Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		3.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		1.5
Overall		3.5

Space Cowboys Blu-ray Movie Review

I don't need no rocking chair.

Reviewed by Martin Liebman October 8, 2008

I can't fill up a space shuttle with geriatrics!

Space. The final frontier. This is the voyage of four old-timers who finally fulfill their lifelong ambitions some 42 years after their dream of traveling into space was superseded by politics and a chimp named Mary Ann. They were the best of the best, the bravest of the brave, and the craziest of the crazy. Flying experimental aircraft miles above the Earth at breakneck speeds on nothing but a fuselage, a wing, and a prayer, these pioneers of the sky risked their lives for the love of flight, the love of speed, the love of country, and someday hoped to immortalize themselves alongside the most heralded of American trailblazers. Space Cowboys is real American movie, a movie about the American spirit, work ethic, determination, camaraderie, and hope. It is a story of aspirations fulfilled, of friendships rekindled, and of self-discovery in the twilight of life through others and in places most only dream of. Space Cowboys is more than a drama with comedic elements; it's a movie that explores the soul, the meaning of life, and shows that age is just a number. Life comes and goes, it knocks you down and picks you up, and like a good old fashioned cowboy, whether planted face-first on the Texas soil or floating in the vastness and vacuum of space, a quick dust-off and a tip of the hat is all it takes to keep on going.

'Space Cowboys' demonstrates that, regardless of age, these four have The Right Stuff.

When a Russian communication satellite begins losing altitude and is danger of plummeting to the Earth, NASA offers a helping hand in the name of international relations. Despite the appearance that the Russians may not be sharing everything with their American counterparts, like how an American-made guidance system ended up in one of her satellites during the Cold War, the decision is made to send a space shuttle to repair the aging bird. Former test pilot and astronaut hopeful Frank Corvin (Clint Eastwood, The Gauntlet), the brains behind the then-groundbreaking guidance system, is called upon to offer his insights. He comes back with a counter-proposal: send him and his former team Daedalus into space to fix it. A good idea in theory, but will this aged group of has-beens be up for it? When project director Bob Gerson (James Cromwell, L.A. Confidential) relents and allows team Daedalus to undertake the mission, Corvin rounds up his team: pilot Hawk Hawkins (Tommy Lee Jones, No Country For Old Men), navigator Tank Sullivan (James Garner, Maverick), and engineer Jerry O'Neill (Donald Sutherland, Fool's Gold). They must put their pasts behind them, train like they were 40 years younger, and learn to fly a modern shuttle -- in only a month.

Space Cowboys is a lighthearted, feel-good movie that does absolutely everything right. First and foremost, the movie is entertaining and enthralling, with a captivating, easygoing story line that never bogs itself down with unnecessary exposition or dialogue. It does nothing but set up important themes, create a backdrop for the characters, throw in a bit of comedy, and ensure that there is an important arc and tension to make the movie worthwhile in the third act. It covers the basics of storytelling, and nothing more, but it embraces the basics and runs with them, and the end result is a full, satisfying experience that is a crowd-pleaser first, but also a vehicle for inspiration to all audience members, young and old alike. For the young, it is a message emphasizing the importance of the dream, the embracing of an idea -- a wish -- and never letting go. For the older audience members, Space Cowboys is a reminder that life is what you make of it, that the soul never wrinkles, fades, or dies. Director Clint Eastwood effortlessly captures the spirit of the film, but for all the charm of the script and the interesting story, his lead actors, himself included, are the foundation upon which Space Cowboys is built.

Each of the quartet of Space Cowboys brings a little something different to the table and each represents differing traits and takes on the aging process and on the meaning of life. They are well-drawn and equally well-played characters and are easy to sympathize with and audiences will quickly become attached thanks to their charisma, charm, determination, and the bond shared between them that has stretched thin over the years but bounces back with authority as the quartet once again become a single whole. Frank Corvin is the clear leader but also the most chaotic of the group at the same time. He carries a short fuse which is offset by his technical know-how, leadership skills, and understanding of his environment and the people around him. Things will be done his way or not at all, and he knows that only his way will work. Hawk Hawkins is the most levelheaded of the group. He takes everything in stride, remains steadfast and stalwart in the toughest of times, is sure of himself, and is the bravest of the quartet. He's been through more than the rest and provides the courage and strongest heart among the Space Cowboys. Jerry O'Neil is the member who remains young at heart. Always on the prowl for a new, young woman, he wears his heart on his sleeve and refuses to allow Father Time to slow him down. Finally, Tank Sullivan is the heart and soul of the group. A Baptist minister by trade, Tank is the quiet spiritual leader of the group, and the least of the group physically. These characters make the film. The story fits around them, not vice versa. These are four legendary actors at the top of their game who turn a decent idea into a fine film with four memorable characters.

