My 407th Review: Space Cowboys

Rating: 5/10 (2 May 2011)

I saw this at the cinema when it came out and watched it again on TV when it comes round - though very good in places the overall effect for this viewer is barely passable. THe film is full of good performances and the comedy is excellent, but somehow the heroic, for this viewer, never gels, so by the end I wasn't truly caught up. I guess the fault lies in the romantic comedy syndrome: if you know he's going to get the girl how do you make the journey worthwhile; same problem here - I never, not for one second, believe that the oil drillers won't succeed.
The film is surprisingly by the numbers - with huge effects a crushingly loud soundtrack, and some fun, but all in all, it will never be anything other than a boy's own adventure in space. You know those you don't recognize from the beginning are in trouble, and the one you do will be the heroes, and so on.
All in all, barely passable way to turn the brain to porridge; a popcorn summer blockbuster that looks good and delivers just enough.