Cocoon Movie Review

Humanist sci-fi fantasy in which Florida senior citizens discover a watery nest of dormant aliens (from Atlantis, natch) that serves effectively as a Fountain of Youth, restoring their health and vigor. Complications ensue when the cocoons’ space cohorts return to check up on them. Warm-hearted and winning, even if the f/x-crammed finale rips off Close Encounters of the Third Kind every which way. An Oscar winner for the visual whammies, but made memorable by screen greats Don Ameche, Wilford Brimley, Jack Gilford, Hume Cronyn, and Jessica Tandy. Based on David Saperstein's then-unpublished novel, which he followed with the literary sequel Metamorphosis, essentially unrelated to the inevitable Hollywood encore Cocoon: The Return.

1985 (PG-13) 117m/C Wilford Brimley, Brian Dennehy, Steve Guttenberg, Don Ameche, Tahnee Welch, Jack Gilford, Hume Cronyn, Jessica Tandy, Gwen Verdon, Maureen Stapleton, Tyrone Power Jr., Barret Oliver, Linda Harrison, Herta Ware, Clint Howard; D: Ron Howard; W: Tom Benedek; C: Don Peterman; M: James Horner. Academy Awards ‘85: Best Supporting Actor (Ameche), Best Visual Effects. VHS, Beta, LV FOX, FCT, BTV