DVD
Review | Cocoon--The Return
Written by: Kage
Alan
I knew audiences were in a wee bit of trouble
during the first few minutes of “The Return” when Grandpa Ben appears
on young David’s television with a Sci-Fi backdrop behind him right
out of a 70’s outer space show. Well, the concept was solid enough
and a sequel was inevitable, but without Ron Howard at the helm to
steer the story and allow the actors the opportunity to stretch out
like they did in the first film, this had major potential to sink.
Considering what it made at the box office, it looks like Director
Daniel Petrie didn’t do his homework.
Yes, the gang has returned home. Kitty (Tahnee
Welch) is a sight for sore eyes for Jack (Steve Guttenberg), who has
taken to giving cheesy boat tours in the ocean for money. Yeah, he’s
done well for himself. Meanwhile, the one friend who didn’t go with
everybody, Bernie (Jack Gilford), spends his days bemoaning his
situation at his deceased wife’s grave and even considering suicide.
Funny? Not really, even though it’s played that way. I’d even call it
offensive. Fortunately, Art (Don Ameche), Joe (Hume Cronym), Mary
(Maureen Stapleton) and Alma (Jessica Tandy) are there to take him under
their wing once more.
The reason for the return? Seismic activity has
set off sensors near the cocoons on the ocean floor. Fearing that they
will be lost, a rescue crew is once again dispatched to bring them
back. Complicating matters (there are always complications) is that a
research institute discovers one of the cocoons and takes it back to
land. Will the aliens be able to befriend and trust researcher Sarah (Courteney
Cox) or will they have to resort to eating human faces off the bones?
Kidding.
The only thing “Cocoon: The Return” allows its
stars to do while the aliens are busy planning a rescue is shop, shoot
hoops, beat up annoying orderlies and partake in some slapstick shtick.
There are a few fleeting moments between Grandpa and David (Barret
Oliver), but not enough. Barret really grew up between the last film
and this one, not only in actual size, but also acting ability. It’s a
shame we don’t see more of him in the future. As for the effects in the
film, they’re not as good the first. In fact, the captured alien looks
downright cheesy. Even Brian Dennehy’s presence is sorely missed. Had
this sequel been planned properly, it could have been so much more.
Fox has released “Cocoon: The Return” in both its
original Widescreen ratio and Full Screen for those who don’t know any
better. Picture quality is fine as is audio, so no real complaints
there. As for extras, there are some trailers included and nothing
more. This puzzles me considering what the studio put on the first
film’s disc. Actually, an audio commentary would have been solid idea
here, allowing the director to make a case for his film and give us some
insight. Was it all his fault? Did the studio interfere? Did the man
just not care how the final product turned out? Personally, I’d like to
know.
The couple of touching moments in this film have to
do with the characters discussing their fear of death, not wanting to
outlive their children, watching their friends being sick and dropping
like flies and having the chance to beat the odds by living forever.
Haven’t we all at one time wished to live forever? The older I get,
though, the more I wonder if I’d truly want to. Once we leave this
life, one can only hope we’re reunited with our loved ones and if that
indeed does happen, then maybe leaving isn’t such a bad thing. It’s too
bad there wasn’t a “Cocoon 3” to correct some of the mistakes made in
this one. If nothing else, “Cocoon: The Return” allows audiences to see
the cast assembled together for one last adventure.
Film Rating: C
DVD Special Features: N/A
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