by Nevin Hooper

Hello again, fans of the classic genre of film. I first must apologize for not writing a review for a little while. My plan was to have this review up on the actual 35th anniversary date, but I was super busy and couldn’t get it in time. But, even though the anniversary of the film has come and gone, the magnificently wonderful film has not, so I will be reviewing it for you guys today.

If you are not familiar with my reviews, my grading system for movies goes from a 0/10 (movies that are so horrible that they should have never been made), to an 11/10 (movies that are so great, so amazing, that you just can’t give the average 10/10). Okay, you got it, let’s get to reviewing!

Being one of my personal favorite Steven Spielberg films, this film tells the story of a young boy named Elliot (Henry Thomas) who has gone through a lot of hard times with his Mom, brother Michael (Robert MacNaughton), and sister Gertie (played by a very young Drew Barrymore). One day, Elliot encounters and befriends a space alien that they come to name E.T., who has been accidentally left by his family and is in search of a way home, and Elliot is determined to find it.

Many films over the years have had the same “boy befriends alien/dog/cat/other animal or creature” plot, but a rare few have made it better than this film. The story is amazing. The screenplay is one of the most heartfelt I have ever seen. It features many classic scenes that have gone down in cinematic history and phenomenal direction from Spielberg (duh). Beyond all of that, the costume design and visual effects are amazing. I mean, this movie is done so well, and E.T. is a great character, alongside the human characters.

But, the best thing about this film is the Oscar-winning John Williams score. John Williams is still one of the best composers for film ever. But this film, along with his music from Star Wars, Jaws, and Indiana Jones, is among his very best. His music in this movie is so powerful and emotional. At parts it is loud and soaring, and at other times it quiet and emotional. Every time I hear the music go perfectly with the movie, it makes me fill with so much happiness that it actually gives me goosebumps. I know, that sounds weird. But, if you watch such a phenomenal movie and feel so happy, excited, sad, etc., you can get goosebumps. The one other time this has happened to me is during the final scene of “The Usual Suspects” (1995).

Anyway, this film is so good that I usually watch it once a year. It is one of my all time favorites, and I shall give it an 11/10.