Classic tale of boy befriends alien

Rating: 9/10 (11 October 2017)

This is a truly touching film and proof that sci fi can have as much, if not more, heart than any drama in the film world.
E.T. wants to phone home. He is lost and afraid in his new world, our world. He is short, wrinkly, bug-eyed, yet somehow adorable, and easily befriends his human friend Elliot who cares about him and wants him to survive on Earth.
This beautiful story has a lot of depth to it. Elliot and E.T.'s friendship is a model for many successful relationships we desire and strive for. We all want a companion, and E.T. being an alien somehow makes us want to strive for better relationships on Earth.
The terrifying sequence involving the scientists at the end doesn't paint the most positive picture of scientific progress, and ironically makes science itself seem somewhat "evil" in a science fiction film. Poor little E.T. must run for his life from the scientists who want to do who knows what with him.
This classic sci fi story is one of Spielberg's best, and a must see for all ages, even those not initially attracted to the sci fi genre.