Space Cowboys Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Space Cowboys orbits the shiny, round Blu-ray disc it finds itself on with a 1080p, 2.35:1-framed transfer. Starting with a black and white image that seems to have a blue push to it, the film's opening sequence set during the prime of our quartet's lives holds up nicely with decent depth and detail. As the film shifts to color and the present day, the transfer remains solid, but comes off as somewhat unspectacular at the same time. Grain is present over parts of the image. Colors are neither strong nor weak, appearing fairly average in every scene. This gives the movie a somewhat natural tone and appearance, which works nicely with the material. The transfer is not too sharp but not lacking in any one area, either. It is soft in some places, crisp in others, but generally finds a pleasing balance that won't inspire any awe but won't disappoint, either. Black levels are solid, and detail is moderately good. In chapter 5, as Corvin, in his home, is briefed regarding the malfunctioning satellite, the various foreground trinkets seen around the kitchen and living room appear mostly sharp. Backgrounds are a bit soft and out of focus, but the scene offers some nice dimensionality and life. The print exhibits a few minor blemishes along the way in the form of black speckles and pops. Detail on human faces, the intricacies of the shuttle's bay section as we see it opened in space, or the smallest nuances on the time-worn Cold-War Soviet satellite is impressive. Flesh tones appear with a hint of rosiness about them. Space Cowboys is neither a stellar visual feast nor a disappointing experience, either. It falls somewhere in a happy middle ground that should satisfy the majority of viewers.

Space Cowboys Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Space Cowboys launches onto Blu-ray with a solid Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack. Unfortunately, no lossless option is included, but the available track is no slouch. The opening moments of the film, featuring a test flight, showcases some fine directionality as the experimental craft zooms around the soundstage. Bass is heard in abundance in such scenes, and the effect is seamless. Even in the quieter scenes on the ground, listeners can hear the random insect chirping around in the rear channels to create a realistic environment. Radio chatter and effects are clear, and dialogue is rendered well in these early scenes. Other ear-catching moments are included, too, such as a roller coaster scene in chapter 8 that is not as engaging or prominent as the sequence that opened the film, but it serves listeners well enough with a slight rumbling and decent surround presence as the coaster makes its way along its windy track. Also of note is the sheer power of the space shuttle launch sequence as heard in chapter 24. In fact, there are several instances throughout where the soundstage comes alive with various niceties that spread out well all around and offer enjoyable, engaging listens. The track sometimes creates a nice, semi-realistic atmosphere, exemplified by a bar scene in chapter 18; music, chatter, the clanking of glasses, and the shooting of pool balls all meld together to help make one of the better sequences in the film, sonically. Space Cowboys offers a well-balanced track. The film is primarily dialogue driven, but it excels in the various sequences that call for increased sonic presence. The absence of a lossless soundtrack is an unfortunate omission from this release, but listeners are treated to one of the better lossy soundtracks out there nevertheless.

Space Cowboys Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Space Cowboys orbits onto Blu-ray with a decent but mostly forgettable supplemental package. Back at the Ranch (480p, 28:10) features the film's stars discussing the varied aspects of the production, the experience of making the film and working with their co-stars and the crew, all intertwined with footage from the film and numerous behind-the-scenes video clips. The Effects (480p, 7:10) features interview footage with Visual Effects Supervisor Michael Owens as he and others take us through some of the effects sequences and props as seen in the film, again intercut with lengthy sequences from the film. The brief segment describing the space suits utilized for the film proves the best segment of the feature, and of the entire supplemental package. Up Close With the Editor (480p, 7:04) is another interview segment, this time with editor Joel Cox, and this one stays in line with the previous features by tossing in lengthy segments from the film. Tonight on Leno (480p, 11:39) is an extended cut of the Jay Leno sequence from the film. The film's theatrical trailer (480p, 2:21) is the final supplement to be found on this disc.

Space Cowboys Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Space Cowboys is an uplifting and entertaining drama with comedic elements that offers a solid pace and a group of actors who work incredibly well together. One of the finer quartets of stars assembled for a project, the camaraderie they share, the energy they exude, and the distinct personalities they bring to their characters is the true standout aspect of the picture. With a good story, fine visuals, a few laughs, and offering a heartwarming and inspiring outlook on life to back them up, Space Cowboys is family-friendly moviemaking done right. Warner Brothers' Blu-ray release of this film is adequate. Featuring a good soundtrack, despite the lack of a high definition option, decent picture quality, and a few watchable bonus materials, fans will want to make a place in their collections for this film. Recommended.