Hard to believe it, but there was a time when Steve Guttenberg was a major box-office draw, and Cocoon was one of the films that made it so. Directed by Ron Howard, this touching (some might say 'schmaltzy') sci-fi is strictly Spielbergian in tone: two hours of family-friendly fantasy with a warmth and charm that it's hard not to appreciate. The plot might leave a few unanswered questions, but the action is expertly handled by Howard, the film offering moments of joy, wonderment and tear-jerking pathos.
Guttenberg plays Floridian tour boat owner Jack Bonner, who discovers that the group of people who have hired his craft are actually extraterrestrials who have returned to earth after thousands of years to rescue their friends, who were left behind when Atlantis sank beneath the waves. Sealed in cocoons, the stranded aliens are retrieved from the sea bed and placed in a swimming pool to replenish their lifeforce, the very same pool that is frequented by three trespassing OAPs from a nearby home. When the trio - Art Selwyn (Don Ameche), Ben Luckett (Wilford Brimley) and Joe Finley (Hume Cronyn) - take a dip amongst the cocoons, they find themselves given a new lease of life.
With so much experience between them, it's no surprise that the old-timers steal the show, leaving Guttenberg and his otherworldly pals to play second fiddle. Gutternberg is adequate in his role, Tahnee Welch plays the spindly-limbed love interest from another galaxy, and Brian Dennehy is dependable as the leader of the aliens, but none of them can hold a candle to the breakdancing Ameche and his elderly pals, with a special mention for Jack Gilford as reluctant pensioner Bernie Lefkowitz, who seriously tugs at the heart strings when he tries too late to save the life of his wife Rose (Herta Ware).
The film does leave one wondering why the aliens took so long to return for their friends, why they are so happy to pop them back in the sea and take a load of meddlesome coffin-dodgers into outer space instead, and whether Jack is ultimately thrown into jail for manslaughter, but, hey, best not to dwell on these things... just sit back and enjoy the antics of the old people while trying to forget that Guttenberg's success in this film led to more Police Academy films and 3 Men and a Baby.
Guttenberg plays Floridian tour boat owner Jack Bonner, who discovers that the group of people who have hired his craft are actually extraterrestrials who have returned to earth after thousands of years to rescue their friends, who were left behind when Atlantis sank beneath the waves. Sealed in cocoons, the stranded aliens are retrieved from the sea bed and placed in a swimming pool to replenish their lifeforce, the very same pool that is frequented by three trespassing OAPs from a nearby home. When the trio - Art Selwyn (Don Ameche), Ben Luckett (Wilford Brimley) and Joe Finley (Hume Cronyn) - take a dip amongst the cocoons, they find themselves given a new lease of life.
With so much experience between them, it's no surprise that the old-timers steal the show, leaving Guttenberg and his otherworldly pals to play second fiddle. Gutternberg is adequate in his role, Tahnee Welch plays the spindly-limbed love interest from another galaxy, and Brian Dennehy is dependable as the leader of the aliens, but none of them can hold a candle to the breakdancing Ameche and his elderly pals, with a special mention for Jack Gilford as reluctant pensioner Bernie Lefkowitz, who seriously tugs at the heart strings when he tries too late to save the life of his wife Rose (Herta Ware).
The film does leave one wondering why the aliens took so long to return for their friends, why they are so happy to pop them back in the sea and take a load of meddlesome coffin-dodgers into outer space instead, and whether Jack is ultimately thrown into jail for manslaughter, but, hey, best not to dwell on these things... just sit back and enjoy the antics of the old people while trying to forget that Guttenberg's success in this film led to more Police Academy films and 3 Men and a Baby.