Director: Steven Spielberg
Starring: Dee Wallace, Henry Thomas and Peter Coyote
‘A Timeless Classic’
Few filmmakers in Hollywood are as celebrated as Steven Spielberg. Following his rise to stardom during the 1980’s, Spielberg has made unforgettable movies. Whether it’s stories of whip-smart archaeologists with charisma, German businessmen or sailors escaping shark jaws, Spielberg has made movies in nearly every genre. Spielberg’s lifelong love for movies has always been part of his identity. At an early age, Spielberg developed a love for the moving image during a time when his parents were enduring a broken marriage. To cope with the divorce, Spielberg turned towards movies as a source of comfort. Movies became a powerful art form allowing him to cope with the consequences caused by his parents’ divorce tragedy. Through his passion for filmmaking, Spielberg managed to overcome a divorce that was devastating.
Spielberg is one of those distinguished filmmakers that has made several classics throughout an illustrious career. I appreciate all of Spielberg’s movies which are timeless masterpieces worthy of celebration. However, “E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial” definitely stands out the most. Released in 1982, Spielberg’s classic film forever changed the world through portraying an alien from a personal point-of-view. Spielberg draws from his own personal experience of divorce to craft an amazing portrait of adolescence. Boasting breathtaking visual effects, sharp storytelling and phenomenal performances, it’s one of the best alien movies ever made. Unlike most movies about aliens, it’s a universal film everyone would be able to relate to. It delivers a poignant message that would resonate with everyone that has witnessed a broken marriage at an early age.
Set in the San Fernando Valley, “E.T.” tells the story of an innocent boy that forms a bond with an alien from an extra-terrestrial galaxy. Henry Thomas embodies Elliot, a young boy with a huge imagination. Elliot struggles to understand his parents’ devastating divorce which is a source of remorse. However, Elliot’s life drastically changes when he’s visited by an extra-terrestrial alien from an outer galaxy. Elliot develops a strong bond with the alien called ET that becomes a companion he values highly. As ET becomes part of his childhood, Elliot struggles to protect a creature that’s misunderstood in his neighbourhood.
Steven Spielberg has always been fascinated with stories of aliens. Since his career began in the 1980’s, Spielberg has often told stories of aliens from outer galaxies. Before making “E.T.”, Spielberg had already directed the iconic alien film “Close Encounters of the Third Kind”. With “E.T.”, however, Spielberg crafted his first ever alien film from a child’s point-of-view. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture a child’s reaction to aliens from extraterrestrial galaxies, but he succeeded tremendously. Using captivating cinematography, Spielberg captures a young boy’s awe-inspiring discovery of an eccentric alien from extraterrestrial galaxies. Visually, the movie is a stunning feast for the eyes as breathtaking as aliens from outer galaxies that Elliot grows. up to idolize. Spielberg expertly uses reaction shots to capture a child’s reaction of awe to an alien from an outer galaxy. Reaction shots elevate the scene where Elliot is first shocked to find E.T. hiding in his family’s shed. It’s a memorable scene that captures how a child would react to an alien. Using stunning cinematography, Spielberg captures an extra-terrestrial alien’s journey.
Another admirable aspect of “E.T.” that makes it an iconic classic is the production-design. For a movie made in the 1980’s, the movie’s special effects have aged incredibly. The special effects are breathtaking, bringing to life an alien that feels realistic. Spielberg effectively uses puppetry techniques to bring to life a memorable alien. For instance, special effects elevate the bike flying scene. During this inspiring scene, Elliot magically rides a bicycle into the sky with E.T. One admires awe-inspiring special effects giving viewers the sensation of flying. It’s an iconic scene that is brought to life by special effects which are fantastic. Moreover, another aspect of “E.T.” that I adore is the musical score. John Williams’ whimsical music is one of the reasons why the film is a classic. The music captures feelings of childlike wonder of seeing aliens for the first time. Through incredible production-design, “E.T.” remains a classic that hasn’t lost abilities to shine.
Storytelling is one of the key reasons why “E.T” remains a classic that’s enduring. The film is beautifully written, and showcases Spielberg’s strengths as a storyteller. Spielberg’s screenwriting strength is capturing the strong bonds between a child and alien through silence. Before “E.T.” was released, most movies depicted aliens in a negative light. Aliens were commonly portrayed as dangerous creatures posing a threat to humanity in mainstream movies. Fortunately, however, Spielberg avoided these stereotypes in “E.T.”. Spielberg effectively uses silence to capture the powerful bond between a child and alien from an outer galaxy. Throughout the movie, Elliot forms a strong unspoken bond with E.T. without any dialogue. Silence is used effectively in the final scene where Elliot bids goodbyes to E.T. with tears filling his eyes. It’s a heartbreaking scene which never fails to bring me to tears that has aged incredibly well over the years. Silence is a tricky technique. Most movies about alien invasions are driven by loud special effects. However, it works in “E.T.”. Through a spectacular screenplay, Spielberg created a classic that’s well-regarded today.
One admires astonishing performances. “E.T.” wouldn’t be classic it is today without the phenomenal acting.
Henry Thomas delivers a breakthrough performance as Elliot. In his first leading role, Thomas poured his heart and soul into a child forming bonds with an alien. It isn’t easy to embody the personality of a child forming bonds with an alien from an outer galaxy, but Thomas succeeded. For a first-time actor, Thomas showcased maturity beyond his years. With riveting expressions, he captures the childlike innocence, desperation and resentment of a child forming bonds with extraterrestrial aliens. Most child actors struggle to leave a lasting impression, but Thomas is an exception. It’s a phenomenal performance that launched the career of a child actor.
The supporting cast is excellent and create strong bonds together. Dee Wallace is dazzling, bringing humanity to Henry’s mother that becomes concerned for her son’s safety when he befriends an alien from an outer galaxy. Drew Barrymore is brilliant, capturing the childish point-of-view of a girl that can’t understand hardships of divorce her family is going through. Lastly, Robert MacNaughton is magnificent. As Elliot’s older brother, he brings hilarious comical relief to the movie.
Finally, “E.T.” is one of those rare movies everyone would appreciate due to its powerful message about marriage. Unlike most movies that Steven Spielberg has made, it’s one of those rare movies everyone would relate to. It tackles encompassing themes including divorce, family and tragedy. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of science-fiction movies to appreciate it. It delivers a powerful message which would resonate with everyone that has witnessed a broken marriage. As someone that has witnessed divorce in my own family, I related deeply to Elliot’s journey. Therefore, “E.T.” is one of those rare movies that everyone would appreciate.
Fans of Steven Spielberg will definitely enjoy “E.T.” and so will movie-goers seeking heartwarming entertainment. An iconic classic, it has stood the test of time as one of the best movies that Steven Spielberg has ever made.
Nearly 40 years following release of an iconic movie about children developing bonds with extra-terrestrial aliens which come from outer galaxies, it’s a powerful reminder of an awe-inspiring classic directed by one of the world’s greatest filmmakers that has built an enduring legacy whose timeless movies have the potential to inspire children to pursue their out-of-the-world dreams regardless how unattainable they may be.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 
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