| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Clint Eastwood | ... | ||
| Tommy Lee Jones | ... | ||
| Donald Sutherland | ... | ||
| James Garner | ... | ||
| James Cromwell | ... | ||
| Marcia Gay Harden | ... | ||
| William Devane | ... | ||
| Loren Dean | ... | ||
| Courtney B. Vance | ... | ||
| Barbara Babcock | ... | ||
| Rade Serbedzija | ... |
General Vostov
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| Blair Brown | ... |
Dr. Anne Caruthers
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| Jay Leno | ... | ||
| Nils Allen Stewart | ... | ||
| Deborah Jolly | ... |
Cocktail Waitress
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When a Russian satellite orbiting the Earth starts to veer off course. It seems like the guidance system in the satellite is of American origin. It's important to try and fix it before it comes into the atmosphere. The NASA man, Bob Gerson tries to find out who designed it and discovers that it was designed by Frank Corvin, an Air Force pilot who 40 years ago was part of the team who was originally suppose to go to space but when NASA was formed and Gerson's influence they were dropped. Gerson asks Frank to help but Frank still holds a grudge. But after some prodding he agrees but only if he and his team can go there so he can fix it. Gerson reluctantly agrees so Frank recruits his former team members, Tank Sullivan, Jerry O'Neill and Hawk Hawkins to join him. After some strenuous tests, they're cleared. And they go up with two other astronauts and check out the satellite and discover that they weren't told the whole truth. Written by [email protected]
This was a pretty enjoyable tale of "The Ripe Stuff," four old geezers going up into space to help save a project they had a hand in years ago. It's pretty long at 130 minutes but the four diverse characters help keep your interest. Clint Eastwood, Tommy Lee Jones, Donald Sutherland and James Garner are quite a foursome. Add Marcia Gay Harden to the mix, along with Loren Dean, Courtney Vance and James Cromwell and you have a fabulous cast.
This is a drama but one in which there is a fair amount of comedy and some romance. There are some Hollywood clichés (a suspect boss, arguing pals going back-and-forth all the time, a weak minister, etc.) but they aren't as blatant as usual.
The storytelling is pretty good but the real show here is not the story but that group of veteran actors. One joke was overplayed: Sutherland and the size of genitals. Not real classy stuff but, overall, the movie is fine. Definitely a rental, at the least.