Blockbuster Sci-Fi & Family Film.

Rating: 8/10 (30 August 2013)

Steven Spielberg directs this spectacular, involving, and deeply moving film that stars Henry Thomas(superb and totally believable) as Elliot, a young boy who discovers the title creature, and decides to keep it, first from his mother(lovely Dee Wallace) and then the government, who know about the alien, and want it for their own reasons...
Story builds its relationships and story points believably and realistically, though perhaps too much in regards to Elliot's siblings and friends, who are at times obnoxious(just like kids would be!) and say inappropriate things, but story is so masterfully told(though admittedly manipulative as well) that it builds to a most satisfying climax, punctuated by John William's soaring score, one of his best.
Amazingly,despite this being a monster hit, there was no sequel!