Unmatched, Unmastered, Spielberg's Masterpiece

Rating: 10/10 (29 March 2007)

The first time I ever watched this film was at the age of 5, on a dark and stormy night having just got back from Wales. My dad first introduced me to film with the words, "Son, I have a film for you to watch. It is a film about a man from outer space!" And since then, E.T. has been stuck in my head, for all the wrong reasons! The first time Elliot sees E.T. in the Cornfield was a scene that would become my worst nightmare for 10 years. The matter wasn't helped when British Telecommications used it as their advertising slogan several years ago. However, since Christmas 2006, when it was last broadcast here in the UK, I have been in awe of this film! I see now that it was a beautifully made story of love, compassion, friendship (and deeper meanings such as racial equality and biblical references), and not a horror film which, to my mind, would surpass the Alien movies. The acting is very good for a kids film (which I usually look upon with utter distaste), and certainly, I don't think there has been a decent film about "good" Aliens since (apart from maybe the rather overlooked "Cocoon"). I have heard of people who believe that you have to be an child to like this film and that it is completely overrated. I say "Bollocks!" True you need a certain amount of imagination to look at this film and understand its subliminal meanings and its homage to childhood nostalgia, but the way I see it, to look at this film with such prejudice, distasteful comments is to deny the bliss of a typical childhood altogether. You do not even have to be philosophical to enjoy this film either. Its comic values are high, especially with the inventions of colourful insults such as "Penis breath", which some of my friends still use today, the score is one of William's finest, and the general use of "Mis-en-scene" is inventive and highly affective. I honestly don't see what people have against the 2002 edition, because Spielberg only wanted to make E.T.'s expressions more real, and to try and tackle the issue of a post 9/11 World. But I can seriously say that since that night 10 years ago, I really have been turned for the better. Basically completely flawless - 10/10.
P.S. Why the hell is this not in the IMDb top 250!!!?