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Review

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial

Director

Steven Spielberg

Year

1982

Rating

Reviewed by

Gon Curiel a.k.a. Groucho

Review date

Friday, March 22, 2002

An Extra-Terrestrial from outer space is accidentally left on Earth by his people after a visit to our planet. The abandoned alien, of whom the government has knowledge, then finds shelter in the home of little Elliot (Henry Thomas), who shares the secret with his teenage brother Michael (Robert MacNaughton) and his little sister Gertie (Drew Barrymore). E.T. and Elliot connect in an internal level, and as one being split in two bodies live the odyssey of hiding from adults, calling home, and eventually facing death in a world mostly populated by enemies.

Winning masterpiece by Steven Spielberg is arguably his greatest film from the 80s, featuring a fictional main character that gets more and more real as the story flows. Told and seen from the point of view of Elliot, this film masterfully expresses the inner thoughts and feelings of a child, their ingenuity, their fears and their frustration when misunderstood by adults. The use of lighting and photography is unique and continuously genius, adding a lot to the story’s intensity.

Some scenes, including Elliot’s heroic moments at school and the bicycle chase are unforgettable.

Featuring one of John William’s great scores and very honest performances by all (including Dee Wallace as Elliot’s mother), this is a must, now as always; the shot of the moon behind the flying bikers is a classic itself.

“E.T. phone home…”

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