 If
you had the chance to do a really cool science project, what would it be? How
about restoring an ICBM-sized rocket? Chris Bremble's debut film
Rocket's Red Glare will guide you through it. Starring Austin Power 2's
Robert Wagner, Marilu Henner from "Taxi",
Deep End of the Ocean (1999)'s Ryan Merriman and "Boy Meets
World" Danielle Fishel, this feel good TV movie will please
the whole family as well as the lone viewer. Rocket's Red Glare is
a demonstration of the power of will and the value of science.
Todd Baker, a quiet, under-achieving high-school student has always dreamt
of space exploration. A third-generation spacecraft pilot wannabe, he is given
the opportunity to restore a Mercury Redstone rocket... for his senior-high science
project! High and lows will greet him and his family as the restoration takes
place while an emergency develops in space.
 Not
unlike SpaceCamp (1986) or Explorers (1985), Rocket's Red Glare
presents the viewer with a teen who has nothing but space exploration in mind.
Looking at this adolescent having fun working on a rocket with his friends will
surely spark the imagination of the under-aged, who might actually discover themselves
in Todd. Furthermore, given that science is the way of the future, the hero character
demonstrates that what one learns in school really does apply in the real world.
 Building
on the idea of imaginings, one of Rocket's Red Glare strongest themes
is about pursuing one's dreams. The film leading character, Todd, has set himself
an amazing goal for his science project. With almost unbearable time and financial
limitations, he sets his mind to attain his target. While you may not feel it
on TV, his passion rapidly sets fire to the imagination of his surroundings. Soon
enough, one starts remembering such periods of intense work and success... and
feels like being out there, achieving something!
Lastly, the film takes the observer in contact with an rapidly fading method
of space flight: flying with a human pilot. Indeed, with the increasing use of
navigation automation, most of today's rockets and shuttle launches are almost
pilot-free. Such a tendency will soon result in windowless shuttles (like the
X-33 prototype) where the spirit of control and conquest are just mere memories.
Rocket's Red Glare assists in capturing that very spirit and showing
the audience what true pioneering space flight is all about: heroism, risk, pride
and will.
 Overall,
you'll be glad to see Rocket's Red Glare. This is not an special effects
mega production or an ultra-violent alien shooting-spree: this is a feel good
family movie that you don't want to miss. Rekindling the real nature of space
exploration, the movie will make you wish you were lucky enough to be in Todd's
shoes. If you dream of building your own space-vehicle like in Explorers (1985),
if you long to be selected for an outbound trip as in Contact (1997), or
if you wish you were some Space Cowboys (2000), then see Rocket's Red Glare.
You won't be disappointed.
Now, if I could only find an abandoned rocket somewhere...
Review by René-Marc Simard. |
