Bottle Rocket
Sony Pictures Releasing | Release Date: February 21, 1996
8.4
USER SCORE
Universal acclaim based on 177 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
151
Mixed:
22
Negative:
4
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User Reviews

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7
tonyGreenSep 9, 2011
The usual fare from Wes Anderson. This one has the same tone, the same themes as all his later films. Which is not neccessarily a bad thing. There are some good jokes here, and pretty high production values for an 'indie'. The film thatThe usual fare from Wes Anderson. This one has the same tone, the same themes as all his later films. Which is not neccessarily a bad thing. There are some good jokes here, and pretty high production values for an 'indie'. The film that started the Wilson brother's careers (Owen and Luke) and they do well in this. worth a look, especially for Wes Anderson fans… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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7
TokyochuchuJul 8, 2012
Bottle Rocket is Wes Anderson's first and weakest offering. The film isn't anywhere near bad, it's just that Anderson's skills as a director are only budding here instead of blooming (as they would be on the following Rushmore). Likewise, theBottle Rocket is Wes Anderson's first and weakest offering. The film isn't anywhere near bad, it's just that Anderson's skills as a director are only budding here instead of blooming (as they would be on the following Rushmore). Likewise, the writing is likable and features the same lightness of touch as the later films but isn't in the same league as The Royal Tenenbaums. Still, if you are a big Wes Anderson fan, Bottle Rocket makes for intriguing viewing.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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6
grandpajoe6191Oct 8, 2011
The movie's cinematography is impressive as well as the performance of the actors if you realize this was a student movie. But Wes Anderson's "Bottle Rocket" doesn't really have any twists or thrills in its plot; you'll be watching a 91The movie's cinematography is impressive as well as the performance of the actors if you realize this was a student movie. But Wes Anderson's "Bottle Rocket" doesn't really have any twists or thrills in its plot; you'll be watching a 91 minute movie will interest, but no more than that level.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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7
BryceHooglandJul 9, 2012
Bottle Rocket is Wes Anderson
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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8
ThegodfathersonAug 5, 2013
BOTTLE ROCKET was a critical success when it was released in 1996 and launched the careers of a creative team that know comedy can be talky, subtle, character driven, and even heartbreaking at times. It's not the best Anderson-WilsonBOTTLE ROCKET was a critical success when it was released in 1996 and launched the careers of a creative team that know comedy can be talky, subtle, character driven, and even heartbreaking at times. It's not the best Anderson-Wilson endeavor, but as the first it establishes central elements visible in all their films.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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7
The3AcademySinsJul 20, 2018
Bottle Rocket is a great look at proto-Wes Anderson, and you'll see a lot of his techniques that became his trademark. It's a fun movie, and even in 1996 you can tell Wes Anderson and Owen Wilson were headed for great things. This is aBottle Rocket is a great look at proto-Wes Anderson, and you'll see a lot of his techniques that became his trademark. It's a fun movie, and even in 1996 you can tell Wes Anderson and Owen Wilson were headed for great things. This is a must-see for fans of Wes Anderson, and fans of indie film.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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8
royalguy07Jun 26, 2023
While not yet establishing his visual style, Wes Anderson manages to showcase his signature humor and writing with his debut feature. Bottle Rocket is fun and engaging from start to finish.
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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8
CelbertB.Oct 28, 2005
Not Anderson's best, but far better than most. Owen Wilson is excelent.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
5
SpangleOct 18, 2013
Love Wes Anderson, but this didn't do much for me. Of course, the directing was excellent and the acting was ok, but the story just never really "grabbed me" at all. Now, it isn't a trainwreck by any means, but it's also anything but a goodLove Wes Anderson, but this didn't do much for me. Of course, the directing was excellent and the acting was ok, but the story just never really "grabbed me" at all. Now, it isn't a trainwreck by any means, but it's also anything but a good movie. Feels unfinished and lacking in key plot elements that, oh I don't know, make it interesting.… Expand
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7
Compi24May 21, 2013
Throughout Anderson's directorial debut, "Bottle Rocket," you can definitely sense him trying to come into his proverbial own, but it is still an outrageous and occasionally deep comedic drama.
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10
kleinfelter38Oct 10, 2022
An absolute classic. It's one of the films in the Criterion Collection and it surely deserves to be.
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7
ahmedaiman1999Apr 27, 2021
In all honesty, the plot is awfully muddled I couldn't even figure out what it is about, and it keeps going off at a tangent frequently with all its twists and turns until it becomes almost entirely obfuscated by the end. But seeing whipIn all honesty, the plot is awfully muddled I couldn't even figure out what it is about, and it keeps going off at a tangent frequently with all its twists and turns until it becomes almost entirely obfuscated by the end. But seeing whip pans, dolly-tracking shots, overheads of perfectly placed props and profile shots among others that would later become Wes Anderson's visual trademarks is oddly satisfying and special in its own way. Sure they seem half-ripe and lacking in the tantalizing aesthetic quality that define the look of Anderson's films, but they are all there and as effectively and perfectly employed as in the auteur's most acclaimed efforts. And the same can be said about the hodgepodge of evocative music choices. Madcap and slapstick moments are present as well. What truly piqued my attention, and gripped me throughout the hour-and-half runtime, are the warmth of friendship between the lead duo (played by Luke and Owen Wilson) and spirit of camaraderie between the three pals that, alongside the plotline revolving around Anthony’s romance with a hotel chambermaid, give the movie a feel that's at once tender, free-wheeling and delightfully charming tending to make one think of John Hughes. Whilst the attempts at making a caper story with a light-hearted approach are worthy of appreciation, I think it's fair to say that it is the weakest link here. Still, Bottle Rocket is a small-scale joyride and a confident debut for one of the most idiosyncratic filmmakers working today.… Expand
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7
DawdlingPoetNov 25, 2021
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This movie I believe was written while Owen (and Luke(?)) and Wes were at university together in Texas in the 1990s and is now seen as a cult comedy hit.

