scarred for life

Rating: 4/10 (30 May 2001)

The first thing you need to know is that my impression of this film is forever colored by my first exposure to it. When ET was released, I was 4 years old. It is the first movie I can remember seeing in the theater, and it scarred me for life. Really, this is a widespread phenomenon. If you were not born between the years 1977 and 1980, you may not understand what I'm talking about, but I'm telling you it's true. Ask anyone in that age bracket--if they saw ET in the theater, I guarantee they had the same experience.
Imagine yourself as a four-year-old, in a dark room, filled with people you don't know, watching the story of ET. You are a bit apprehensive about this strange-looking creature, but as Henry Thomas and Drew Barrymore grow to love him, so do you. You want one of your own...he's like a pet or maybe a stuffed animal come to life. What fun! Until, that is, the horrible people in the white jumpsuits take over the movie. All of a sudden, all these grown-ups are out to get ET. The screen is taken over by mean-looking people and, even worse, all those scary tubes and quarantine equipment. At this point, you--the four-year-old--are terrified. You don't understand why all those mean people want to hurt ET. Your parents take you out of the theater, into the shock of daylight, and more than likely vow not to take you to a movie for a long, long time.
Now, I can understand that ET is a highly regarded film, and I can appreciate why many people love it. But I defy you to find someone born in 1977-1980 who loves it. We were all scarred for life.