Seeing as how we lost creator Dan Stevens last week, I thought it fitting to review a copy of his most famous work brought to the screen. The Rocketeer is a loving tribute tot he pulp heroes of the World War II era of comics and serials. He was really nothing more than a normal guy with a jet pack strapped to his back. Some call him a low grade Iron Man or an Americanized and more pathetic James Bond. I don't think either analogy is correct because the Rocketeer falls somewhere in between the worlds of superheroes and thriller, borrowing from each.

Unfortunately, the film version of Stevens' creation falls somewhere between the worlds of boring and bad, stealing from each. The film, created by those wonderful folks at the Disney corporation, was released in 1991. Making just over its budget back in domestic release (and failing in the toy markets), the hopes for a franchise were pretty much DOA. Disney had wanted a new hero to storm the zeitgeist and it really should have with the Rocketeer, but it was not to be.

The movie is terrible by any means. Jennifer Connolly, Alan Arkin, Timothy Dalton and Terry O'Quinn (John Locke!) all give great performances. Dalton as a villain really is something to behold, see Hot Fuzz if you want proof. Alan Arkin has always had a great dry sense of humor and O'Quinn makes a much better Howard Hughes here than DiCaprio did in The Aviator.

Billy Campbell, the monikered hero of the flick, couldn't have been more wooden if he were slathered in Thompson's Water Seal. He's good looking to be sure, but boring and just standing there on screen. Some say he is supposed to be stoic because he needs to be able to discover his wild side with the rocket. I say it;s a pretty face and no talent.

The special effects of the piece aren't bad by 1991 standards, but it's a little jarring in this day and age. Of course you have judge the film by the time it was made and for that it's not bad. The practical effects were definitely inspired by the stage as you can tell where the wires are. Campbell is not natural when he's off the ground and if it isn't a scene where he's flying straight through the clouds then he dangles like a puppet.

Of course, the Rocketeer himself looks very badass. It's a fantastic design in the books and they really do get it spot on in the film. The helmet doesn't look goofy at all and the red and gold combo is eye catching to say the least. You really can't fault the costume department at all as they hit it out of the park in that respect.

Some of the writing isn't bad either. While we're forced to sit through some really hokey dialogue (even by 1940s standards), the plot is clean and reasonable given the universe it inhabits. At one point, the villain of the piece is revealed to be a Nazi (not really a spoiler) and the mob enforcers he's working with turn the tail and point their guns at him. They may be crooks, but they're Americans. (Their sentiment, not mine, I swear!) There is a hilarious little aside where a Fed and mob guy are shooting at the same person, they stop and look at each other, then shrug their shoulders and continue firing. It's not only a great little moment, it's also true. THh government actually enlisted the unofficial aid of the East Coast mafia in protecting New York harbor during the war.

And speaking of firing guns, there is a lot of death for a Disney movie. Tommy guns firing all over the place, explosions taking out buildings with people in them, people catching on fire. Yes, you read that correctly. Someone catches on fire and then explodes. In a freakin' Disney movie. God, sometimes I miss 1991.

As for the DVD's special features ... well, they ain't so special. You get the trailer which starts out great, but then gives away the entire film in quick shots. And you have recommended movies, most of which aren't great movies to begin with. And that's it. Pretty paltry, really. They could have gotten an interview or two, no? Pay Jennifer Connelly a few grand for an interview and then plaster "Oscar Winner Connelly inside!" Too much to ask?

All in all, it's a film that isn't terrible, but it should have been good. They had a great source to work with, but they got lazy on the plot. Then they hire the most boring lead actor until Mathew McConaughey. The flick's worth renting as a part of comic book history that's too often swept under the rug, but unless you aim to own every comic book film on your shelf, it stops at a rental.

But that poster kicks some serious ass, doesn't it?