Twenty years ago, when this movie was first released, I was eleven years old. Although I was old enough to go to the movies, I was too young to care. As I grew older, I began looking at “ET” as a kids movie and felt I was too old to watch it. Then, as an adult, it became interesting to be the only person that never saw it. So, here we are 20 years later and I’m watching “ET” for the first time.
I imagine everyone reading this review has already seen “ET”, so I won’t worry about giving away movie details. To start with, I don’t think this movie would be anywhere near as successful if it was released today. To me, it was nothing more than an average Sci-Fi movie. …as many of you sigh in disagreement. Just remember, I’m watching “ET” for the first time and I don’t have any nostalgic feelings to cloud my judgment.
Does anyone really think a child who just saw an alien (or a goblin, as they called it) would sit outside, in the dark, waiting for it to return? In reality, Elliot would never have gone in the back yard again, spent 3 days a week in therapy, and nights hiding under the bed. As for the acting, I thought Drew Barrymore (Gertie) was wonderful, but all of the other kids (including Elliot) were less than spectacular. That may sound harsh, but if “ET” is going to be re-released in 2002, it needs to hold up to today’s standards set by Haley Joel Osment. Can someone explain the need for the five bike escort to get ET back to his ship? While being chased by the cops, you can hear one of the kids say “Let’s split up.” Yeah, maybe that will work since they really want all of you and not just the kid with an alien in a box. My guess is that the climax would have been too dull without five bikes jumping and skidding, or maybe ET was just the first to have a posse.
I’m sure if I would have watched “ET” when I was eleven, I would still love it today. But, I didn’t. Instead, I have the opportunity to provide a fresh look on a newly released movie. The most touching scene in the movie was supposed to be when ET was saying his goodbyes and preparing to head for home. Instead of feeling emotional, my eyes were as dry as they are at the height of allergy season and all I could think was “get the h**l on the ship.” |
