zkonedog Put simply, "Space Cowboys" is one of those movies that possesses something for each individual viewer, whether that be comedy, adventure, acting, or nostalgia. The more of those categories viewers associate themselves with, the more they will enjoy the movie.For a basic plot summary, "Space Cowboys" begins in the past when a team of U.S. Air Force members, on the cusp of reaching the moon, are scuttled in favor of NASA. Decades later, however, an old satellite decays in orbit and is hurtling towards Earth's atmosphere. The guidance system, which cannot be deciphered by newer technicians, is as old as the men called in to fix it: that four-man Air Force team comprised of Frank (Clint Eastwood), Hawk (Tommy Lee Jones), Jerry (Donald Sutherland), & Tank (James Garner) given another chance to get up in space...this time as geriatrics!The whole key to whether or not you will enjoy this movie will be your ability to suspend disbelief. At it's core, this flick is about as hokey as anything ever made. If you don't like this type of film- making, don't even pick it up from the shelf. However, the film doesn't even take itself seriously (Eastwood, also the director/producer, knows he is making a romp), so if you can indeed suspend that disbelief, you'll likely enjoy it thoroughly.The acting in "Space Cowboys" is what really makes it sparkle. The quartet of Garner, Sutherland, and especially Jones & Eastwood have such great chemistry with each other that it is a joy to watch. They are thrown into some hilariously ridiculous situations, but they get through with a combination of wit, heart, and toughness. What the movie lacks in believe-ability, it more than makes up for in the acting department."Space Cowboys" also taps into the nostalgia for the space program, which will draw in a large audience of baby boomers in and of itself. Whereas other issues are joked about or played for laughs, running through the backbone of the whole experience is Eastwood's respect for space exploration and what it represents in our culture.Overall, "Space Cowboys" is one of those movies that you'll either love (if you can just have fun with it) or hate (if you try to take it too seriously). Rest assured, though, that the entire experience (as per Eastwood's incredible direction) is treated with respect, dignity, and features real-life characters that think and feel as we might. This flick won't go down as "one for the ages", but it is a remarkably engaging, multi-genre effort that can be tremendously enjoyed...if you can buy in, of course.

victordelavieter This is a joy of a movie. Light, very light amusement, but made but with pleasant enthusiasm and irony. Sure, the actors go overboard. When Donald Sutherland shows his fake fake-teeth, when Tommy Lee Jones' tears start to flow every time his wife is mentioned... gross. But hey, this is a feelgood movie and so what. Four egos, for lead actors, and still there seems to be real chemistry. A steady roll of jokes well told, ironic situations, soft spots exposed keeps the viewer amused while the big question is: will they go up in space? Cleverly plotted out, this story. Sure, drumming up befriended senior actors for action encores is becoming a formula in itself, but so what if done well. Where Clint Eastwood formally has the lead role, it is Tommy Lee Jones who gets the love interest. And Donald Sutherland gets the prize for most obvious flirts with the camera, Interestingly, Will Devane shows much character development is his role as the man from mission control, he outshines the main actors in the last part of the story. It even gets exciting up there in space. Well done. Incidentally, Chris Nolan's widely acclaimed mega-production Interstellar was showing on TV the evening I watched this. Why that movie is an 8,5 and this one a meager 5,5 I just don't understand...

Leofwine_draca SPACE COWBOYS is an astronaut picture with a simple premise: a quartet of old-timers are sent up into space to repair an old-fashioned satellite whose technology is so obsolete that they are the only ones who know how to fix it. Interest is piqued by the presence of Clint Eastwood, Tommy Lee Jones, Donald Sutherland, and Jim Garner in the cast, and the addition of Eastwood himself as director. How could the film be bad with all that talent behind it? The answer lies in the script. This is an oddly uninvolving story that's never quite sure what it wants to be. There's plenty of humour and the natural camaraderie between the old-timers works well; it's great to see these guys on the screen again. The attempts at high drama and action don't work so well, however, and there's never a real sense of danger coming from the predicament. The dated CGI effects don't help much either. This is better than GRAVITY, although not by much; somehow Hollywood seem to struggle a bit with making convincing astronaut movies.

Johan Dondokambey The story is so Clint Eastwood in nature, especially so when he is playing a role himself in it. It has the elements of old characters, military backgrounds, culture clashes, and some funny moments here and there. The movie nicely builds up the story at the first act for the first hour, being funny at every culture clash and pride of older generation meeting the younger people. But I feel that the second act's surprise twist, although very much predictable from the presence of the Russian general early on, is really unnecessary. The twist puts the focus to a shift from a somewhat funny story of old people to a story of doubted old people saving the world. The acting is a really great job in overall. Having Clint Eastwood at the lead role is a great choice for this kind of character background. Putting Tommy Lee Jones at his side builds up the story and character relations even better. The presence of Donald Sutherland and James Garner adds the complete angles for the character diversity. Ultimately having Marcia Gay Harden, James Cromwell and William Devane completes the story.