Out of this World

Rating: 9/10 (4 January 2002)

This is Steven Spielberg at his best. E.T. - The Extra-Terrestrial was a defining experience for an entire generation of moviegoers. In 1982, special effects and science fiction were taking off to distant worlds and "the blockbuster" was being born. This was also a time when baby boomers were growning up, raising children in often broken one-parent homes. Spielberg describes this film as one about divorce, lonelyness and companionship. What makes E.T. work as a movie, is the friendship that ensues between a stranded alien visitor and young boy who longs for companionship. The story is very simple, and the special effects are somewhat dated, but the true magic of this movie lay in the heartfelt interaction between Elliott and E.T. It is a deceivingly emotional film with tremendous highs and heartbreaking lows. Scientists are on E.T.'s trail throughout the film and tension is built through scenes of investigion, secrecy, and persuit. Music plays a big part in the impact of the picture. John Williams powerfully dramatic score accents Spielberg's character driven direction. The swelling music at ending of the movie is one of Hollywood's most tearful bittersweet finales. This is one of the best movies of all time. Final rating = 9.2/10.