Collectibles. EBay. The thrill of indulging our impulses to get what we want, and the addictive compulsion to continue. These are things we can all relate to. How important are our hobbies? How far are we willing to go?
Probably not as far as the protagonist of 'The rocketeer,' that's for sure.
We've all been there, whether as young children, teens, or adults. We see something we want, and it's unattainable by any reasonable measure. Yet that's not to say it couldn't be ours, if we pushed ourselves to an extreme.
While maintaining a cool, neutral air about itself as we watch from afar, 'The rocketeer' nonetheless carries a sense of very dry, dark humor. Marc (Stephan Evenblij) is a man obsessed from a young age with all things Star Wars, and he's amassed a considerable collection of toys and memorabilia. When he discovers an opportunity to obtain a very rare figure, it becomes all he can think about, especially as the cost of acquiring it is well beyond his purview.
Other films, short or full-length, have toyed with a theme of obsession and taken far more dramatic avenues in their narratives. 'The rocketeer' is decidedly more subtle in its vision as we follow Marc going about his business, while unable to keep from thinking about his Holy Grail and continually stymied in his efforts to seek it - until at last he makes a pivotal decision.
The last few scenes are characterized by an observant comedy that's especially vicious and biting, and maybe even a little sad, as we watch the climax and finale roll around. 'The rocketeer' bears a pointedly sardonic tone in its last moments, even still with a flavor both dry and bitter.
There's a minor content warning here for viewers who are especially squeamish, but otherwise this is a fine short, crafted with a very nondescript, matter-of-fact quality to its production. Anyone particularly enamored of Star Wars would surely enjoy this, as well as viewers keen on subdued, deadpan comedy. At only 30 minutes, 'The rocketeer' is uniquely engaging, and well worth our time.
