Bottle Rocket

Rating:
Summary: Please watch this movie, for God's sake
Review: Whenever I watch a movie, good or bad, I ask myself what is serving what in the movie. For example, in a lot of contemporary big-budget films, plot, script, and character all serve to support the special effects. Oftentimes everything seems to be serving the lead actor. In adult films, everything serves the orgasm. Generally there is one thing that is the point of the film, and everything else exists as placeholders. I think for Bottle Rocket, the master is character, and the plot really serves to motivate character development. For whatever reason, and for whatever its worth, this seems like a much more valid point than, say, explosions or Kevin Costner's classic good looks.
Still, to make a movie work, you've got to have more than good characters. And in Bottle Rocket, every factor holds its own. The film is wonderful to watch on a visual level, with vibrant colors and placeless locations. The acting is eccentric and genuine, with the subtle and sweet Luke Wilson, and the endearingly pathetic Dignon. The writing is spot-on, with indrecibly funny one-liners and dry wit spewing out so regularly that you'll need to watch it at least twice to digest all the humor.
Most importantly is that at the end of the movie, you will love these charcters, and want to watch the movie again to keep them alive.

Rating:
Summary: Subtle, Cerebral Humor, A Classic Film From The 1990's!
Review: This movie grabbed my attention the first time I rented it at my local videostore for it's low key atmosphere and entertaining storyline. The highly persistent (if not entirely insane) Dignan, played by Owen Wilson has got to be one of the most memorable character portrayals in any movie I've ever seen. The slow pace of the movie makes everything just right (you won't be blown away by special effects, unless you consider an altogether cerebral script pyrotechnic) but you will come away from this movie with a sense of adventure and a deep desire for one yourself. The fact that this movie is practically a remake of an earlier project adds even more to its appeal. The caper scenes are hilarious, the dialogue will make you think as well as laugh, and you will come away from this movie with a new appreciation for film making in general. It's not all about explosions after all. And you will find yourself scaring the hell out of your friends when for no reason at all you start screaming "Ka-Caw, Ka-Caw!". If you like this movie check out Rushmore, also directed by Wes Anderson.

Rating:
Summary: "Does the fact I'm trying to do it for you do it for you?"
Review: I might as well not even try to give 'Bottle Rocket' a fair and balanced review because Owen Wilson is all I can talk about when it comes to this movie. His character, Dignan, is the embodiment of what movie characters should be-entities that live beyond the movie, beyond time, and beyond the actor who plays them. Dignan is quite possibly the best movie creation I have seen in a LONG time. I have a newfound respect for Owen Wilson's acting and his screenwriting ability.

With my short homage to Dignan being over (for now...), I will say that 'Bottle Rocket' does not fail to live up to Wes Anderson's usual offbeat comedies. Having seen 'Rushmore' and 'The Royal Tenenbaums' before this movie, I was well prepared for the characters in 'Bottle Rocket' to be slightly insane and freakishly realistic at the same time. There seems to be a common vein that runs through all of Anderson's lead characters-an insatiable drive towards something that the audience (and other characters) may not be able to grasp until the end. You know going into a Wes Anderson film that you are going to be treated with a rare glimpse of an indiscernible time period where the constraints of reality/normalcy do not exist.

I must agree with many of the other reviewers here in that this movie is definitely not for people who can ONLY find humor in the obvious slapstick/punch-line formula. I think all of Anderson's movies are in the "love 'em or hate 'em" category for this reason. The humor in this movie is understated, of course, and it lives within the idiosyncrasies of the characters. The way certain characters deliver their dialogue with their own unique brand of subtle comedy makes this movie what it is-a completely quotable riot for those "in the know" to relish on.

And now I'm back to Dignan. His sincerity and enthusiasm will overwhelm you. In one scene all he does is make a semi honk its horn with the usual yanking motion out a car window, but the gleam in his eyes and smile on his face when he says "Did you hear that?" evokes a pure, childlike excitement that lights up the screen. Dignan definitely sees through the eyes of a child-the world is in black and white to him...maybe only one color, actually. The only things that matter to him are his best bud, Anthony (Luke Wilson as the compassionate realist he plays well) and his "75-Year Plan."

Okay, I must finish here because I could go on for a while...nobody wants that. Just watch this movie. "I'm calling my gang! KA-CAW! KA-CAW!"

Rating:
Summary: Rocket away
Review: Taking a trip into Wes Anderson's head is like going into a parallel universe where most things are the same, but the nature of reality is just slightly warped. And that formula holds true for "Bottle Rocket," his first collaboration with actor Owen Wilson (who also stars), an absurdist crime caper.

Anthony (Luke Wilson) has just been released from a mental hospital after being treated for exhaustion ("You haven't worked a day in your life. How could you be exhausted?"). He hangs out with his idealistically weird pal Dignan (Owen Wilson), who has mapped out his life over the next 75 years. Dignan, having seen a TV special, has decided to become a master criminal.

