February 24, 2008 - 10:28 pm - Posted by Administrator
The sequel to 1985’s Cocoon, Cocoon: The Return is a worthy–if somewhat thin–continuation to the story. To recap, our geriatrics from the original film discover the fountain of youth. They decide to accompany some aliens to their home planet of Antares where they’re promised eternal life. And in Cocoon: The Return… well, you know, they return. Damn, now that I’ve written that, it sounds ridiculous. Did I give this movie three stars?
Jack Gilford brings his supporting role of Bernie Lefkowitz two steps forward into a starring role, now a widower after the passing of his beloved Rose. Not surprisingly, he is still reluctant to embrace the fountain-of-youth lifestyle of his friends.
The primary story arc of Cocoon: The Return involves the rescue of a cocoon which has been recovered from the ocean by the St. Petersburg Oceanographic Institute. In reality this movie is more about the fragility of life, the importance of family, and having a healthy sense of adventure, all as experienced by Art [Don Ameche], Ben [Wilford Brimley], and Joe [Hume Cronyn] and their wives. Eventually when they begin to experience the aches and pains of being back on Earth, they are forced to make hard decisions–whether to return to Antares and live forever, or stay home on Earth and let nature run it’s course.
Steve Guttenberg and Tahnee Welch (daughter of Raquel) reprise their roles from the first movie, and a young Courteney Cox makes an appearance as Sara, a scientist. Overall, I would say it’s better than most sequels but not exactly must-watch material.
*** Three Stars ***
Posted in 1988, Alien Contact, Atlantis, Suspended Animation, Three Star Rating | No Comments »
February 24, 2008 - 8:31 pm - Posted by Administrator
1984 to 1985 was a very good time for Ron Howard as a Director. On the heels of mainstream success with 1984’s ‘Splash‘ starring Daryl Hannah and Tom Hanks, 1985’s Cocoon became Ron Howard’s first massive smash, catapulting him to new levels as a Director who could write his own ticket in Hollywood.
Cocoon is a science-fiction film of the family-oriented variety, straight out of the Spielberg/Lucas school of movie-making. It boasts an all-star cast including Wilford Brimley, Jessica Tandy, Don Ameche, Brian Dennehy, and that staple of 1980’s movies–Steve Guttenberg. Even MTV Movie Award Lifetime Achievement winner Clint Howard has a role in Cocoon.
A group of St. Petersburg retirees has been trespassing, swimming in the pool at the vacant estate next to their assisted-living center. When a group of out-of-towners rent the estate, they think their swimming days are over. But soon they begin sneaking into the swimming pool and sharing the waters with strange egg-like artifacts collected from the ocean via Jack Bonner’s [Guttenberg] boat. In short fashion, they begin to notice youthful, energizing side effects from their swimming parties. And thus they are drawn into an amazing adventure about aliens and the fountain of youth.
Much as the bleak science fiction movies of the seventies reflected apprehension about the times, Cocoon seems to mirror the optimism of the early eighties with it’s uplifting attitude and fun-for-all-generations angle. Hardcore science fiction fans will probably find it all too vanilla but I enjoy this movie in much the same way I enjoyed Back to the Future or E.T. the Extraterrestrial. If you can handle your movies about Aliens, Immortality, and Atlantis all wrapped up in a shuffleboard and geriatrics storyline, then Cocoon is highly recommended.
**** Four Stars ****
Posted in 1985, Alien Contact, Atlantis, Four Star Rating, Suspended Animation | No Comments »
The sequel to 1985’s Cocoon, Cocoon: The Return is a worthy–if somewhat thin–continuation to the story. To recap, our geriatrics from the original film discover the fountain of youth. They decide to accompany some aliens to their home planet of Antares where they’re promised eternal life. And in Cocoon: The Return… well, you know, they return. Damn, now that I’ve written that, it sounds ridiculous. Did I give this movie three stars?
