MISFITS Video Picks for April 10, 2000
People often bemoan the low batting average of movie and television adaptations
of comic book characters, myself included. There have been a few gems: The first
Superman movie. Most of the first Batman movie. PARTS of the second. The
outstanding Batman and Superman animated series on WB. But the embarrassing
disasters have been far more numerous: Superman III and IV, Batman Forever,
Batman and Robin, The Punisher, Captain America, Swamp Thing, and on television
Generation X, Nick Fury, and various Marvel-based TV movies in the 1970's. With
the X-Men film opening this summer, and many fans crossing fingers, toes, and
anything else available in hopes that it might actually be GOOD, this seemed
like a good time to talk about one of my favorite comic book films: The
Rocketeer.
In spite of some significant changes to the plot from the comic book mini-series
on which it is based, The Rocketeer is one of the most faithful adaptations of a
comic book character I've ever seen. Writers/producers Danny Bilson & Paul DeMao
and Director Joe Johnston worked closely with Rocketeer creator Dave Stevens to
bring his creation to the screen and it shows. Stevens worked on the film story,
helped with storyboards, and even sculpted the Rocketeer's trademark helmet
himself.
Unlike so many comic book adaptations, the Rocketeer is a film that understands
it's own material, striking the right balance between taking it's premise
seriously and still remembering to have fun with it. It takes the necessary
liberties with the source material to adapt it effectively for the screen, while
understanding the Rocketeer's essence and knowing what needed to remain
faithful.
The Rocketeer comic was the story of a young airshow pilot named Cliff Secord
who finds a rocket pack that allows it's wearer to fly. Soon Cliff is being
chased by others who want the pack, including gangsters and Nazi agents as well
as the rocket pack's creator: A thinly disguised Doc Savage. The film drops Doc
Savage as the creator of the rocket pack in favor of industrialist, eccentric,
and aviation enthusiast Howard Hughes. The film also ads a 1930's-era Hollywood
element to the story by making the central villain an Errol Flynn figure who's
secret allegiances drive the film's plot.
In spite of these changes, the film captures the look and feel of Stevens'
comic, which is a celebration of the pre-WWII pulp and serial heroes. Stevens'
love of 1930's aviation comes through as well, and nearly every type of craft
that flew in the era is in the film: Stunt planes, a zeppelin, an autogyro, even
the Spruce Goose makes a sort of cameo.
With all the controversy (in comic book circles, anyway) surrounding the costume
changes to Batman and the X-Men for their film appearances, this Rocketeer is a
dead ringer for the comic book hero, even striking a very
Dave-Stevens-comic-book-cover-like pose atop the Griffith Observatory late in
the film.
Bill Campbell as Cliff Secord is a carbon copy of his comic book counterpart,
and bears an uncanny physical resemblance to the comic book Cliff, who is
modeled on Dave Stevens himself.
Alan Arkin plays Peavy, Cliff's mechanic, friend, mentor, and voice of reason.
The film's Peevy is very similar to the comic book character, and the warmth and
father/son overtones of his relationship with Cliff are heightened. (Obscure
trivia: The comic book Peavy is modeled on animator Doug Wildey, Dave Steven's
mentor and creator of Johnny Quest!)
Jennifer Connolly plays Cliff's girlfriend Jenny, who is one of the most
drastically altered characters from the original comic. In the film, Jenny is
sweet and an aspiring actress, which figures prominently into the film's plot.
In the comic, Cliff's girlfriend was modeled on 1950's pin-up girl Betty Page,
and had much more of a bad-girl-with-a-heart-of-gold kind of quality.
Timothy Dalton plays the new Errol Flynn-esque villain, and demonstrates the
charm and style that won him the role of James Bond. But instead of being the
super-cool good guy, here Dalton is the silver-tongued villain you love to hate.
The Rocketeer sets out to be a rip-roaring adventure with a nostalgic feel and
succeeds. Despite the ILM special effects, the structure and style of the film
has more in common with the films of the 30's and 40's than today's action/FX
blockbusters. This was a Touchstone (Disney) film, and sadly, they couldn't
figure out how to market this throwback to an earlier era. The Rocketeer didn't
break any box office records and didn't spawn a franchise, but it remains an
example of a comic book adaptation done right, and is a real gem on video.
This charming film marked the directing debut of Gary Ross, who is best
known as the scriptwriter for the films Big and Dave
(He seems to have a
thing for one word titles). He also scripted this film and directs it with
the hand of someone who knows better than anyone what he wants on screen.
In a year that was as much of a let down at the box office as 1998 was, this
film was a wonderful relief. We follow two teenagers as they are
transported from our world into the world of a 1950's sitcom where
everything is perfect. At least it all seems to be perfect.
The filmwork in the movie is spectacular. As our two outsiders begin to
change the black and white world of Pleasantville into the brilliant color
of the real world, we are treated to some of the greatest visual feasts ever
put on film. But the movie takes the time to pay attention to the little
moments as well as the big ones. It is a surreal fable that is all the more
extraordinary because of how real it actually is.
The DVD is the best way to view this movie because after you watch it, you
can listen to the directors commentary track. Ross gives incredible insight
into what he was trying to do and makes you realize that for every level of
the movie you did see, there was at least one that you missed.
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The Rocketeer
