfect.

[Frenchy99]

I need to re-watch this movie, dont remember the story. I do have the comic books.

Will put this on my to do watch list.

[ODBJBG]

I love this movie. I wasn't as in love with it when it first came out, only because I hadn't quite become as enamored with pulp era stuff. It's pretty much perfect.

It does a really good job of translating the comics, even doing some things that are impossible, like bringing Rondo Hatton back to life! But it also makes a couple of changes that are IMO, better than the comics. First, the rocket pack, so much better than the comic rocket. Removing Doc Savage and putting Howard Hughs in also is an improvement. And as controversial as it might be, Jenny > Bettie.

[Dannyc]

Thatcwas pretty neat how Season 2 of Caped Crusader reimagines Roxy Rocket as a Commando Cody type character.