COCOON 2: THE RETURN

US, 1988, 116 minutes, Colour.
Don Ameche, Wilford Brimley, Courteney Cox, Jack Gilford, Hume Cronyn, Jessica Tandy, Steve Guttenburg, Brian Dennehy, Barret Oliver, Maureen Stapleton, Tahnee Welch, Tyrone Power Jr, Elaine Stritch, Linda Harrison.
Directed by Donald Petrie.

Cocoon 2: The Return, is a pleasant re-run of the original. However, it lacks something of the imagination and verve of the original.

All the cast from the original film return, Brian Dennehy having a cameo role at the end. The features which made the first film so pleasing have all been recapitulated: the old people, the expectation of some kind of immortality, Shangri-la in the galaxies. The stars have the opportunity to transcend their old age by some enjoyable trick photography and special effects, especially a basketball match won by the four old men.

The main new addition to the cast is Elaine Stritch who brings her extrovert vigour to the role. Direction is by Daniel Petrie.

1. The popularity of the first film, a re-ran in the sequel? Characters, fantasy? The theme of old age? A film for older audiences?

2. The Florida locations, homes, hotels, sports, ordinary day to day life? Science and the investigations? Credibility of the atmosphere?

3. Space travel, the cocoons, the range of the special effects, the ending?

4. The musical score, atmosphere, evocation?

5. The credibility of the plot, fantasy, audiences identifying with the characters, their longings? Possibilities of older people, self-image, age and illness, the promise of immortality? The return and the effect on each of those who came back? The effect on Barney and his not going with them in the beginning, his complaints? The effect on family, friends? Their having to think again their future? The consequences of their decisions?

6. The happy routines, their going out, dinners, friends, the basketball match, the dances? Effect on Barney? The importance of the mission for rescuing the cocoons? Their participation? The rescue?

7. Don Ameche and Gwen-Verdon: Ameche's original Oscar-winning performance, Verdon as a dancer? The love for each other, cheerful, helping others, the pregnancy, the return? The hopes for their child?

8. Maureen Stapleton and Wilford Brimley: the grandparents returning, the effect on their daughter, on their grandson and his being glad to see them, sharing in family life, feeling at home, the decision to stay?

9. Jessica Tandy and Hume Cronyn: enjoying their return, the illness, the diagnosis, the death? Jessica Tandy and the children, her feeling at home with the children, being asked to do a job, her wanting to stay? A decision to stay?

10. Steve Gutenberg and his cheerfulness, the sales, the boats? Confidence man? His shop and his partner? His being glad to see the Antereans again, his helping, the prophecy, his meeting the research scientist, falling in love with her?

11. The cocoon and the creature, being observed, its physical form, decline, scientists and their observations and concerns, the rescue party, the help?

12. The film's themes of science, observation, aliens, probes?

13. Barney and his complaints, continually moaning, selfish, voicing the anguish? His friendship with the woman at the hotel, her raucous style and strength? Bonds between the two? The visitors telling bin the truth about himself?

14. The woman from the hotel, extrovert and friendly, strong, too strong for Barney, helping?

15. The Antereans and their mission, their leader, the return? A fairy tale for old age?