DVD Review | Cocoon
Written by: Kage Alan

It’s sometimes easy to forget just how good a movie was when you’re reviewing as many movies as a reviewer does.  We don’t often have time to go back and revisit something unless we’re sick at home in bed.  I can say that I remember catching this flick back in 1985 and thinking how absolutely wonderful it was.  The magic resurfaced with the promise of its sequel in 1988’s “Cocoon: The Return,” but it didn’t capture the power and originality of the original.  While I’d loved “Splash,” it was this film that turned me on to the storytelling abilities of Director Ron Howard.

Benjamin Luckett (Wilford Brimley) lives with his wife Marilyn (Maureen Stapleton) in a senior citizens complex.  Their lives are spent rather boringly doing things that society has deemed appropriate for their age group.  Fortunately, while Marilyn is playing cards with best friend Alma (Jessica Tandy), Ben is off with Arthur (Don Ameche) and Joseph (Hume Cronyn) swimming at a rental mansion.  Much to their dismay, a group of people take possession of the mansion, namely Walter (Brian Dennehy), Kitty (Tahnee Wlech) and a few others.  What they don’t know?  Walter and his group have hired local boat owner Jack (Steve Guttenberg) to help recover a number of cocoons from the bottom of the ocean, leftover inhabitants from Atlantis.

Yes, aliens are among us, only they’re friendly.  While this might alarm some, Ben and the boys discover that the pool the cocoons are being temporally stored in has regenerative powers that seem to be reversing the problems associated with aging.  The more they use the pool, the more their problems clear up.  Ben can pass his vision tests and Joe goes into remission.  As with anything, however, there are complications with the aliens’ mission and a decision that could effect many of their lives has to be made.

Above the sci-fi and humor present, “Cocoon” is about age, aging and what it’s like looking at the end of one’s life as well as what it would be like if there were choices that really could be made.  The scenes between Wilford Brimley and young actor Barret Oliver are especially memorable and extremely well done.  I keep wondering whatever happened to Barret since he seemed to quit showbiz a few years later.  Well, at some point, I’m not going to be able to keep up with the rest of the world and I will grow old.  I only hope I can do it as gracefully as the actors in this film have.  Even those who have passed away since the film came out have left behind a rich legacy and wonderful memories.

Fox has released “Cocoon” in its original Widescreen ratio, the only sensible format for a film of this kind.  For those of you uneducated in the ways of film and quality, the Full Screen transfer is available on the flip side.  Why they cater to you, I’ll never know.  Picture quality is quite strong here with only hints of grain here and there.  Audio quality is also quite nice, so no complaints there.  The real surprise here is the extras that Fox has been kind enough to include.  First up is an audio commentary with Director Ron Howard.  While there are some lapses of silence (he hasn’t seen the film in its entirety since 1985), he gives a great deal of insight into the production and it’s obvious how much he cherished the cast and time spent with them.  Aside from that, we’re given a “Behind-the-Scenes Featurette” (6 ¾ min), “Ron Howard Profile” (2 ½ min), “Underwater Training” (3 ½ min), “Actors” (2 ¾ min), “Creating Antareans” (4 min), a Still Gallery, three TV spots, a Theatrical Teaser, trailer and then teaser for the sequel.  Oh, how I wish they’d have included a longer retrospective documentary.

“Cocoon” is a sci-fi movie made for people who don’t like sci-fi movies.  It also acts as a crossover film for generations to enjoy together.  This is something my grandmother and I could have sat down and watched together back then.  It’s too bad we didn’t, but then every family has their issues.  One last thing worth noting is James Horner’s excellent score.  There are hints here and there from his previous works, yet melded into something appropriate for the mood in this picture.  All in all, this is worth revisiting again in the future and enjoying for everything that it represents.  Now…onto “Cocoon: The Return.”

Film Rating: A
DVD Special Features: B