An absolute classic

Rating: 10/10 (13 August 2007)

Steven Spielberg is considered one of modern Hollywood's founding fathers. Possibly not by coincidence, some of his closest friends, Francis Ford Coppela, George Lucas and composer John Williams are also regarded as leading Hollywood from the brink of collapse, influencing modern filmmakers the world over.
E.T. is one of cinema's most iconic characters and still today, over 25 years later, enchants audiences of all ages.
E.T. is an alien from an undisclosed planet, visiting earth to gather agricultural matter for later study when his ship leaves for home without him. A stranger on a strange planet, E.T. seeks means to signal his family of his abandonment and in the process, befriends a young boy by the name of Elliot. Much humour and excitement ensues leading up to a tear jerking finale which is easily one of the most memorable of all time.
The movie is adapted from a personal tale from Spielberg's own childhood. His parents going through a divorce and young Steven finding a way to cope with this, he created an imaginary friend. Years later once he had established himself as a filmmaker, he decided this was an excellent subject for a family movie and so enlisted the help of screenwriter friend Melissa Mathison. Unwilling at first to write the screenplay, Melissa eventually succumbed and made a decision which would change her life forever.
One of the best decisions of Spielberg made was to enlist the help of another friend, John Williams, who had worked with him before on the equally memorable movies, Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark and Jaws. Williams brought the story together with his epic soundtrack that when listened to independently of the movie, still is as captivating. The heart of the film is really held here and as any movie goer will tell you, is unmistakable.
The one scene which really resonated with the audience has to be the classic and often parodied bicycle ride in the sky, the young actors silhouetted in the sun to John William's sweeping theme is always met with a cheer from the audience and is often the first thing recalled when asked "What is your favourite scene from E.T.?".
The bond which develops between Elliot's family and the pug-faced little alien is one the audience truly is involved with and every emotion they feel is felt by the viewer. An experience which is crucial to any movie but sadly missed in most modern family tales. There is an X factor to it, but the genius of Steven Spielberg and John Williams is possibly why the movie was such a hit and judging by it's recent re-release in 2002, this hold true for a new generation of movie goers.
E.T. is a picture which could be shown in another 25 years and still hold a massive audience. It is a yardstick to which hundreds of movies since have been measured and we have yet to see any that come close. An absolute classic.