First they recruitt the timid Bob (Bob Musgrave) as the getaway driver, as he is the only one who has a car. They practice for a while on smaller-time burglaries, such as robbing a bookstore -- then hiding out at a motel, where Anthony falls in love with the pretty South-American maid (Lumi Cavazos). However, the guys find themselves in hot water when they bump into a REAL crime boss (James Caan).

Wes Anderson's touch is a little rough in his movie debut, but it's that slightly unpolished touch that makes his offbeat style a delight here. For example, Anthony "escapes" from a hospital that he can leave anytime he wants. That unnecessarily complex opener sets the tone of the rest of the movie, of thrillseeking young men who are just a little out of sync with the rest of us.

Don't expect stupid puns, toilet humor and bad sex jokes. "Bottle Rocket" shares the dry, funny, erratic humor of Anderson's later movies. Not to mention a thousand funny little lines ("Bob stole his car!"). Anderson and Wilson avoid being self-consciously cool, in favor of being earnestly quirky. No banter, just wit.

The Wilson brothers are in fine form here, especially when interacting with one another. Anthony is calmer and thinks a lot; Dignan is idealistic and wacky almost to the point of mental illness. They have a certain innocence despite their illegal ambitions, and it's fun just to see them ramble around. They, Inez and Bob are sort of misfits, but not the kind you laugh at.

It's a little erratic, but "Bottle Rocket" comes across as fresh, weird, and extremely well-done. Funny, zany and charming crime comedy with a twist of Wes Anderson.

Rating:
Summary: A Near Masterpiece
Review: BOTTLE ROCKET is an exceptionally fresh and thoroughly fun movie. I found myself smiling throughout, and not even sure why. I can't even say what kind of movie it is. For BOTTLE ROCKET defies any attempt at classification, any assault on its originality and creativity by placing it neatly in a box. It is neither a comedy nor a drama; not a love story nor a crime flick. It blends all of these genres--along with a pinch of classic Americana--into a very unique, delightful movie. Yet it is also a deliciously messy enigma: a loosely strung-together melange of brillance and childishness, high and pop art, profundity and absurdity. By the film's conclusion, I knew I had seen something special, a truly inspired and deeply personal work.

BOTTLE ROCKET's power lies in its characters. They are so quirky, so unique, that they seem unmistakably real, and therefore patently likeable. They are simple people who lead quietly extraordinary and beautiful lives, people who believe in following one's dreams, chasing after true love, being individuals--and all with childlike wonder, innocence, and joie de vivre. In short, they are people of unique and genuine character. They also happen to be hysterically funny. BOTTLE ROCKET, while I would not categorically call it a comedy, is easily one of the funniest movies of the nineties. The brothers Owen and Luke Wilson give laudable (although not flawless) performances as the two principals, and they are supported admirably by some great character actors.

BOTTLE ROCKET is also a beatiful picture. The photograhpy is excellent--stylish in an understated way--and this adds an element of class to an already quality piece. Almost every shot would make an excellent photograph, full of rich and subtle detail, and interesting interplay of colors, textures, and distances. BOTTLE ROCKET does not have lavish sets, nor does it take place in exotic locales. Anderson instead transforms what would otherwise be lacklustre settings like rural Texas and a cheap motel into places of almost otherworldly beauty. The lighting has a lot to do with this effect, giving the movie a very clean, bright feel--think of a J.Crew ad, only set in the rural Midwest instead of a Cape Cod beach house. The movie gives the warm, uplifting feeling of a young, free, and beautiful America, a feeling one gets at certain times reading Kerouac. The music is superb to boot, as in all Anderson's flicks, and greatly enhances the visual experience.

Yet BOTTLE ROCKET falls short in its bid for perfection. For one thing, the love story, while sometimes touching, is very artifical and abstract. At times I really wanted Inez and Anthony to get together, but I couldn't help but feel manipulated by the forced nature of their love. Anthony instantly falls in love with the motel housekeeper, who doesn't speak a word of English because she's from Paraguay. The love-at-first-sight gimmick only works when the characters develop a fulfilling emotional bond over time, but this doesn't happen in BOTTLE ROCKET. Also, I think Anderson indulges in the 1960's motif a bit much. From the music to the sets to the hairstyles, everything reeks of the sixties--hell, even all the cars are vintage. There are points in the film where one could easily forget it was made in '96. The ending even reminded me of COOL HAND LUKE. But BOTTLE ROCKET, I've learned, is a very subjective experience and therein lies its genius, at least in part. If you have a well-developed eye, you'll probably like this film, with varying degrees of enthusiasm. The movie's much like a bottle rocket, in fact: it can spark, sizzle, and delight, but in the end, you're not sure whether it could have had more substance. Final note: the DVD is bare-bones. Can't we get at least a commentary, people?

