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Cocoon
1985
A group of senior citizens residing in a rest home find their lives turned upside down after they are offered the gift of eternal youth by benevolent aliens in Ron Howard's wonderful tribute to the human spirit. Brian Dennehy is Walter, an alien who returns to earth to rescue 20 of his friends now hibernating in cocoons off the .. Read more
| Starring | Don Ameche, Wilford Brimley, Hume Cronyn, Brian Dennehy |
|---|---|
| Director | Ron Howard |
| Genres | Sci-Fi/Fantasy |
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Cocoon
A group of senior citizens residing in a rest home find their lives turned upside down after they are offered the gift of eternal youth by benevolent aliens in Ron Howard's wonderful tribute to the human spirit. Brian Dennehy is Walter, an alien who returns to earth to rescue 20 of his friends now hibernating in cocoons off the coast of Florida. With the help of a charter boat captain (Steve Guttenberg), the cocoons are stored in a deserted swimming pool. When three men from a nearby retirement village (the charming Don Ameche, Wilford Brimley, and Hume Cronyn) sneak into the pool for a swim, they discover what seem to be oversized oystershells in the water. Suddenly they feel physically and spiritually rejuvenated, believing they've found the long elusive Fountain of Youth. The men's frisky behaviour causes something of a controversy in the retirement village as residents are forced to choose between a second youth or accepting the more natural aging process. The ensemble cast of experienced actors, including Ameche, Brimley, and Cronyn as well as Cronyn's real-life wife, Jessica Tandy; Maureen Stapleton; Gwen Verdon; and the skeptical Jack Gilford all bring a dignity to the film's youthful, spirited theme. COCOON, one of the best films of the 1980s, is a heartwarming story that should be treasured for generations.
| Starring | Don Ameche, Wilford Brimley, Hume Cronyn, Brian Dennehy, Steve Guttenberg, Jessica Tandy, Maureen Stapleton, Jack Gilford, Tyrone Power, Gwen Verdon, Tahnee Welch, Tyrone Power Jr. |
|---|---|
| Director | Ron Howard |
| Studio | 20TH CENTURY FOX HOME ENTERTAINMENT |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 52 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Collections | 100 Eighties Greats |
| Genres | Sci-Fi/Fantasy |
| Language | English |
| Hearing-impaired | English |
| Released | DVD: 30 Jun 2003 Production year: 1985 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews (5)
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Director Ron Howard hit the big time with this blockbuster about pensioners finding a new lease of life after stumbling across aliens on a rescue mission from another planet. What saves it from a complete wallow in sentimentality is the sharp and sassy playing of a distinguished cast of Hollywood legends — Oscar-winning Don Ameche, real-life husband and wife Jessica Tandy and Hume Cronyn, Wilford Brimley — all of whom easily steal the show from the bland but youthful Steve Guttenberg and Tahnee Welch. Howard handles the human drama and sci-fi with equal aplomb and the feel-good sentiments certainly struck a chord — a sequel followed three years later. However, a dash of Victor Meldrew's One Foot in the Grave-style cynicism would not have gone amiss.
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"...A fountain of youth fable which imaginatively melds galaxy fantasy with the lives of aging mortals....COCOON weaves a mesmerizing tale..."
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Most helpful member's review
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5 out of 5 people found this review helpful
Not your standard Alien movie!
This is really as different a movie as you can get to any other alien movie - apart from the fact that it does, technically, contain aliens, it really belongs more in the Family category.
On that basis it's not a bad film, if a bit too saccharin for some tastes - a group of old codgers in a Florida retirement home discover a dis-used swimming pool that re-envigorates their old, creaky bones. It turns out that friendly aliens are using the pool to hatch their cocoons in, hence the life-giving properties.
If you want a heart-warming family movie, this is fine. If you want aliens to be blasted away with laser guns, look elsewhere! -
Most recent members' review
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5 out of 5 people found this review helpful
Not your standard Alien movie!
This is really as different a movie as you can get to any other alien movie - apart from the fact that it does, technically, contain aliens, it really belongs more in the Family category.
On that basis it's not a bad film, if a bit too saccharin for some tastes - a group of old codgers in a Florida retirement home discover a dis-used swimming pool that re-envigorates their old, creaky bones. It turns out that friendly aliens are using the pool to hatch their cocoons in, hence the life-giving properties.
If you want a heart-warming family movie, this is fine. If you want aliens to be blasted away with laser guns, look elsewhere! -
News and features
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Guttenberg's new role is close to home
- 05 Nov 2009
Steve Guttenberg will poke fun at his status as an '80s icon in his latest movie role. The actor was king of the box office during the 1980s, starring in four major movie franchises; Three Men and a Baby, Police Academy, Cocoon and Short Circuit. He has since been forced to reinvent himself to stay in the spotlight, appearing on reality show Dancing with the Stars and even embarking on a new career as a stand-up comedian. In his latest role, in romantic drama It's Not You, the 51 year old... Read more
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Cocoon
A group of senior citizens residing in a rest home find their lives turned upside down after they are offered the gift of eternal youth by benevolent aliens in Ron Howard's wonderful tribute to the human spirit. Brian Dennehy is Walter, an alien who returns to earth to rescue 20 of his friends now ...
-