In 1985 Cocoon was a significant trend-bucker amongst summer blockbusters. Whereas other genre efforts were devised to lure a teenage audience into FX extravaganzas, this looked like one for their grandparents. Except that it turned out to be a gentle, affecting tale for all ages. Adapted from David Saperstein's novel, director Ron Howard took great delight in focusing on family relationships and the encroachment of old age (themes that reappeared in nearly all his work from here on). The plot is rather surreal in summary: a group of Florida OAPs befriend aliens in... next-door's swimming pool and are rejuvenated to youthful well-being. It's in the FX and characterisations that the story comes alive. Both were acknowledged with Academy Awards; with Don Ameche's supporting role deserving praise for more than just the moment when he does some bodypopping on the dance floor. Wilford Brimley is the real star, a bluff old codger wanting to do right by everyone. Steve Guttenberg provides comic support and allows for a little non-wrinkly nudity with foxy space gal Kitty (Tahnee Welch). ILM's visuals remain polished and inspired, but never allowing us to lose sight of the characters basking in their dazzle. --Paul Tonks [show more]
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Ron Howard directs this sci-fi comedy drama. Elderly friends Art, Ben and Joe (Don Ameche, Wilford Brimley and Hume Cronyn) discover a dip in the swimming pool next door to their Florida retirement home renews their energy and gives them a new lease of life. After being caught trespassing, their neighbours allow the trio to use the pool on the condition they keep its secrets to themselves and they leave the cocoons at the bottom of the pool alone. The cocoons belong to a group of friendly aliens disguised as humans, called Antareans, who are trying to get back home. But when their secret gets out the other residents of Sunny Shores retirement home swarm to the pool and drain the cocoons of their life force, jeopardising the aliens' ability to make their long journey home.
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