Only spoiled by unnecessary re-edits on 20th anniversary re-release

Rating: 9/10 (9 August 2005)

There's really not much to say that hasn't already been said about Steven Spielberg's tribute to lost childhood and unlikely friendships,disguised as a Science Fiction fantasy. It is a beautifully made movie that was very cleverly marketed(i.e. not showing the creature in any of the ads during the first run of the movie). Melissa Mathison's script is spare and,as such,allows for the actors and effects to paint a picture of the story through emotions and images. His cast was comprised of almost entirely character actors,with the children comprising the Lion's share of screen time and lines(along with the creature of course)which seems par for the course for Spielberg,who is almost shameless in his usage of kids and kids' themes to breathe life into his movies.
When the 2002 re release of the film came out,I was initially very excited and looked forward to seeing it in a theater again. While I cannot say I was wholly disappointed with the end result(it WAS for the most part,still the same movie),I have to say that I found the changes put into the film--of which I would probably would've been barely aware of,save the E.T. in a bathtub scene,had I not read about it in something like Entertainment Weekly--were unnecessary and created a rather unnecessary buzz that I(And I feel like others)could've done without.
I would recommend either the 1997 VHS 15th Anniversary release,complete with edited footage,backstage filming,current star interviews and footage of the 1982 premiere.(If you can find this in DVD form, get it) It's the original untouched film,replete with back-story which,if you get into things like that like I do,you will find interesting.