Customer Reviews

Rocketeer

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I'm not kidding. Today I was watching the DVD of "The Rocketeer" (which I'd rented; the movie's terrific and should really have a special edition DVD, but I digress), and this music actually put a lump in my throat and made me all teary-eyed! The main theme, as orchestrated by Horner, is truly, without a doubt, one of the most MOVING pieces of music I have heard in my lifetime. There's something very "Americana" about the theme; although it sounds as if it's inspired by aviation pioneers like Howard Hughes, men who dreamed impossible, crazy dreams which actually worked, it quite literally sounds like the American Dream, interpreted musically. It's one of those classic pieces of music that can be used in a myriad of other purposes; it's quite similar in spirit to Aaron Copland's Fanfare for the Common Man, John Williams' Olympic Fanfare, or Jerry Goldsmith's orchestration of the National Anthem as heard in "Poltergeist" -- it's THAT good. It has also been used by Disney in its Paris theme park and at EPCOT Center, for the Fountain of Nations -- obviously Disney knows a terrific theme when they hear it.

There's only been one other piece of music, or more specifically motion picture score, which has had a similar effect on me (eliciting tears just by hearing it), and that's John Williams' scoring for the portion of "E.T." where E.T. and Elliott say goodbye (and even then, I'm probably choked up because the music reminds me so much of the movie; Horner's Rocketeer score doesn't have quite that same effect, which is actually a good thing -- it means the theme is non-specific to the film). Listening to this film, my mind's eye pictures jaw-dropping widescreen Technicolor helicopter shots of corn fields, the Smoky Mountains, Washington DC monuments, the Grand Canyon, the Mississippi River, and my mind's ear hears a James Earl Jones narration about the things that made America, along with quotes by Thomas Jefferson and George Washington. It's just incredible, what James Horner's been able to do here, all for a fun comic-book film about a guy who finds a special rocket pack that allows an individual to fly.

Like the Rocketeer himself, this music truly SOARS! Don't hesitate to put this in your collection! I guarantee you won't be disappointed!

...the Rocketeer sure is one of them! When it comes to James Horner, his best scores are probably Willow, Glory, and The Rocketeer. It is sad that The Rocketeer isn't better known as a soundtrack to collectors, and it is often under rated. This soundtrack is a must for all soundtrack collectors, and should be respected as one of the better CDs out there. The main theme is a slow and gorgeous tune played with strings, before blending into a more swifter, flying music. The Flying Circus is my favrorite of the CD, beginning as a quick and tense song, yet giving you a clear picture of what's going on. Played primarily with brass, Horner takes this track from descending chords to the main theme played with strings then on to a really hillarious song, making you feel as if you are visiting the corn fields. The other big track of the CD, The Zeppelin, begins as brass and strings play up and down the scale, and continues on into a quite exciting song, always having a suprise around the corner. Although much of the music is on the tense side (yet then again, bot so tense) other tracks, such as Jenny's theme, is much like the Rocketeer's main title...Quiet, slow, and lots of strings. This soundtrack is a MUST for everyone! Anyone who appeals to anything such as Star Wars, Willow, Hook, or Cutthroat Island, this score is very similar. My choice? Give it a try whatever you do!

This soundtrack is one of my continuing favorites. I tell you that for film scores, this one sets the bar pretty high. Since this soundtrack was released, I have personally used this one as the benchmark test for any new stereo equipment I have purchased. The spectrum of sound included, in the second track in particular, will test the speakers of a new sound system better than many test disks that I've seen. The sound is able to pull you into your mental review of the film more effectively than most other soundtracks out there, with certain exceptions of course. This soundtrack is overall that which many scores fail to be, a musical painting of the film, not just filler music. This is a memorable disk for a memorable film.

This was one of Horner's pre Titanic scores written at a time when many still thought of him as a poor man's Williams or Goldsmith. This might explain the very williamsesque 'Jenny' theme - the Disney producers had hoped that the Rocketeer would be their Indiana Jones.

Much of this music, though, is also a classic case of Horner doing Horner, taking his favorite motifs from StarTrek II and cocoon and weaving a new (and very effective) theme through them. Nevertheless, there is still a lot of original, thrilling and epic score here for your money, with long tracks none of which are duds.

