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Year One
Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed movies.
Space Cowboys
Generally favorable reviews
Based on 36 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 11 votes
Read user comments
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Movie Info
Genre(s): Suspense/Thriller
Written by:
Ken Kaufman
Howard Klausner
Directed by: Clint Eastwood
Release Date:
Theatrical: August 4, 2000
DVD: April 17, 2001
Running Time: 130 minutes, Color
Origin: USA
Summary
RATING: PG-13 for some language
Starring Clint Eastwood, Tommy Lee Jones, James Garner, Donald Sutherland, and James Cromwell
In the 1950's, one of the first satellites was launched. Today, it is malfunctioning and threatening the Earth, and the original astronaut (Eastwood) is asked to go and do repairs. He wants three old air force buddies to go with him into space for the last time and fix it.
Also On Metacritic
FILM: Absolute Power Bird Blood Work Changeling Flags of Our Fathers Letters from Iwo Jima Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil Million Dollar Baby Mystic River The Bridges of Madison County True Crime Unforgiven
Also On The Web: Internet Movie Database Official Studio Site
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
The New York Times Dana Stevens
One of the best entertainments this season has yet offered.
Read Full Review >Time Richard Corliss
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.
Read Full Review >Philadelphia Inquirer Steven Rea
An amiable mix of "Grumpy Old Men" comedy and "Apollo 13" can-we-fix-this-jalopy-before-we-die? Drama.
Read Full Review >Los Angeles Times Kenneth Turan
This is a mostly genial film that gets as much mileage as it can out of the undeniable charisma of its stars.
Read Full Review >Dallas Observer Andy Klein
Eastwood provides more than an hour of easygoing fun, followed by 45 minutes of action and suspense.
Read Full Review >Slate David Edelstein
It proves that male action stars can triumph not only over space but, more important, over time.
Read Full Review >Chicago Reader Jonathan Rosenbaum
The special effects are beautifully handled and the reflections on death attractively peaceful.
Read Full Review >Newsweek David Ansen
The movie itself, like these guys, is defiantly old school -- confident, relaxed, professional.
Read Full Review >Variety Todd McCarthy
Good escapist entertainment, and the effect is ingratiating.
Read Full Review >Variety Dennis Harvey
Good escapist entertainment, and the effect is ingratiating.
Read Full Review >LA Weekly John Patterson
It's a rare pleasure to see these senior citizens given so much screen time, droopy butts and all.
Read Full Review >Baltimore Sun Ann Hornaday
Arrives as a balm to seared adult psyches that have endured all manner of assaults at the multiplex this season.
Read Full Review >Seattle Post-Intelligencer Sean Axmaker
I guess there's something grizzled old codgers like Clint can teach those young hotshots after all.
Read Full Review >Christian Science Monitor David Sterritt
The story takes a while to get started, but the acting is lively, the special effects are snazzy.
Read Full Review >San Francisco Examiner Wesley Morris
From both sides of the camera, Eastwood works the crowd better than he has in years.
Read Full Review >Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert
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.
Read Full Review >New York Daily News Jami Bernard
The joy of Space Cowboys is in spending quality time with some favorite old actors who obviously enjoy working together.
Read Full Review >Mr. Showbiz Larry Terenzi
He's (Eastwood) made a mature film that bests nearly all of the summer's highly touted blockbusters for pure escapism.
Read Full Review >Film.com Peter Brunette
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.
Read Full Review >Rolling Stone Peter Travers
The plot is too implausible to rank with "Unforgiven," but, oh, what a fun ride.
Austin Chronicle Marjorie Baumgarten
A lighthearted action adventure starring four of the most likable guys on the planet.
Read Full Review >Entertainment Weekly Lisa Schwarzbaum
Poorly engineered: lurchingly paced, the dramatic conflicts duct taped together.
Read Full Review >Portland Oregonian Kim Morgan
An affable, entertaining and poignant experience of the sort not normally afforded by space movies.
Read Full Review >Charlotte Observer Lawrence Toppman
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.
Read Full Review >Film.com Sean Means
I really wish a younger man than Clint Eastwood had directed it.
Read Full Review >Salon.com Andrew O'Hehir
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.
Read Full Review >TV Guide Maitland McDonagh
If only this amiable shaggy dog story...didn't degenerate into an implausible, second-rate thriller after takeoff.
Read Full Review >Washington Post Rita Kempley
An implausible action adventure with the most geriatric payload since a community of retirees lifted off in "Cocoon."
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this movie is 5.6 (out of 10) based on 11 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
[Anonymous] gave it an8:
Humorously portrays these old veterans of the movie industry as heroes, proving one again to the young how it's all done. Surprisingly, these old-timers still have a thing or two to show us yet.
Steve H. gave it a4:
Four old actors are brought together to fill out a plot that should have been destroyed many years before. If you get teary and nostalgic when drunk, this is the film for you. Otherwise avoid it.
Pat C. gave it a 5:
I like the actors, and in this outing their interaction was generally stimulating. Overall though, the movie was just a little too dumbed down.
Phillip P. gave it a 10:
Despite what other say, I think that this movie was filled with suspense - the nervous Russian general, the overwhelming first view of the nuclear missiles, and the scene where Frank [Tommy Lee Jones] ...(final scene spoiler deleted)...
Yoon C. gave it a 7:
Routine Eastwood vehicle is enjoyable enough. It's easy to forgive, what with old-timers giving their best and having some fun. Most pleasant of all is its laidback pacing and classic storytelling with enough breathing space for modicum of character and plot development; contrast that to most recent action films which zoom forward nonstop like a roller coaster. Honorable but none too memorable either.
David C. gave it a 4:
Some humor, just seemed too "hollywood" though. It was a cookie cutter movie that didn't provide any new provacative storyline. Donald Sutherland was stellar though.
Josie P. gave it a 7:
Mildly entertaining, good-hearted, and not too bogged down with technology.