Bottle Rocket is all about three friends who team up to escape their boring lifes and pursuit a life of petty crime. This eventually leads to the local criminal 'head honcho' who's played by James Caan, spotting them and convincing them to carry out a large heist - but is it too much for them to handle and will they get away with it?

The movie starts with Anthony (played by Luke Wilson) getting out out of a psychiatric ward (which he stayed at due to suffering exhaustion), with his friend Dignans help (played by Owen Wilson), even though he could voluntarily leave, Dignan was keen to try and help him 'escape' so Anthony let him and after they leave, Dignan proudly explains to Anthony his 75 year plan, which documents exactly how their going to live this life of petty crime and get by. Of course there is alot of naivety there and things don't really work out as planned but its Dignans character that you really feel most intrigued by and interested in, in general (maybe im baised as a fan of Owens but I still feel that way). He tries so hard to believe that he has everything planned out and knows how to lead this semi fantastic life that will keep him and his friends going by ok and he clearly craves the responsibility of being the boss, where Anthony on the other hand is alot more dubious and unsure and tries to plan things more practically. Where Dignan is always the over optimist, Anthony is more the worrier but its in Dignans child like optimism and hope that he clearly has alot of belief in, that really makes the viewer feel for him. You worry that it won't be possible for him to carry out his plans and for everything to go just as planned in his 75 year plan and so the movie follows the three friends as they embark on the first stages of this plan... of course, as feared, not everything does go to plan but still Dignan comes across as the ever optimist, who tries to convince Anthony that they can overcome their problems and the three of them travel, staying at a motel for some time where Anthony falls for one of the motels maid, Ines, that happens to only properly speak Spanish, which is a problem considering that Anthony doesn't speak Spanish, so he gets a fellow motel employee to translate for him. This ends up causing problems where Dignan mistakenly gets the wrong message, put it that way!

There are definately some funny moments, again its pretty subtle comedy, as in all of Wes Andersons movies but it does definately have its moments. I thought the movie was in some ways pretty sentimental and idealistic I suppose you could say and I think if people had the faith in pursuing the life they want and believing in themselves like Dignan tries so hard to do in this movie, it would be a good thing. The characters in the movie are all fairly complicated and quirky and in a sense I suppose, thinking more negatively, you may feel as if it never really entirely 'gets off the ground', story wise but if you think about it afterwards, I think it works well enough. Its similar to Wes' other films with subtle messages and this particular film I thought was also quite sentimental and kind hearted, in a sense I suppose it has links to the great ol' American dream that they talk about (the general 'they') and the pursuit of some great life... of course you'll have to buy the movie to see if they manage to succeed with their planned life of petty crime and see what happens when their pushed into the heist... surely this is too much for them?

I quite enjoyed this movie, although it did get a bit slow in parts, I thought that the dialogue was particularly well thought out, with Dignan and Anthony having some pretty good quotes and of course the acting was good, this movie was a good starting place for the Wilson brothers, Bob Musgrave and as Wes' first film. Considering it didn't have a massive budget and it does have a slightly more independent film feel about it, which I think in a way adds to its charm, it works well. Again don't go in expecting lots of slapstick humour, think of it as a sort of a chronicle of a what happens to a small group of friends and one dreamer who believes he knows how to get through life in a slightly more unconventional way than normal... this is somewhat similar to other Wes movies with more sentimentality in it I feel and I do believe it is worth watching.… Expand
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5
geewahJan 23, 2021
Where it started for a number of creative talents. Solid but not that great.
Wes Anderson's first and weakest effort.
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8
HabibiehakimMay 28, 2022
As a guy who already watch some later on Wes Anderson movie, like Moonrise Kingdom, The Grand Budapest Hotel, and he's recent one The French Dispatch, and i personally did not see Bottle Rocket any better than those movie even though theAs a guy who already watch some later on Wes Anderson movie, like Moonrise Kingdom, The Grand Budapest Hotel, and he's recent one The French Dispatch, and i personally did not see Bottle Rocket any better than those movie even though the score that i give for Bottle Rocket is the same with The Grand Budapest Hotel and The French Dispatch, i did like those two better than this, Moonrise Kingdom is just on another level, still so far my favorite from Wes Anderson, Bottle Rocket started as just a decent robbery movie that later on become more than that, we have some good friendship story and element, we also have a good romance story that i like, the movie is perform pretty well by all the cast, the movie also fills with great music, the movie did not take too long, and overall i like it, it's still a good directorial debut from someone who i already watch his later movie, it's good.… Expand
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5
NickTheCritickApr 23, 2022
Three criminals in the sixteenth are participating in unsuccessful ventures. They are waiting for the big shot that seems to come thanks to the expert Mr. Henry. A witty but rather anonymous comedy that leaves little desire to get it back again.
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