The pulp-action genre just doesn’t get enough love in the motion picture industry, making films like The Phantom and The Mummy trilogy a rare breed. When Disney decided to enter the playing field with their tribute to 30s and 40s action adventure radio- dramas, with The Rocketeer, no one had any idea it would end up being such a cult classic, despite its comic book origin. Here we are,20 years later, and The Rocketeer is getting a stunning re-release onto Blu-Ray for its anniversary! The classic superhero story: An ordinary man finding a super secret prototype and putting it to good use (fighting evil, of course) finally graces us in full high-definition glory!

 

The film begins with stunt pilot Cliff Secord (Billy Campbell, The 4400) having a run-in with several mobsters, who happen to be on the run from the FBI. When the mobsters hide their stolen stash (a valuable but experimental jetpack) inside a biplane, it is quickly found by Cliff. He starts testing it out for personal usage in stunt shows, but when one of his friends ends up behind the wheel of a defective plane, Cliff dons the pack (along with a homemade helmet) in order to save the day. Quickly becoming a media sensation, hence Cliff’s being dubbed “The Rocketeer”, the Mobsters quickly find out where their stolen loot has turned up, and set out to retrive what was unjustly theirs. Cliff, his girlfriend Jenny (Jennifer Connelly, HULK), and his friend Peevy (Alan Arkin, Little Miss Sunshine), quickly end up at the center of what ends up being a (spoiler alert!) giant Nazi scheme that only Cliff can fight against, by becoming his high-flying alter ego!

 

The casting for the film is quite amazing, seeing as how many of its cast went onto star in tons of well known shows and movies. Among the cast is Terry O’ Quinn of LOST fame, Eddie Jones – who went on to play Jonathan Kent in Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, and Jon Polito, whom some may remember from the cult TV series The Chronicle. This movie was a starting point for many recognizable names, including the two leads, so it really is interesting coming back to watch this to see who you can spot in the film!

 

The film holds up even today against the slew of modern superhero movies and remakes. The mid-air-flying action sequences and period setting helps this film to stand out among others of its kind, and its pretty hard to believe this was made over 20 years ago! The special effects are still impressive and look great! Disney really did a remarkable cleaning-up with this film in the procerss of bringing it to Blu-Ray. The visuals are crisp and the audio has enough oomph to work your sound system! If you want to compare how well the transfer was handled, take a look at the included original theatrical trailer – Its a night and day difference!

 

The Rocketeer is one of the best pulp action movies made and its great to see this re-release in stunning high definition! The only lacking point of the disc is how very little in the way of special features or even commentaries is included for a 20th Anniversary release. Overlooking that, this film is a must have for any fan of superhero movies or period action flicks!

 

ComicsOnline gives The Rocketeer 20th Anniversary Edition – 3.5 kickass jetpacks that I have always wanted for christmas (and still don’t have… I am looking at YOU Mom and Dad!) out of 5.

 

Get your copy of The Rocketeer – 20th Anniversary Edition at Amazon.

 

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