Review of Space Cowboys

Introduction

Space Cowboys has been widely mocked as an “old gits in space” movie, starring the aged Clint Eastwood, James Garner and Donald Sutherland and the somewhat younger Tommy Lee Jones.

In brief, the four formed the Daedalus team training for the first space flights, but were dropped after a series of crashes. 40 years later, a Russian communications satellite orbiting with a stolen guidance system that the team designed is de-orbiting and is in danger of crashing back into earth.

The team is briskly reassembled and begins training for a space shuttle mission – the objective being to fix the guidance system and save the satellite.

Video

Video comes in 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen and is very good throughout the movie. The image is very crisp and detailed, with no dirt or compression problems in sight. The only “problem” is a slight variation in contrast during one scene.

Visually the film is excellent, with several fantastic effect sequences and an overall quality feel to the production. The opening sequence shows a test flight taking place 40 years ago and looks very good. The scenes of the shuttle orbiting are particularly impressive, with the NASA set up also looking very authentic.

Audio

Like the video, the sound in “Space Cowboys” is very good, with good use made of the available channels for sound effects and atmospheric effects. Of particular note are the numerous flypast/overfly scenes which all sound great and are a good way to impress those unfamiliar with a Dolby Digital system!

Most of the action scenes make very good use of the soundstage, but despite this, the dialogue is always precise and understandable.

Features

The disc has several extras, which include four behind-the-scenes documentaries including a look at effects, the Jay Leno show sequence, editor interview, on location footage etc. There’s no director’s commentary though – it would have been nice to hear what Clint Eastwood had to say during the film.

Other extras include a trailer, bios and several DVD-ROM features including “Space Shuttle Challenge”, website links and trailers.

The disc is packaged in Warner’s usual snapper case, which details the chapter breaks.

Conclusion

Overall, despite coming recommended by a friend who lent me the disc, Space Cowboys was a disappointment. There’s nothing wrong with the film, it’s just not especially exciting and really is a rehash of the vastly superior Armageddon – there are just too many similarities for comfort.

The cast are good, but the age differential between Jones and Eastwood, Garner and Sutherland makes it impossible to believe that they are supposed to be the same age! Garner in particular looks ancient and the thought of him undergoing training for space travel is hilarious! Even though I am a big Eastwood fan, he needs to retire and stop making ego-boosting movies!

The main problem is a real lack of tension or excitement – Armageddon managed to instil some feelings for the cast, Space Cowboys doesn’t so I was left not really caring about the eventual outcome. Similarly whilst the effects scenes were superbly made, they weren’t especially gripping and rely too heavily on spectacle.

As far as the DVD goes, the visuals and sound are excellent and there is a reasonable collection of extra material.

With the Region 2 DVD scheduled for release next week, I suggest that you rent it rather than buy either version to avoid disappointment.