From Deseret News archives:
RocketMan
Film review
They go to Jim Carrey wannabes.
In this case it's Harland Williams, who proudly lists among his credits a role in "Dumb & Dumber"
But I digress.
Williams' first starring role is in the occasionally amusing, decidedly silly and sometimes irritating "RocketMan." And Williams would probably be pleased as punch to admit that he is the film's main source of irritation.
In what amounts to little more than a reworking of "The Reluctant Astronaut" (Don Knotts' first starring film some 30 years ago), Williams plays a computer geek who has programmed some of NASA's software for the first manned flight to Mars.
When the flight crew's computer specialist is disabled by Williams' bungling hijinks Williams finds himself recruited and rushed through astronaut training.
But he proves to be such an idiot that the flight crew and most of the ground crew are driven to distraction.
As is the audience.
There are several wasted talents here, chiefly (unbilled) Shelly Duvall, as Williams' flighty mother, and Beau Bridges, as a former astronaut who believes in Williams.
But this film is really just a showcase for Williams' manic abilities, and a little of him goes a long way. Of course, that's also true of Carrey. (And, 30 years ago, Jerry Lewis.) For me, Williams' childish antics wore out their welcome in the first 15 minutes. (His tag line is "It wasn't me," repeated about a million times.)
Young children very young children
And though the film is rated PG and contains no profanity
It might also be of interest to note that some of the Mars scenes were shot in Moab, using a red filter. The Moab Film Commission gets a credit at the end. (There is also a quick joke following the end credits. It's not worth the wait.)
Recent comments
Rocketman made me laugh so hard! Rocketman is a true
comedic...
Emily aka: Jack | Feb. 10, 2007 at 7:24 p.m.
If I could give this movie 100 stars, I'd do it. My
husband and I...
Lisalyn | Nov. 20, 2005 at 9:48 a.m.
Sorry Chris, this is not one of your gem reviews. Harland
Williams...
Brandon | Feb. 17, 2003 at 12:01 a.m.
Cast: Harland Williams, Jessica Lundy, William Sadler, Jeffrey DeMunn, Beau Bridges
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