User reviews

This is a sequel, and it's better than most sequels. However, most sequels don't hold up against the original film and this one's no exception. The same cast is back and the acting is certain up to par in this film, but the impact of the story isn't there. I believe this film would have done fairly well had it not been a sequel, but the magic was gone, sorta like the magic from the pool in the first film. The cast does a good acting job and they try, they really do, but this film just doesn't cut the mustard (from whence came THAT expression?) as compared to the first film. I'm sorry, because I truly liked the first film. This is overall a very good film and nicely acted, written and executed. However, as I said, the magic from the first film is just missing because we knew pretty much what to expect. It's sad that few sequels are as good as the original.

Sequels are usually not as good as the original, unless the sequel happens to be called "Godfather II," so "Cocoon: The Return" is no exception. On the other hand, I didn't find it ghastly (though a few others on this board did). It has the same terrific cast, which includes Don Ameche, Jack Gilford, Maureen Stapleton, Gwen Verdon, with the addition of Elaine Strich in the old folks' department, and Tawnee Welch, Tyrone Power Jr., and Steve Guttenberg with the addition of a very young Courtney Cox in the young folks' department. Brian Dennehy makes a brief appearance at the end of the film.

The Anterians need to return to pick up some cocoons, so the old folks come back to catch up with friends and family, with some interesting results.

Another plot concerns scientists taking one of the cocoons and studying it, while the Anterians attempt to rescue it before it's too late.

The movie actually has some very sweet moments - it probably would have been lousy without the same cast, but they're all very likable.

Okay, not great, and anyone under 55 probably won't want to be bothered. By the way, I cried during some of it. Guess my age.

I had hesitated on watching this sequel because it good bad reviews, but I really enjoyed it. They had to come back for the cocoons, right? What makes this movie worthwhile is that all of the Seniors struggle with whether they want to leave Earth again. Immortality isn't all it's cracked up to be.

Completely lacking in originality, and even more in unpredictability, "The Return" gives one the feeling of 'déjà vu', as director Petrie sticks with the identical formula in order to guarantee success. This unfortunately also guarantees that we will get no inspiration from this sequel.

Yet in this light it is well filmed, with each character returning to fill us with the same emotions as the first "Cocoon" film. Stars Don Ameche, Wilford Brimley, Hume Cronyn, Jessica Tandy and Steve Gutenberg all return among others. James Horner's music is also back to enhance the mood. Never as good as the first, but never mind.

Sunday, May 24, 1992 - Video

After I enjoyed the first Cocoon so much I decided that the sequel could not be too bad. For the most part, the Cocoon: The Return remains a generally enjoyable film even if most of the magic remained in the original. In this one, the elderly friends return back to earth to catch up on everything that had missed out on while they were away. The biggest problem when they get back to earth is that all of the special protection from illness and aging that they had with the aliens eventually wears off, and if they don't get back to their planet with the aliens quickly, some of them may die. Overall, an enjoyable and harmless sequel to the original. If you liked the original you will most likely enjoy this sequel. ***1/2 out of *****.

Okay, I didn't listen to my better judgment and returned to this COCOON sequel. Ouch! To give you an idea of how wrongheaded this follow-up is, the opening ten minutes features a scene where an old man tries to commit suicide and it is played for laughs. So the old folks and the Anterians are back on earth. While the aliens try to save the cocoons with returning Steve Guttenberg, the old folks run around for a few days and find out they are old again on earth (but not before schooling some young punks on the basketball court). Everyone one from the original is back (lead alien Brian Dennehy only for a cameo though) with Courtney Cox the only major new addition as a young scientist who is studying one of the captured cocoons. The biggest problem with the film is it really has no reason to exist. Well, outside of making money of course. It is shot so blandly that it looks almost like a TV movie and the human drama, a major strength of the first film, is so un-subtle this time around. The film even ends with highlights from the first film over the end credits as if to say, "Hey, you remember the good time you had back then. Let's try and transfer some of that feeling over to this one." Yuck. Stick with the original film.

