I was three years old when this movie was released. In the 16 months I’ve done this column, I’ve tried to stay away from movies everyone knows too well. I did do a few “Star Wars” movies and many selections
I was three years old when this movie was released. In the 16 months I’ve done this column, I’ve tried to stay away from movies everyone knows too well. I did do a few “Star Wars” movies and many selections have been classics; but I had a goal to steer clear of “The Godfather,” “Back to the Future” or “Jaws.” However, “E.T.” is a movie I wanted to write about to bring us back to the innocence of humanity. Upon every viewing of this film, the kid in you will come out. What makes this film special is that it’s the pinnacle of famed Director Steven Spielberg’s filmmaking adolescence. The director made this film to deal with his childhood issues of his parent’s divorce.
The lead character, Elliot (Henry Thomas), is a lonely young boy and he stumbles upon a new friend: “E.T.” (the Extra-Terrestrial). E.T. represents Spielberg’s imagination run wild. His obsession with Sci-Fi movies and his ability to bring out a loneliness in young actor Henry Thomas really struck a chord with audiences. Whether you love the Oscar-winning score (by John Williams, who also scored “Star Wars,” “Superman,” “Indiana Jones” and “Jaws”) or the story, there is something that Spielberg was trying to and did say: ultimately, we are all lonely. E.T. represents that even if there is life on other planets, we’re all one. The friendship formed between the boy and alien is nothing less then a beautifully told story.
Of course the film became a ride at Universal studios, in the ‘80s E.T. was a Halloween costume and this movie launched a little candy named Reese’s Pieces. Then unknown, the film sent the candy’s stock into the billions. As we approach the 30-year anniversary and you notice this film as more then a cash cow or marketing ploy, it truly holds as a classic. The real treat for viewers is Drew Barrymore (age 5 or 6). She is wonderful as Gurty. She is absolutely adorable and brings to screen one of cinema’s most renowned scenes. When she meets “E.T.,” it is priceless.
The film would gross mega-gazillions at the box-office and in my opinion is one of Spielberg’s top 5 films. It came at a time he was still telling personal stories. He had creative control, but his films weren’t epic in scope like they’d be after the “Indiana Jones” movies. Today, Spielberg movies have to be over-sized, the story seems to never end or the point is missed. I’d never knock one of America’s greatest film directors, but I like his work before he had his own studio. The power Spielberg has seems to have changed the child-like innocence his films had. I’m not one to judge; it would probably happen to any artist. I’m just presenting you movie lovers some facts. If you haven’t seen it, watch it. If you’ve seen it before, take another look. Remember, sometimes all of us just want to “Phone Home.”
Year: 1982
Studio: Universal
Director: Steven Spielberg
Starring: Henry Thomas, Drew Barrymore
Oscars: 9 nominations (4 wins)
1. A.I.
2. War of the Worlds
3. Close Encounters of the Third Kind
4. Schindler’s List
5. Saving Private Ryan
6. The Sugarland Express
7. Duel
8. Minority Report
9. The Terminal
10. Catch Me If You Can
