Rating: 
Summary: Anderson and Wilson Deserve Humanitarian of the Year Award.
Review: Wes Anderson's and Owen Wilson's Bottle Rocket is the most sympathetic film I have seen since...well, their most recent film, The Royal Tenenbaums. Professing to be a Wes Anderson adherent since the release of their third film--though I'd never seen his and Wilson's very first collaboration [pseudo fan--oh you better believe it], I finally surrendered the insanity and rented it from my local Blockbuster. All I can seem to say is, "Oh! What a film!" I, insanely, have refrained from writing a review of The Royal Tenenbaums because I know I will resort to sentimentality and will be unable to relate my thoughts intelligently and thus say nothing constructive. Now, however, I am forced to review Bottle Rocket, mainly because it is a deserving yet--unlike The Royal Tenenbaums--very undervalued film. Although directed in a crazy and amateur style [much different from the precision in the direction of Anderson's subsequent two films]--shaky hand-held camera and mismatched and unconfident musical choices--the writing is not noticeably second-rate to that in Rushmore and The Royal Tenenbaums. Despite the film's very few problems, there is a pleasant sentiment accompanying the watching of this film--Bottle Rocket's cast and crew are comprised of family members and old friends [most every actor in the film has a Texan drawl], and even the sets seem to evoke a personal sentiment in the creators. Because of this familiarity, you, the viewer, are overwhelmed with the feeling that this film were made by people you actually knew, and--when there are mistakes--you don't even want to hold it against the makers or maintain any true negative feeling towards the film because it is just so nice. The story is somewhat uncontained and unsystematic: two bored friends, Anthony [Luke Wilson] and Bob, are forced into participating in recreational robberies that are crazy [yet unassuming]--like holding up a book store at closing time--but grandly planned with an extravagant detail by Dignan [Owen Wilson], their whimsical, delusional and childish friend. Anthony and Bob, in their mid-twenties, are interested in relationships with girls or their families, but Dignan is interested in nothing but pulling off heists in revolutionary ways--hoping to be made into some kind of crime legend--since he's been fired from a job he really liked, working as a landscaper. The story of Bottle Rocket is easily and obviously reminiscent of Mark Twain's Tom Sawyer in that Tom, like Dignan, was more eager to fantasize and daydream than ever accomplish anything or even enter the real world while it was Huck, like Anthony, who tired of the childish fantasy games. Though the story is haphazard, it is one of the most compassionate and kind character analyses I've ever seen in a film. Dignan holds grudges and is easily upset, but he's always the one receiving the punches and never giving them, and when arguments start he instantly begs everyone with a pitiful desperation to stop fighting. "You know, I'm not always as confident as I look," Dignan confides after being heckled by some older, cooler, and more accomplished guys for wearing a yellow jumpsuit. His friend, Anthony, tries to console him by saying, "Did you see what they were wearing?" but all Dignan replies with is, "Yeah, it looked pretty cool." Owen Wilson, unlike in the other films, is the primary writer of Bottle Rocket and adds a comprehension of the character that only autobiographical experience could possibly invoke. The writing and execution of the other major players, Anthony and Bob, fail in comparison to the utter vitality exuded through the personality of Dignan, and this disproportion proves to be the major downfall of the film. Nevertheless, though characters like Max Fischer, Royal Tenenbaum and Eli Cash are extremely well-written and are quite effective, Bottle Rocket's Dignan is the most kindhearted and benevolent character ever created by Anderson and Wilson--or anyone else, for that matter.
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 humorous, heart-warming surprise
Review: I had no idea what I was getting in to when I purchased this DVD prior to viewing (as I often do); I was just excited to find another movie with both the talented Wilson brothers. The humor, as typical for Owen, is understated and clever. The twist may have been predictable if you are looking for one, but viewing the film with the abandon with which indie films are usually created allows for more enjoyment of the film. The development of the characters in the way they are similar and at the same time uniquely different adds to the appeal of the film. Not a profound or moving film in the life-questioning, verging on depressing nature of many of my favorite indie films, but pleasantly uplifting in the way the characters portray a dedicated belief in their ideals, no matter the level of their seeming importance to others.
Rating:
Summary: He's out. And you're out, too. And I dont think I'm in
Review: Brilliant, funny, and undescrible. The characters are great, as well as the lines that you will quote, over and over. So many good ones! You have to watch more than once, of course, like caddyshack. And like that movie, you either dig it or don't get it. Anwya, the friendships between odd characters in wacky situations are always good for a laugh. Owen is a master of doing it. Bottle Rocket is unique and totally deserves the high rating, as its one of the best.
