Cocoon (1985)

When visitors from a distant galaxy return to Earth on a secret mission, their other worldly power to rejuvenate afford a group of senior citizens an opportunity to recapture their youth. Directed by Ron Howard (APOLLO 13). When I first saw this film during its original 1985 release, I found it delightful. While I still enjoy the movie (though somewhat less), now that I'm around the same age as the seniors in the movie, I found it rather condescending. The film's idea of senior citizens recapturing their "youth" is acting like children (riding a tricycle. tossing a ball in a sporting goods store, playing tag etc.). No, thank you. It has a terrific cast of older actors including Jessica Tandy, Hume Cronyn, Maureen Stapleton, Gwen Verdon, Jack Gilford, Wilford Brimley and in an undeserved Oscar winning performance, Don Ameche. Howard does manage to whip up an exciting finale. The film was a big hit and spawned a sequel, the dreadful COCOON: THE RETURN three years later. With Brian Dennehy, Steve Guttenberg, Tahnee Welch (Raquel's daughter), Herta Ware, Linda Harrison and Oliver Barrett.