Ideal for either for those who just loved the much under-rated film or those who love Horner and get a perverse kick out spotting him quoting himself.

Oh, and watch out for one of the best finale riffs of a score I think I've ever heard.

After "Krull" this is my favourite James Horner score. The main theme is brilliant and there is a good balance between action music and slow music. Some tracks contain the "suspense/bass motif" from "Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan". Horner uses this motif often in his work, I like that.
My favourite track is "The Flying Circus", a fantastic action cue. (The bass-trombone is great!!)
The track "Jenny" is very beautiful, and one of Horner's best love-themes ever.
There are also two jazzy songs on the album. I think they are very good.
If you are a fan of James Horner, or you like Star Trek II, you might enjoy this cd very much.

Since he wrote the score for Braveheart and won an Oscar for Titanic, James Horner has been among the most disappointing of film composers. His works have been highly derivative and this often makes the listener deride the composer for his lack of so-called talent. The Rocketeer proves te depth of Mr. Horner's talent. It's sweeping melodic main theme is a perfect counterpoint to the theme of flight running throughout the movie. His love theme is a classic old fashioned melody that perfectly fits with the movie and his use of the piano to subtly bring out the movie is totally fantastic. The Rocketeer is among the best of James Horner's works and is one of his most enjoyable scores. His work is truly a masterpiece. While the movie's special effects may seem dated, Horner's score is immortal and shows just how beautiful his music is when he writes original music.

Melora Hardin .... what a perfect voice for this song! It's a stupendously wonderful song to start with, even as a Harry James instrumental, but the lyrics are superbly sung by Hardin! Wowser....

The rest of the soundtrack is perfectly suited to the movie, which is a blast (no pun intended!) to watch. Just a lotta good fun, and after all, Timothy Dalton is always easy on the eyes, even when he's a bad guy! Wonderful music, done very much in the style of the times. Well done, Mr. Horner, and Bravo Melora Hardin!

Watching the movie is one thing, but listening to the music by itself is altogether another experience. Anyone that has listened to other James Horner compositions will be able to pick out a few trumpet notes played in the "Flying Circus" track. These notes were also used in two of James Horner other soundtracks Star Trek II and Star Trek III. That's not a bad thing though, sounds really great with the fanfare of this movie. I'm not much of a fan of slow jazz but the two cuts of music that are played in the South Seas Club in the movie were really good. I would recommend that if you liked the movie to get this soundtrack, you won't regret it.

Horner's score for the comic film The Rocketeer is considered one of his best works and action scores. I cannot disagree on that. The uplifting, noble theme for the hero can send your mind soaring. In the beginning of the score after a slow flowing lyrical piano rendition of the theme, the theme played by the strings soars off with beauty and grace. It is my favorite heroic theme, next to Danny Elfman's Batman theme. The Flying Circus track definately sounds like something out of a comic, full of the ups and downs in of flying through the sky. The part where the hero breaks into action is truly a classic in action film history. Jenny's theme is beautiful and tries to copy the romanciful style John Williams used for Han and Leia's theme in The Empire Strikes Back, especially on Jenny's Rescue. The small motif for the sinister Neville Sinclaire played largely by the trumpets can be compared to the Nazi's motif on Raiders Of The Lost Ark but with a mid-1900's sound to it. Jenny's Rescue is truly a swashbuckling track, much like the second track, with a lighthearted touch to it and some romantic flare to it. Track 7 gets sinister and tense but track 9 really steals thet part, a dark confrontation with Neville and his goonies on top of a zeppelin, a great climatic piece with a explosive end. The End titles is much like a reshowing of the first track and ends with a fun and wild ending. I recommend this soundtrack for anyone who wants to hear a real action score or hear one of Horner's best scores.

The Rocketeer without this soundtrack would be a forgetable movie, soon lost from sight. However, the music of Horner takes it to a new level and makes it a must have. The music connects the film with the viewer. I found it so memorable that I still, on occassion have phrases from the soundtrack running through my mind.

This is a fine soundtrack and I think it is quite under rated. It is a classic of motion picture sound track.