An all-time classic

Rating: 10/10 (18 November 2001)

When I went to see "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone", I saw a preview of "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial". This of course is Steven Spielberg's classic from 1982 that will be rereleased next year for its 20th anniversary complete with never before seen footage, enhanced special effects, and digitally remastered sound. Well last night I watched the original version, which I saw a couple of times when I was a kid. The movie still hasn't lost its magical touch. "E.T." is one of the best movies that I've ever seen, a movie with heart, humor, and excitement that will live with us forever. The story about an alien stranded on Earth and the boy who takes him in and becomes his friend went on to become the biggest blockbuster of all-time. It stayed on top of the foreign box office list until Spielberg's "Jurassic Park" surpassed it worldwide in 1993. It stayed on top of the domestic box office list until George Lucas rereleased "Star Wars" in 1997 (that was complete with the new stuff that "E.T." is getting for its rerelease). Will "E.T." get back on top of the box office after its rerelease next year? Stay tuned. Winner of four Academy Awards (including Visual Effects and John Williams rousing score), "E.T." is a movie like "Star Wars" that stays with you forever. Great story, great characters (a very young Drew Barrymore steals all of her scenes), great special effects, and great atmosphere, "E.T." is an all-time classic and it always will be.
**** (out of four)