Published at: Aug. 4, 2000, 4:56 a.m. CST by staff
El Cosmico here, with my recommendation to the lot of you for this weekend's viewing...
As with every weekend, many people find themselves asking..."What's the best flick to see this weekend?" Often, the question is more accurately, "Is there anything showing this weekend that doesn't suck?"
Well, yes, there most definintely is. If you're hankering for a good excuse to plop your patootie in a theatre seat, you won't find a better reason this weekend than Space Cowboys.
I mean, Clint Eastwood, Tommy Lee Jones, James Garner, and Donald Sutherland, all in the same film. Do you need to know more? These guys have been in enough films to dodge the crap by now...and Space Cowboys is a fine example of just how damned excellent a bunch of actors can get.
It's been a good long while since I laughed so much at such well written and performed humor. But, Space Cowboys is sort of like two films. One, which occupies the first hour or so, takes place on the ground, and is one of the best comedies you'll see anywhere. The other part of Space Cowboys takes place in space (surprise!), is well-shot, with excellent effects work, and is, well, more dramatic. So, you might find yourself a bit emotionally confused...but only slightly. No, it's not one of the greatest films of all time, but as I think about the year so far, it may very well make my top ten of 2000. Ultimately, what's important to me here is that I enjoy the act of watching the film. Maybe not genius plot development, maybe not a believable story, but really fun to watch.
Space Cowboys is incredibly easy to enjoy, and flows along in a thoroughly satisfying manner. Tons of witty humor, delivered with great skill and ease. All this, and cool space scenes too. In other words, these guys know what they're doing. You ought to go check it out.