I was fascinated by the original Cocoon movie which had a real novel theme and succeeded in making most of us think of the value of old age, the struggles, aspirations and what would happen "if only they could". It was touchy, endearing and with real after thoughts generated out of the theme of aging.

But the return is nothing novel and nothing like the first. It is embarrassing at times. Jack is back with Kitty! Oh ma! We may have excused the innocence of the initial encounter but what is happening in this movie was from clumsy to simply unsophisticated. The pregnancy topic is a mediocre addition, there is an under developed story between the Grandpa and the grandson and overall, nothing really new happening we have not seen in or extrapolated from the first movie. The original cast of "oldies" stays more or less within character and if it was not for hem and actors like Jessica Tandy (Driving Miss Daisy, Fried Green Tomatoes, ...) I would have given an even worst grading.

In short, the magic was gone and it would have been best not to make a sequel.

This sequel was not needed, no one clamored for it, but the first one did quite well (76 million in 1985) so they just had to try to milk this franchise for another go. Though I hesitate to call this a franchise, more like a nice little first film and a very unneeded sequel that destroys everything in the first one. So the old gang is back to once again help their alien friends get those cocoons. What have they done in the time they have been gone you ask? Well do not ask, you get nothing about the aliens and their way of life. You do get to see that a one week trip back to earth makes them very cranky very quickly. You also get to find out on of them is pregnant, how wonderfully creepy. I mean seeing them act young and stuff in the first one was good and all, but this is a step or two to far. Then you have your very awkward scene of the girl that liked Steve Guttenberg in the first one not able to control herself in a crowded restaurant. So the highly advance race of aliens can not even control themselves in public? I mean she is not only acting very badly, she is exposing herself as an alien to a crowded room. Just a sequel that should not have been, I hate the ending with some of the elders staying to be with their daughter and grandson, then I guess they get to die and considering these aliens that live forever, most likely no god in this universe so they get to be worm food, but hey the grandson will have gotten to know his grandparents and attended their funeral. Such fun to be had here.

The old folks who left earth with the Antareans in Cocoon have decided to return with an Antarean mission to rescue another cocoon. The six couples from the previous film have three days to do their visiting with old friends and family.

As for the Antareans Courtney Cox looks up Steve Guttenberg who was so helpful in the last film that she's sure he'll be willing again. For a redblooded male like Guttenberg, Cox could convince me. But they're too late the cocoon has been taken from the ocean floor and a scientific institute has it now and they are sawing it open to get the living thing they saw with x-ray.

The first Cocoon movie was a wonderful fantasy that worked on our imaginations. The second is entertaining, but sadly comes off as a routine science fiction. And you better have watched the first because you won't understand the sequel.

Best in this film is Jack Gilford who stayed behind when the rest of his 60+ something friends went. He's still the same whiner and complainer, but there's an endearing quality to him.

I think most will like Cocoon: The Return. But leftovers aren't as good as the first meal.

As another reviewer pointed out, this movie retreat feels exactly like the moment in the first movie where all the life energy was sucked out of the life pool.

At least that moment was entirely accidental, the result of these oldsters innocently playing, completely unaware they were doing any harm at all.

That is not the case with this film. You get it, of course we are here to enjoy the movies, but the studios are in business, making movies to make money.

And that's fine of course, but the original movie was an emotional powerhouse. Going back to the same characters and actors, considering the theme of these movies, is just incredibly cheap and disheartening.

In a sequel, sure, you usually want to see the same characters again. Not here. The first movie had a bittersweet happy ending that needed to be honored. Here, it's all but tossed aside just to drag these same people through the same heartache.

This, of all sequels, really needed a new cast. Sure, one or two from the first, but not a depressing retread of the original.

