Director – Steven Spielberg (Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Jurassic Park)
Starring – Henry Thomas (Gangs of New York, Doctor Sleep), Drew Barrymore (Firestarter, Waxwork II: Lost in Time), and Peter Coyote (The Twilight Zone, The Legend of Billie Jean)
Release Date – 1982
Rating – 4/5
UHD Release – 4.5/5
It’s almost daily that I find myself surprised by what shows up for me to review in the mail. What really catches me off guard the most is when I receive non-horror titles for review considering the site is horrorsociety.com along with films that I consider timeless classics. Movies like George A. Romero’s Night of the Living Dead, Fright Night, Universal’s monster movies, and so on.
Recently, I shared a press release for the UHD release of Steven Spielberg’s E.T.: The Extraterrestrial. This film is fucking legendary. It may not be a horror title but it does borrow from the genre and inspired countless filmmakers to pick up a camera. It had been at least 20 some odd years since I last watched this one so I would looking forward to revisiting it.
**Spoiler Alert** The film follows Elliott who is a bit of the black sheep of his family. His father left him sometime back and he lives with his older brother, little sister, and single mother in California suburbia. One night he finds something out of this world and lovingly named him E.T. He soon introduces the otherworldly visitor to his brother and sister but their secret is not kept for long after E.T. becomes ill and the government gets involved. **Spoiler Alert**
E.T.: The Extraterrestrial was not the first film of it’s kind but it is one of the best films of it’s kind. Way before this film’s release there was other horror and sci-fi flicks following kids or teenagers who find something strange and try to keep it a secret, but it seems like this type of story fucking exploded, especially in horror, after E.T.’s release. It’s an influential sci-fi film that really set the bar high for family friendly films.
The acting in this one is amazing. I love late 70s and 80s Dee Wallace. Her emotional range was really impressive which really bums me out considering she is rarely cast as the lead in films anymore. Henry Thomas and Drew Barrymore always impressed me as well. Their characters were written so well and the pair worked so well together. You really feel that child like sibling love/hate. Most of their scenes are genuine. The rest of the cast is just as enjoyable but these three truly stand out for me.
The story for this one inspired so many other films and shows ranging from Mac and Me, Stranger Things, and many more. The movie does drag it’s feet from time to time it still finds a way to keep you pulled in. As someone who grew up watching this on VHS along with other films like it I have to admit that it’s not really that original. What makes this one stand out is how wholesome and well put together it is.
Finally, the visual and practical effects in this one is legendary. The puppetry, the look of E.T., and the visual effects still hold up to this day. Overall, E.T.: The Extraterrestrial is a timeless classic that really does find an audience after 40 years. This film is a lot of fun but it does struggle with pacing. I highly recommend it especially if you are looking for something that the entire family can enjoy. Check out this UHD release!
Special Features:
40 YEARS OF E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL – An all-new retrospective of the film and its lasting legacy.
TCM CLASSIC FILM FESTIVAL: AN EVENING WITH STEVEN SPIELBERG – The acclaimed director reflects on his career and the making of E.T. 40 years later.
THE E.T. JOURNALS- Retrace the day-to-day experience of creating E.T. from never-before-seen, behind-the-scenes footage shot by Academy Award®-winning cinematographer John Toll.
DELETED SCENES
STEVEN SPIELBERG & E.T. – Watch an interview with Steven Spielberg, as he reflects back on the film and discusses his experience working with the actors, as well as his overall and current perspective on E.T.
A LOOK BACK – A special insider’s look into the making of E.T. featuring interviews with Steven Spielberg, the cast, and others intimately involved with the film.
THE EVOLUTION AND CREATION OF E.T.
THE E.T. REUNION – The cast and filmmaker reunite to discuss their thoughts on the impact of the film.
THE MUSIC OF E.T.: A DISCUSSION WITH JOHN WILLIAMS – Interviews and footage focused on the long-standing relationship between John Williams and Steven Spielberg.
THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY PREMIERE – Composer John Williams played the score of E.T. live at the Shrine Auditorium for the re-release premiere of E.T. This featurette gives us a behind the scenes look at this presentation.
DESIGNS, PHOTOGRAPHS, AND MARKETING
E.T. Designs by Production Illustrator Ed Verreaux
E.T. Designs by Carlo Rambaldi
Spaceship Designs by Ralph Mcquarrie
Designs by Production Illustrator Ed Verreaux
Production Photographs
Marketing E.T.
THEATRICAL TRAILER
SPECIAL OLYMPICS TV SPOT
