The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current, July 11, 1991, Summer, Page 11, Image 10
Film captures past The Rocketeer’ relives the 1930s, blasts off with perfect casting “The Rocketeer” Starring Bill Campbell, Alan Arkin PG : A+ By Michael Stock Senior Reporter “The Rocketeer” provides more than a perfect Walt Disney Produc tion’s tribute to the ’30s. “The Rock eteer” is a piece of the ’30s. Set in the booming Hollywood of 1938, “The Rocketeer” is a cinematic feast of ’30s panorama, capturing the gigantic, plush Hollywood of the star svstem vears. The film is renlete with references to Carole Lombard, Greta Garbo and Myma Loy, and guest “appearances” by actors playing Clark Gable and W.C. Fields. Like 1938’s ‘Test Pilot,” starring Clark Gable, Spencer Tracy and Myma Loy, “The Rocketeer” centers its fanciful imagination around the grow ing field of aviation. Bill Campbell plays Clifford Sea cord, an aspiring racing pilot. Sea cord discovers a rocket pack meant to be strapped on a person’s back, hid den under the seat of his plane. The pack, designed by Howard Hughes for the U.S. military, has been wriggled out from under the nose of the FBI by the Mafia. After a high speed chase in big, black cars, one of the gangsters manages to hide the rocket pack in Clifford’s plane before being caught by G-men. Aided by Pcavcy, played comforta bly by Alan Arkin, Scacord’s older mechanic and friend, the two set about * to figure out how the rocket pack may be used safely. Meanwhile, both gangsters and G mcn chase after Scacord and Pcavcy, blowing holes in a lot of scenery. However, in a fine comic-book fash ion, very few of the bullets ever hit a person. l he casting lor The Rocketeer” is responsible for at least part of its genius. Perfectly cast in the role of the villain, Timothy Dalton plays Nev ille Sinclair — ‘‘Hollywood’s third biggest box office draw” by his own claim. Dalton’s character looks re markably like Errol Flynn — older and nastier, but just as slick. Dalton's aura of evil is a refreshing change after his slightly thick James Bond performances. Newcomer Campbell bears more than a striking resemblance to the James Stewart of the ’30s, in both looks and characterization. Campbell’s boyish innocence and puppy-dog eyes beg with a Stewart-esque gleam. As Jenny, Jennifer Connelly plays the ’30s feminine foil perfectly, with the sexual appeal of Jean Harlow and the toughened practicality of Myma Loy. “The Rocketeer” is pieced together with a special magic that only Walt Disney could fashion. The film is full of ’30s inside jokes, cliches and one liners like “lousy nickel-neck,” and “dame.” Sometimes the ’30s rhetoric, cli ches and gibberish aren’t delivered as convincingly as films made in the ’30s. In 1938, Gable and Tracy really would nave said inings like dame and “flatfoot.” Much of the action and danger in the “The Rocketeer” is highly rcminisccntof film serials of the ’30s, particularly Buster Crabbc’s “Flash Gordon.” The photography and technique in “The Rocketeer” is as beautiful as last summer’s “Dick Tracy.” How ever, unlike “Dick Tracy,” “The Rocketeer” manages a healthy plot and no boredom for the kids. “The Rocketeer” is so good that it should have been filmed in black and while. There could be no higher compli ment. Hanna Continued from Page 10 When we gel colds, we’re lold lo drink lots of water. On hot summer days we’re told to drink lots of water. So i f you have a cold on a hot sum mcr day, you may as well tape the garden hose to your mouth and leave it on all day. BITCH, BITCH, BITCH: When you’re as miserable as a summer cold can make you, you have a right and an obligation lo make those around you miserable loo. Complain loudly about how much it sucks to lake Nylol in July. Moan about how much you’d rather be outside enjoying the sun and getting skin cancer. Misery loves company and with summertime ill nesses, there is just not a lot of com pany. So make some. Sneeze on doorknobs. Cough on fans. Wipc your nose with the receiver on a pay phone. By no means should you be content to suffer alone. Finally, if you do manage to give someone your cold at about the lime you’re starting to feel better, under no circumstances should you show them any pity. The idiots — it’s ihcir own damn fault. Hanna is a Daily Nebraskan reporter and a May graduate of the University of Nc braska-Lincoln. l k All Compact Discs Ik ON SALE! - ||*Our Lowest Of The Year* -lj »Sale Ends Sunday* J /^Pickles COMPACT DISCS V TAPES«RECORDS 17th & P • 3814 Normal • 237 South 70th Our Newest Store 56th & Hwy 2 Young Continued from Page 10 in judgment in his adaptation of Leim bach’s story. He makes Gordon, a primary char acter and Hilary’s eventual lover in the Lcimbach novel, into a fringe character with no real purpose. Al though actor Vincent D’Onofrio gives the role his best shot, the screenplay doesn’t ever allow the character to develop. As well, Fricdcnbcrg makes ambiguous the original tragic ending. C’mon, Richard, America can handle a sad ending. Fricdcnbcrg writes the tender scenes well, though. An especially tender scene shows Victor, an art enthusiast working towards a Ph.D in art his tory, teaching Hilary about his favor ite artist, Klimt. Scenes showing Hi lary comforting Victor after chemo therapy, and Victor helping Hilary to come to terms with his cancer also add tenderness to the film. Roberts, as always, is appealing and spirited in her role. She tosses her hair a lot and smiles her toothy grin, but she illustrates a compassionate side as Hilary. With each role she’s undertaken, Roberts has proven her box-office appeal. But while it is the tremendously appealing Roberts and her toothy smile that will draw most viewers to this movie, it is Scott that will make them stay. Following up his fabulous portrayal i of Willy in last year’s “Longtime Companion,” the immensely talented | Scott proves to be the real star of this movie. His portrayal of the intellec tual, gentle Victor is both moving and sensitive. As Roberts’ breakthrough role was in the sleeper comedy “Mystic Pizza,” Scott’s breakthrough role very well could be “Dying Young.” And unlike many films, “Dying Young” has music that adds a subtle shading to the effect rather than over powering it completely. The instru mentals by Kenny G. and James Newton Howard arc never obtrusive, yet stick with the audience long after the last tear is shed in the theatre. “Dying Young” is playing at the Lincoln Theatre, 12th and P streets. I I I 17th & ’N' St. 8No Appointments Necessary^ 476-9466 $600 Off I Full Service Oil Change! 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