An agreeable and heartwarming remake with a stunningly veteran cast make worthwhile seeing . The first outing concerned a group of trespassing seniors swim in a pool containing alien cocoons, they encounter themselves energized with youthful vigor and they immediately begin to feel happiness and strength. Five years since the senior citizens blasted off into space with the Antareans return to earth because their alien friends have to collect the rest of the cocoons in the ocean, believed to be in danger from an earthquake . As the seniors return to Earth to visit their relatives and friends at the Sunny Groves Rest home. Will they all decide to go back to the planet where no one grows old, or will they be tempted to stay back on Earth?.Art, Ben and Joe are back! So are their wives and good friend Bernie in their first adventure since their last! . Ben and Mary visit their family, while Art and Joe visit Bernie, who's still hangin' on. Art, Ben and Joe had forgotten what it was like on earth and immediately begin to feel their weaknesses. Don Ameche , Hume Cronyn and Wilford Brimley have winning days and their ladies Gwen Verdon , Jessica Tandy and Maureen Stapleton are nor far behind. Beyond the innocence of youth, and the wisdom of age, lies the wonder of... Cocoon ! . Cocoon have aliens !. It is everything you've dreamed of. It is nothing you expect !. Best friends are forever !.

Cocooon : the return (1988) by Daniel Petrie boasts a similar cast than previous entry : Wilford Brimley , Don Ameche , Hume Cronyn , Jessica Tandy , Don Ameche , Courtney Cox , Steve Guttenberg , in which our elderly protagonists undertake a journey to the most wonderful place in the universe... home and the Antareans return to earth because their alien friends have to collect the rest of the cocoons in the ocean, believed to be in danger from an earthquake . An old cast join to play this sweet and attractive film in which the old stagers return after the young alien contact . The plot deals with some aliens : Tahnee Welch , that seem to live more or less forever , returning to earth after a long absence to pick up crewmen they left in pods at the bottom of sea and threatened by a quake . Intelligent and charming portrayals of the sympathetic protagonists make this enjoyable trip just about worthwhile. All this takes rather a long while to get going and one could do with more of the hot-blooded antics of the elderly trio and the women who share their secret . Although the first hour or so is fairly tedious , but the latter stages are frankly well with some affecting and touching moments . Interpretations are uniformly good carried out by a Hollywood old-star-studded , such as Wilford Brimley , Hume Cronyn , Jack Gilford ,Maureen Stapleton , Jessica Tandy , Gwen Verdon and Don Ameche , all of them giving sympathetic acting who you'll enjoy . And others youngest , such as : Barret Oliver , Courtney Cox, Linda Harrison , Tahnee Welch, and Steve Guttenberg.

It contains a colorful and bright cinematography by cameraman Tak Fujimoto. Long-standing and sensitive soundtrack by James Horner combining synthesizer along with orchestral musical score . The motion picture well played by all-star-cast was professionally directed by Donald Petrie . He was a director and producer, who died in 2004 , known for El chico de la bahía (1984), A raisin in the sun (1961) , Mark Twain and Me (1991) , Kissinger and Nixon (1994) , Lassie (1995) , The Assistant (1997) , Inherit the Wind (1999) , among others . Rating : 6/10. Worthwhile seeing.

My first impression is why they did to return, why was the reason, for me it's didn't stay enough clear, instead it's against the concept idea in first one, considering or suppose there no answer this sequel absolutely no make sense at all, apart the missing Cocoon in the US's laboratory all remains is barely dramatization of the question returning or not, well besides the amazing casting has done again a good performance, however the movie never takes off.

Resume:

First watch: 1993 / How many: 3 / Source: TV-DVD / Rating: 6.

I found this movie to be an unexpected delight! It was engaging well written and executed, and it left me with a great feeling when it was over! What more could you ask for? Well how about the endearing performances, and chemistry between Hume Cronyn, and Jessica Tandy? Not to mention Don Ameche and Wilford Brimley. All together you have a fine film with many levels of warmth, and good humor. You'll love it! Watch and see!

