Review of E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982) by Cameron H — 07 Apr 2016

Am I forever cursed by the cynicism of a young adult who grew up in two generations past the prime celebration of E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial? With countless parodies, rip-offs, satirical twists, and parodies/rip-offs of the first three, it took a while before I faced the fact that I did not know what the original alien was like.

I faced intelligent life, and honestly, I feel good. Granted, MANY elements were too sentimental, predictable, or inexplicable for my taste. For example, I can't wrap my head around why E.T. went to Earth.

His kind was there for, like, two minutes, before they left him on Earth. The twist is simply not a twist, for anyone who watched any children's movie past E.T. And what baffled me the most is how the connection between E.

T. and Elliott (Henry Thomas), as sweet as it was, completely obliterated other characters' motives. I am not representative of Spielberg's intended demographic, and once I accepted that, I could admit to myself and those reading this that I liked E.

T. as a movie experience. The kids weren't irritating. In fact, I really liked the little sister, surprisingly played by a young Drew Barrymore. E.T.'s relationship with the world amused me as well, in his reaction to TV programs and potato salad.

The metaphysical connection that linked E.T.'s brain waves with Elliott's was an interesting idea to explain their attachment towards one another. And yeah, I like it when E.T. speaks and uses his alien magic.

I wasn't bored, nor was I surprised. E.T. served as a needed placeholder for a popular children's movie, as Disney was very unreliable at the time. Besides, Spielberg did not succumb to every single trope.

The "bad guy," a man from the FBI, was an alien enthusiast who showed great compassion towards Elliott. Special effects and a John Williams score help too. I liked E.T.'s anthropomorphic, but surely out-of-this-world, frail design and bone-stretching animation.

Overall, this is way too difficult to shoot down from a bike in the sky. Only the most cynical people will not be able to stomach any part of E.T., but getting past familiar story elements and directorial techniques, I believe that the film offers a good, heartwarming time.