The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Rating: 4/10 (3 August 1999)

I first saw this movie when I was 5, and I liked it pretty well. My parents even bought for me...and I don't think I've watched it since (other than clips). I cannot remember most of the jokes and dialogue in the movie, but I remember the big picture still. After all, the movie is still popular.
Let me start by saying that Spielberg entered in this movie some of the best aspects of filmaking and also some of the worst. The movie is magical, especially for a young child. The relationship between E.T. and the boy is indeed heartwarming, and the special effects are good enough to compete with Cameron. However, the disappointing aspects of this film overweighed the good in my mind. This movie was rated PG-13 in some European countries. Why? Spielberg lures kids in to watch this movie, only to tell them that parents are close-minded and completely out of touch with kids, while also encouraging children to defy their parents when they "know" all the answers. Now granted, Spielberg doesn't come right out and say it, but for very young kids, this atmosphere could be harmful.
Moreover, much of the movie is directed to people who fall in love with lots of cute things. I don't mind cute movies, but it is overdone in a movie which is meant to be a sci-fi movies for kids, and a serious drama for adults. There are also many contrivances and plot holes that I believe are only accepted because the director was Speilberg and because it was a "cool" sci-fi flick. However these do not affect my rating of the movie, as I also am willing to ignore some poor or formulaic writing when the rest of the movie is great.
It seems I am in the minority on this movie. Even AFI has it 25th best all time on their list. But even throwing away all my personal taste, the message sent in this movie would still detract me from rating it among the classics.
I give it a 4 (out of 10) for effort.