Rating:
Summary: I am an Owen Wilson fan - I celebrate his entire catalogue
Review: "Bottle Rocket" is an Owen Wilson feast. Although he's had some hilarious roles in later movies (Shanghai Noon, Meet the Parent's, Zoolander and Royal Tenenbaums), this is one of the few movies where he is the lead character. He aptly plays the role of Dignan, a modern-day Don Quixote who sets out on a 75 year life of crime only to have his dream of being a professional criminal undermined by his lack of common sense.
This movie is not as sophisticated or complex as later Wes Anderson/Owen Wilson ventures (Rushmore & Royal Tenenbaums), but it is more fun. The humor is very subtle at times but that's what makes it so funny. It's a movie I've seen multiple times and each time I find new things funny while still finding the old things funny.
So if you want some good laughs and a light-hearted movie, do yourself a favor and watch "Bottle Rocket."

Rating:
Summary: a cool look...
Review: At what the Wilson/Anderson writng team were up to before thier Rushmore and Royal Tenenbaums masterpieces. In comparison it is really a pretty boring movie, but it's got some funny moments, as well as a really enjoyable soundtrack, so still fun nevertheless. I reccomend it if you liked the royal tenenbaums, rushmore, or both.(which I can't see how you can't like them unless you're just a bisexual babyeater)

Rating:
Summary: a glimpse of things to come
Review: Bottle Rocket is a film by Wes Anderson, who, along with actor Owen Wilson wrote this fantastic film full of smart humor and unique directing. Everything done in the film is intentional, such as the outfits worn and the colors used in the background. Anderson's unique visual style along with Owen Wilson's hysterical comedic delivery make this film an absolute keeper. It stars 3 would be criminals who hold up a bookstore and then run off and hide in an unknown remote hotel. The trio leaves at a burst of catastrophe which involves one of the characters brother who has trouble with the law. The end result is a final commission from a big wig thief (James Caan) whom Owen Wilson's character idolizes to rob an old factory. The story drags a bit at the hotel sequence, but the hysterical finale makes it all worthwhile. I must mention as well that the characters are great and very unique in that each of their personalities has something massively easy to remember.

The dvd has no extras, and seeing as the film is spawned off of a 30 minute short of the same name, it would have been great to see some extras treatment. Comparitively, the commentary track and extras that were piled onto the Criterion Collections "Rushmore" dvd make you wish even more that "Bottle Rocket" could have gotten at least something(Anderson and Wilson's commentary in "Rushmore" open the eyes of the viewer to so many great things that most likely would have gone unnoticed..how much more for this one!). Yet as it stands, I think we are lucky this film is on dvd at all.

The music is wonderful, completely unique, and adds to every scene. The humor in the movie is comparable to Anderson's other film "Rushmore" as well as the hidden gem "Safe Men" in that it is very dialogue driven. Fans of "Tommy Boy" or "Ace Ventura" may not enjoy the humor quite as much. It is like "Waiting for Guffman" in that the first time you see it you may laugh out loud a bit, but you will quote the movie for weeks after. The second viewing is always the best, and each time after I have noticed different expressions from the characters and laughed in many different places. So give it a try and check out something new. This is Owen Wilsons first movie, Wes Anderson's first feature film, and it is the first of (hopefully) many collaborative efforts to come. Also check out "Rushmore" and the soon to be born "Royal Tenenbaums".

I gave the dvd 4/5 stars due to the lack of the extras, but the print is clean, it can be viewed in either wide or full screen, and the movie-though not flawless-is one of a kind.

Rating:
Summary: The First Wes Anderson Instant Classic
Review: I believe this movie will be remembered for a long time. It didn't make the "bang" with the public that it should have, but that's ok, it would have detracted from the whole ambiance of the film about enthusiastic criminal-wannabes.

A lot of people will say things like "this was stupid" or "what's all the 'hype' about?", but I guarantee you one of two things. 1) They didn't understand the total deadpan hilariousness of the movie, its wonderfully understated brilliance, 2) they can only laugh at blatantly, extrovertly funny people like Jim Carrey.

If you have the patience to actually listen to the dialogue in this movie instead of having the humor hit you over the head, you will get a great reward. Excellent, witty comments, hilarious plans, and wonderful performances. Dignan saying that Bob "...has no character man..." when he wanted to go help his brother in jail almost killed me I was laughing so hard.

PLEASE give this movie an HONEST chance. Don't go in expecting to have everything spelled out for you, this is a very sly comedy.

FOR DVD buyers: The DVD could use a lot more extras on it. I hope that Criterion will provide a treatment of this classic as they did the other amazing Anderson movie, "Rushmore". However, the DVD is double-sided, providing pan-and-scan as well as widescreen. The picture is crisp as usual and the sound is fairly rich IMO. It's 2/5 stars as far as DVD's go, but 10/5 for the movie! :)

Rating:
Summary: Don't just watch it once
Review: This movie is greatness. Two rules: Don't watch it alone or only one time.

"I can't concentrate unless the gun is on the table"