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Comments
I remember Hawks being quite good, and Dalton handling the comedy element well.
Deary me Mr Dalton.
"Freeze you bloody bastards". Classic dialogue.
Plus he does kill Peter Duncan, so it's not all bad. ;-)
I want to throw things at the TV everytime Sam Jones is onscreen.
His cameo in Ted was sublime though.
Yes it was. Although I'm too young to remember Flash Gordon when it first came out (wasn't born until 1985).
There's also Florence Nightingale, with the ever welcome Kelly Garret (Jaclyn Smith) as The Lady Of The Lamp, our man Tim and Sherlock Holmes himself (Jeremy Brett).
Tim looks great in it.
There isn't much original to be seen in the film but there's still a lot of fun to be had watching this well-executed film take shape. I love the old-school 1930's Hollywood setting with the film very much being a throwback to golden era of Hollywood (the movie is suitably equipped with a square-jawed hero, evil Nazi's, damels in distress, the FBI and the mob). I'm surprised that the film didn't make much of a dent when it was released in '91 as the story is a fun intoxicating mix of both the 'Back to the Future' franchise and the 'Indiana Jones' films. Maybe it's down to the fact that 'The Rocketeer' leans too heavily on it's influences and for those reasons fails to carve it's own path. This seems to be reflected in the reviews that were released when the film first came out as there seems to be a split amongst critics; some enjoying the old-school familiarity of the story, while others condemned the mechanical rote feeling of the film. The film has since of course (rightfully) earned cult status.
I for one found the whole thing very entertaining even if it is a little lightweight. The effects hold up today and the set and costume designs are really impressive. The performances are a little forgettable, however Jennifer Connelly is absolutely stunning and I found myself cooing every time she was on the screen. The general consensus amongst the critics back in '91 was that Tim Dalton undeniably stole the show and I couldn't agree more with this point. Tim is clearly having the most fun and it rubs off on the audience as his slimy and seedy (albeit rather charming) portrayal of Neville Sinclair is perfectly pitched. Dalton plays the high-definition villain with aplomb and in many ways reprised a similar role in 'Hot Fuzz'. Dalton brings a certain degree of intensity to proceedings and his scenes in the film are often the most charged and often elevate the movie ever so slightly from the lightweight fodder it is. Dalton particularly shines in his scenes opposite Paul Sorvino, who along with Jon Polita give nifty supporting turns (Alan Alda on the other hand is a near nonentity).
I really liked the film even if it is a little derivative. There is something of wide-eyed credulity to the movie and it's easy to find something smitten by the naivety of the piece; in the end the film is really good-hearted fun that's difficult not to enjoy.
Hot fuzz, The Tourist, The Rocketeer, Flash Gordon, Looney Tunes
and in TV:
Chuck and Doctor Who
FG, TR, and HF're his finest in my option. I love him in Chuck as well.