Space Cowboys
Metascore
73 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 36 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 32 out of 36
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 36
  3. Negative: 0 out of 36
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  1. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Bob Graham
    100
    Best movie of the summer.
  2. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Dana Stevens
    90
    One of the best entertainments this season has yet offered.
  3. Time
    Reviewed by: Richard Corliss
    90
    It blends tension and emotion, computer wizardry and dramatic skill in a vigorous climax--and the most impressive, haunting final shot of the movie year.
  4. Chicago Tribune
    Reviewed by: Michael Wilmington
    88
    Ends up working like a charm.
  5. New York Post
    Reviewed by: Lou Lumenick
    88
    Expertly directed, acted and written crowd-pleaser.
  6. Philadelphia Inquirer
    Reviewed by: Steven Rea
    88
    An amiable mix of "Grumpy Old Men" comedy and "Apollo 13" can-we-fix-this-jalopy-before-we-die? Drama.
  7. L.A. Weekly
    Reviewed by: John Patterson
    80
    It's a rare pleasure to see these senior citizens given so much screen time, droopy butts and all.
  8. Village Voice
    Reviewed by: J. Hoberman
    80
    An entertainingly raffish action-comedy.
  9. Dallas Observer
    Reviewed by: Andy Klein
    80
    Eastwood provides more than an hour of easygoing fun, followed by 45 minutes of action and suspense.
  10. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Kenneth Turan
    80
    This is a mostly genial film that gets as much mileage as it can out of the undeniable charisma of its stars.
  11. Newsweek
    Reviewed by: David Ansen
    80
    The movie itself, like these guys, is defiantly old school -- confident, relaxed, professional.
  12. Slate
    Reviewed by: David Edelstein
    80
    It proves that male action stars can triumph not only over space but, more important, over time.
  13. Variety
    Reviewed by: Todd McCarthy
    80
    Good escapist entertainment, and the effect is ingratiating.
  14. Variety
    Reviewed by: Dennis Harvey
    80
    Good escapist entertainment, and the effect is ingratiating.
  15. Chicago Reader
    Reviewed by: Jonathan Rosenbaum
    80
    The special effects are beautifully handled and the reflections on death attractively peaceful.
  16. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Roger Ebert
    75
    The stuff in outer space is unexpected, the surprise waiting out there is genuine, and meanwhile, there's an abundance of charm and screen presence from the four veteran actors.
  17. Christian Science Monitor
    Reviewed by: David Sterritt
    75
    The story takes a while to get started, but the acting is lively, the special effects are snazzy.
  18. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: Jami Bernard
    75
    The joy of Space Cowboys is in spending quality time with some favorite old actors who obviously enjoy working together.
  19. San Francisco Examiner
    Reviewed by: Wesley Morris
    75
    From both sides of the camera, Eastwood works the crowd better than he has in years.
  20. USA Today
    Reviewed by: Mike Clark
    75
    Preposterous to the extreme.
  21. Baltimore Sun
    Reviewed by: Ann Hornaday
    75
    Arrives as a balm to seared adult psyches that have endured all manner of assaults at the multiplex this season.
  22. Seattle Post-Intelligencer
    Reviewed by: Sean Axmaker
    75
    I guess there's something grizzled old codgers like Clint can teach those young hotshots after all.
  23. Mr. Showbiz
    Reviewed by: Larry Terenzi
    74
    He's (Eastwood) made a mature film that bests nearly all of the summer's highly touted blockbusters for pure escapism.
  24. Rolling Stone
    Reviewed by: Peter Travers
    70
    The plot is too implausible to rank with "Unforgiven," but, oh, what a fun ride.
    All this critic's reviews
  25. Film.com
    Reviewed by: Peter Brunette
    70
    The filmmaker has given us two films for the price of one. Unfortunately, the second film, a gripping thriller which occupies the last 45 minutes of Space Cowboys, is much better and more involving than the first film.
  26. Austin Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Marjorie Baumgarten
    67
    A lighthearted action adventure starring four of the most likable guys on the planet.
  27. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Lisa Schwarzbaum
    67
    Poorly engineered: lurchingly paced, the dramatic conflicts duct taped together.
  28. Portland Oregonian
    Reviewed by: Kim Morgan
    67
    An affable, entertaining and poignant experience of the sort not normally afforded by space movies.
  29. TNT RoughCut
    Reviewed by: J. Rentilly
    65
    An enormously satisfying corndog of a movie.
  30. Miami Herald
    Reviewed by: Rene Rodriguez
    63
    Enjoyably preposterous, old-guys-are-cool-too plot.
  31. Boston Globe
    Reviewed by: Jay Carr
    63
    Space Cowboys does achieve liftoff.
  32. Charlotte Observer
    Reviewed by: Lawrence Toppman
    63
    The part that caters to older fans is funny and satisfying, if unbelievable. The part that plays to action-movie devotees is muddled, unsatisfying and unbelievable. Luckily, the first part is about two-thirds of the movie.
  33. Film.com
    Reviewed by: Sean Means
    60
    I really wish a younger man than Clint Eastwood had directed it.
  34. TV Guide
    Reviewed by: Maitland McDonagh
    50
    If only this amiable shaggy dog story...didn't degenerate into an implausible, second-rate thriller after takeoff.
  35. Salon.com
    Reviewed by: Andrew O'Hehir
    50
    Although his (Eastwood's) intentions are good, he simply isn't capable of the wry, wistful blend of humor and sadness this story desperately needs.
  36. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Rita Kempley
    50
    An implausible action adventure with the most geriatric payload since a community of retirees lifted off in "Cocoon."

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