`Rocketman' is a blast.

It's not brilliant
but it a hoot.

By Tim Burchett
Special to The Bakersfield Californian



If you were to cross Pee Wee Herman with Forrest Gump, you would probably get Harland Williams.

You might not be familiar with his name, but you've seen him in such movies as "Dumb and Dumber" and "Down Periscope." Now he's starring in his own movie, "The Rocketman."

Williams plays Fred Randall, a computer expert for N.A.S.A., whose dream of being an astronaut is realized when he is chosen as a last minute replacement o a crew going to Mars.

While this is not a comedy masterpeice, the bulk of the film is hilarious. If you have seen the 1964 movie "The Reluctant Astronaut," which starred Don Knotts, you'll notice this is a remake.

The acting is good; William Sadler and Beau Bridges stand out as Randall's fellow astronauts and idols.

"The Rocketman" was well directed by Stuart Gillard, who also directed "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 3."

One warning for those young impressionable minds out there, the opening scene shows a young Fred Randall in a dryer. Please do not attempt to try that at home.

I recommend "Rocketman." It's not the most complex movie out there, but it sure is funny.