The Rocketeer

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2:19

The Rocketeer

PG

Released Jun 21, 1991

1h 49m

Fantasy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

66%

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65 Reviews

65%

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50,000+ Ratings

Cliff Secord (Bill Campbell) is a cocky stunt pilot in love with a beautiful actress, Jenny Blake (Jennifer Connelly). When he discovers a jet pack hidden in a biplane, Cliff straps on the rocket, dons a flashy helmet and becomes the high-flying hero known as The Rocketeer. But when Nazis want to use the rocket as a weapon, Cliff must use his alter ego to both protect Jenny from an evil actor (Timothy Dalton) and save the day in this period adventure based on the comic books by Dave Stevens.

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Critics Consensus

An action-packed, if anachronistic, look back at pulp matinee serials, The Rocketeer may ring hollow with viewers expecting more than simple fun and gee-whiz special effects.

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Duane Byrge

The Hollywood Reporter

Undeniably, Rocketeer's overall trajectory is pleasing and winning, but it lacks the quirky charms and personal idiosyncracies that endeared other big-effects films to tot and sophisticate alike.

Jun 21, 2018

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Jason Bailey

Flavorwire

In the quarter-century since its release, as the superhero blockbuster has become a cornerstone of mainstream moviemaking, it's become clear that 'The Rocketeer' is a model of the form - breathless, energetic, and endlessly entertaining.

Jun 24, 2016

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Nick Schager

Lessons of Darkness

Almost never takes thrilling flight.

Rated: C

Jun 1, 2011

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Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

It has grace, style, and dynamism inhealthy quantities. [Full review in Spanish]

Dec 30, 2022

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Nick Rogers

Midwest Film Journal

Occasionally vrooms as if powered by voluminous vials of jet fuel and will send art-deco aficionados' eyes a-poppin' like Tex Avery's Wolf. But for anyone raised on "Raiders," its sum total is a mostly phantom memory of aesthetic, mood and momentum.

Rated: 3.5/5

Jul 16, 2021

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...briskly-paced and unabashedly old-fashioned...

Rated: 3/4

Dec 11, 2020

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Jerod S

It's more nostalgic than bombastic - and it doesn't dazzle like superhero movies...but it's still a fun ride.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

05/27/25

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Frans B

Loved it! In many ways a trailblazer to future movies. Highly underrated. Amazing effects and musical score, cast is superb in character and stunning cinematography. Very entertaining and fast paced, what a thrill ride! Good stuff

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/29/25

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John M

Great mashup of history with fiction. The music in this movie still gives me goosebumps.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/15/25

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Garrett B

Underrated classic. Too bad everyone forgets it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/07/24

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Audience Member

Story was interesting enough to be entertaining even though at times it could be cliche. The action certainly entertaining. I give it a 8/10.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/17/24

Full Review

Audience Member

There are a lot of small issues that I can point out in this film (how does he control the jetpack and where he flies, what keeps the fire from the rocket setting his legs on fire, the general corniness of the movie, cheap special effects, etc.). Despite those nitpicks though, I enjoyed myself for much of the movie and they don't matter as much in the grand scheme of the entertainment! Timothy Dalton played an interesting post-James Bond bad guy role and Jennifer Connelly is absolutely gorgeous as always! The humor was pretty good in the film too (particularly when the gangster and the FBI agent glance at each other during the shootout and then just go on shooting the Germans together, small moments like that). Some of the action wasn't bad either! It was a decently entertaining movie for the time it came out and Joe Johnston is known for making feel-good movies like this!

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

08/25/24

Full Review

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Joe Johnston

Director

Billy Campbell

Cliff Secord

Jennifer Connelly

Jenny Blake

Timothy Dalton

Neville Sinclair

Alan Arkin

A. 'Peevy' Peabody

Paul Sorvino

Eddie Valentine

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The Rocketeer: Trailer 1

2:19

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Synopsis

Cliff Secord (Bill Campbell) is a cocky stunt pilot in love with a beautiful actress, Jenny Blake (Jennifer Connelly). When he discovers a jet pack hidden in a biplane, Cliff straps on the rocket, dons a flashy helmet and becomes the high-flying hero known as The Rocketeer. But when Nazis want to use the rocket as a weapon, Cliff must use his alter ego to both protect Jenny from an evil actor (Timothy Dalton) and save the day in this period adventure based on the comic books by Dave Stevens.

Director: Joe Johnston
Producer: Charles Gordon, Lawrence Gordon, Lloyd Levin
Screenwriter: Danny Bilson, Paul De Meo, William Dear
Distributor: Walt Disney Pictures, Buena Vista Pictures
Production Co: Touchstone Pictures, Walt Disney Pictures, Gordon Company
Rating: PG
Genre: Fantasy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 21, 1991, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 14, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $46.5M
Runtime: 1h 49m
Sound Mix: Surround

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