Space Cowboys

source: Space Cowboys

I'm a big fan of the film's of Clint Eastwood. I believe he's arguably one of the greatest fillmmakers of all time. Clint has made a bunch of great movies but none of them are more entertaining than "Space Cowboys". This movie is a complete joy from start to finish. The cast is terrific with one solid performance after another. "Space Cowboys" is funny, exciting and emotional. I watch Clint's movies on a regular basis. For some reason I always forget how great "Space Cowboys" is when I sit down to watch it . It takes about ten minutes before I remember that it's terrific.

Recently saw this again and it's quite simply good entertainment living mostly from the interaction between the main actors. The science is cheesy in places and I have to hold myself back to not rant about the ending, but this is balanced by some self-effacing humor and just enough realism to make it all work.

Well at least for half the movie anywhere as 4 older statesmen gather to prepare for their trip into space, the banter between is something special watching these 4 work together to do something the younger generation would not be able to. Once in space the film starts to lose the "fun" bit and become more serious. Might not be a film you watch twice. The "serious" bit was beyond my understanding of what was really happening in space. These 4 work well together and it would have been better had it been a little longer so that everything had time to be better explained to understand what was going on

This is quite an alright film by actor and director Clint Eastwood. Basically in the beginning it shows Dr. Frank Corvin's (Eastwood) past with his of plane pilots. He has been given a mission to go to space to fix a satellite, and he says he won't go unless he can invite his Cowboy pals to help. He reunites with his pals Jerry O'Neill (Donald Sutherland), Tank Sullivan (James Garner) and cancer victim Col. William 'Hawk' Hawkins (Tommy Lee Jones). I can remember some of the training sequence, but it is him meeting up with them one by one that is quite interesting to watch. It is a bit of a shame that Hawk gave his life to save everyone or whatever, but his body did survive to fall onto the moon. Also starring Marcia Gay Harden as Sara Holland, James Cromwell as Bob Gerson, Toby Stephens as Young Frankand and Jay Leno. It was nominated the Oscar for Best Sound Editing. Worth watching!

Keep in mind that this is science fiction, not docudrama, no matter how convincingly real it looks. Four guys, aced out of the new NASA program in 1958, manage by hook and crook to be sent on a shuttle mission 50 years later to rescue a russian satellite. Special effects genius, great acting and direction, make a very riveting tale. There are many personality conflicts, a little love (but none of the usual soft *), and plenty of unexpected problems, even a little comedy to keep up the interest. In fact, one way to view the film, is that it is all comedy, with a bit of tragedy thrown in. You want to keep your eye on that russky satellite, though. It turns out to be rather large for a communications "bird".

I tried this movie on with a little trepidation. But I was happy to discover a fun, tongue-in-cheek gem that is sure to please. It's got action, comedy, romance and a stellar cast. The name of the movie is a little lacking. When you put James Garner, Tommy Lee Jones, Clint Eastwood, and Donald Sutherland as the headliners its gotta be good. The plot is a bit thin, stretching the belief to the limit, but the story is really more about the interaction of aging aviators, victory over past wrongs, and old-fashioned moxie. If you're looking for a nice bit of patriotic escapism, this is a good place to kick off your boots. 8 out of 10 stars (rent it)

Space Cowboys This is a sci-fi movie - but it is also thorough Clint Eastwood. A combination that for me can only win. Made well after "Unforgiven," it is a mix of the old and the new Eastwood (as demonstrated in "Unforgiven"). The movie has both charm, some good laughs, lots of cool savvy and a surprise, if not a formula finale. But Eastwood, as is his unerring mature signature, pulls it off in a way that makes it solid drama and credible. The interesting plot, in combination with Industrial Light and Magic effects make this a riveting drama - sucking you in. You are on board and it all happens with you right there. Another winner from Clint. I can only say if you like thrillers - sci-fi or otherwise, see this movie. For a thoroughly fine professional critique of this movie go to the review by Bob Graham, Chronicle Senior Writer - Friday, August 4, 2000 in the San Francisco Chronicle. No need to try to repeat what this pro says.* * You can also link there from Roger Ebert's review.

Great movie I really enjoyed it.. wish the ending was a little bit more dramatic and maybe emotional. I felt like the ending was short and didn't grab those heart strings like it could have

May be the best mix of cast and basic concept in the last ten years, even if a few of the stars' ages don't jive with the basic story line. Eastwood is one member of an Air Force team passed over for the space program. When his expertise becomes indispensable for a mission 40 years later he makes NASA take the rest of the old band along. Eastwood's crew and Devane are each entertaining enough that the old fogey stuff is fun if predictable, and Harden does a very nice supporting turn. Things get a little fuzzy towards the end, including crew with secret instructions and surprise satellites; made up some by absolutely breath-taking outer space scenery. The Columbia disaster gives a whole new perspective to the reentry sequence. That disaster may explain the scarcity of TBS showings since this movie's original television run.