The original Cocoon film is very good and has a strong conclusion that leaves your imagination run wild about the future lives of Art, Ben, Joe, Maureen, Alma and Bess. The only way a sequel would have satisfied me would have been if it showed them on Antarea in scenes of mind-blowing sci-fi wonderment.

Obviously the above was never going to happen so instead it retreads the original movie in a weaker story that meanders in a variety of directions. Certain aspects of the original formula like older characters acting with youth and vigour in situations that defy their age take focus again. Some of this is quite amusing but it lacks the mystery associated with the original. Conflicts about mortality vs immortality are repeated, with some character arcs u-turned. I think how you feel about this will impact your enjoyment of the film.

That being said it is great to see the central characters. Hume Cronyn and Jessica Tandy are magnificent together as always. Their scenes are a major high point and only the coldest heart could fail to be moved by them on screen.

Jack Gilford is great once more and his scenes with Elaine Stritch are another positive. The difficulty of his character attempting to move on from Rose's death has familiarity with situations I have observed in life.

Don Ameche, Gwen Verdon, Wilford Brimley, and Maureen Stapleton have arguably weaker material but make the most of it with effortlessly good performances.

Steve Guttenberg's love life is a subplot again in some quite ropey moments. The scene in the restaurant is the movie's low point for me, not far behind it is his dream sequence. Generally, the sci-fi elements are less impactful this second time round and strengthen the argument that a sequel was not justified.

The final act that involves a rescue mission with little thought applied by the writers. All the plot holes and contrivances are distracting, but try your best to suspend the disbelief as much as possible at the ineptitude of scientists and security guards. As much as I dislike the aforementioned dream sequence, it does connect nicely (yet predictably) to a fairly cinematic final moment.

Overall I think it is an inferior sequel, but is saved from total disaster by the quality of the veteran actors.

For me it's a 5.5/10, but I round upwards.

I understand you're going to want to rent Cocoon: The Return, but you won't like it. Ron Howard, the director of the original, didn't even want anything to do with it, believing that the whole message of the movie would be destroyed by a sequel. He was right. And while I'm sure the cast had a blast reuniting and showing off their youth, it absolutely had a different flavor to it.

Also, if you put even the slightest bit of thought into it, you'll find the script is riddled with holes. Rather than keeping up the integrity of the first movie, it turned into a series of caricatures. "Wow, those old geezers can beat a group of youngsters in basketball!" "Aw, he sure does love his wife - and she's really his wife!" "Family is the most important thing in the world."

Believe me, if you liked the way the first movie ended, you will not like the direction the second movie takes. Don Ameche, Wilford Brimley, Hume Cronyn, Jessica Tandy, Maureen Stapleton, and Gwen Verdon all return for a few days to visit their old nursing home in Florida. They check in on Jack Gilford, who's very glad to see them and thinks they're going to stay permanently. But they've only come with Tahnee Welch, Tyrone Power Jr. And Brian Dennehy (who you'll have to wait a very long time to see) to retrieve the rest of the cocoons from the bottom of the ocean. After that, they plan on leaving again.

In the meantime, though, they have fun with all they've missed the past five years: ice cream, driving, playing basketball, frolicking with babes in the ocean, and partying in nightclubs. Elaine Stritch joins the cast as a wild party girl who tries to get Jack out of his shell. Jessica develops a sudden, irrelevant love of foster children. Barret Oliver is a teenager having trouble playing baseball, and Wilford gives him advice and coaching. And Don pops champagne after finding out the unlikely reason why Gwen fainted in the middle of a clothing boutique. But when the drama cuts in, it's really lousy. And don't even get me started on Courtney Cox's character, a scientist who discovers one of the cocoons and isn't the least bit shocked or scared to discover what's inside it. After I watched it, I did my best to put it out of my mind and just focus on the original Cocoon. There's no topping it, and after this one, no one will every try to again.