Rating:
Summary: doesn't get any more hilarious than this
Review: One of the greatest, funniest movies of all time. For twenty-somethings it may change your life. The review above that claimed that you may not like this if "tommy boy" is your idea of funny (and i love tommy boy) was dead on. High browish humor, very subtle and understated. Ok here is one of the greatest lines ever: (forgive me if not verbatum, haven't seen the movie in a couple months) "One morning, over at elizabeth's beach house, she asked me if i'd rather go water skiing or lay out. And i realized that not only did I not want to answer THAT question, i never wanted to answer another water sports question, or see any of these people again for the rest of my life". The movie really doesn't have much of a plot (aimless "slacker-types" have nothing to do so they decide to try out being thieves, rob a library, flee town, fall in love, get beat up by mexican locals, team up w/ james caan on a ridiculous and doomed heist...). Amazing soundtrack, amazing acting,...I really can't say enough great things about this work of brilliance. Watch it twice (although chances are you won't stop there)
Rating:
Summary: A Review Haiku by Todd Marrone
Review: Quiet, competent
first flick by the Wilson boys,
slightly slow but fresh.
Rating:
Summary: How could anyone not love Dignan
Review: Bottle Rocket is just a great film.It showed that Owen and Luke were hilarous.No matter how many times I have seen I still love it.Its just a really great movie.
Rating:
Summary: A FINE EXAMPLE OF INDEPENDENT CINEMA.
Review: The movie "Bottle Rocket" was widely ignored in 1996, but after a few years, the film has gradually gain respect and fans. "Bottle Rocket" was directed by the great indie director Wes Anderson, who wrote the screenplay along Owen Wilson, who plays one of the main characters of the movie, Dignan. "Bottle Rocket" tells the story of a small time thieves trio: Dignan (Owen Wilson), Anthony (Luke Wilson) & Bob (Robert Musgrave). One of the strongest points of the film is that the characters are so well developed that it's easy to feel identified with them. Plus, the story is a breath of fresh air, something that is difficult to see frequently in these days. Definitely this is a sweet little movie. Recommendable for indie films lovers.
Rating:
Summary: The Beginning of something good...
Review: The combination of Wes Andersen and Owen Wilson has proved to be a formula for success. Artistic success of a unique sort, these two have provided us with a taste of what modern filmmaking can do. Colorful, imaginative, and funny, Bottle Rocket is the first in a series that brought us the splendid Rushmore and Royal Tenenbaums.
The movie plays a bit like an inside joke, though it is a joke that welcomes you in. If you let yourself into the circle you'll find yourself rewarded with a terrific viewing experience.
The plot itself is described as "resovoir geeks" which is accurate. It borrows nothing from Resovoir Dogs, however, but the premise of being a heist movie. Though to call this a heist movie in the traditional sense, would be silly. Our characters here have no idea how to pull a REAL crime, instead robbing a bookstore and even running practice jobs on one characters parents home.
Ultimately this movie is about friendship and cameraderie, and all of the strange ways we try to fit in. Definitely worth seeing.
Rating:
Summary: Spirited debut from Wes Anderson
Review: "Bottle Rocket" lacks the focus and maturity of Wes Anderson's two later films, "Rushmore" and "The Royal Tenenbaums", but it is nonetheless a satisfying and often very funny film. Based on a short film that director/co-writer Anderson made in 1994, "Bottle Rocket" tells the story of three 20-somethings who aspire to be thieves. The comparison to "Reservoir Dogs" that appears on the cover is without basis, in my opinion. There is little grit or darkness to Wes's film. There's next-to-nothing in the way of violence or true obscenity (the things that often turn me off to Tarantino's films). It's colorful and bouncy, which is a good way to describe Dignan, the offbeat character played by co-writer Owen Wilson. It's the finest comedy work I've seen from Owen. It's also (along with "Tenenbaums") the best performance I've seen from his brother Luke, who plays the protagonist Anthony. Luke's performance is subdued and also, very funny. The brothers have great chemistry together, and are able to make each other's performance more entertaining. Robert Musgrave rounds out the trio and gives a delightfully quirky performance as the awkward one who endures constant abuse from his brother. He cements his place in the group simply because he is the one who has the car. James Caan and Wes Anderson regular Kumar Pallana also deliver energy and comedy in their supporting roles. "Bottle Rocket" is a wise film, and it makes a nice companion to the two aforementioned Wes Anderson films that everyone has seen. It is wise, fast-moving and extremely funny, although certainly not to everyone's tastes. The DVD from Columbia/TriStar is completely featureless (not even a trailer), but it displays the film's colorful palette with a crispness and fidelity that is most satisfying.
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