The Rocketeer

I caught up with this 1991 film over the weekend and really enjoyed it. It had just the right mix of nostalgia, homage, and reverence for the 1930's and the films of the era and those that depict the era. But rather than strictly adhering to the tone and style of its influences (like Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow), The Rocketeer works as a film in its own right. It creates a memorable new hero for the silver screen. Billy Campbell plays Cliff Secord/The Rocketeer with classic charm, moxie, and stubborness. When he suits up, it's a special moment because he looks so darn cool and natural, like a product of another time plastered on the screen. His rapport with Alan Arkin is one of the chief pleasures of the film. There is a bit of goofball charm to the whole endeavor, but it fits with its overall aesthetic. I can't begrudge the film much because it's much too enjoyable for me to complain about small annoyances like the dated special effects.

****