Month: January 2023

“Goonies never say die!” —Mikey

Today’s quick review: The Goonies. On the last day before they are evicted from their home, Mikey Walsh (Sean Astin) and his older brother Brand (Josh Brolin) discover a map in their attic that points the way to One-Eyed Willy’s legendary treasure. With their friends in tow, the boys follow the map to a hidden cavern. But their plan hits a snag when they run into a family of criminals hiding out nearby (Anne Ramsey, Joe Pantoliano, and Robert Davi).

The Goonies is a family adventure comedy directed by Richard Donner. The movie follows a spirited group of teenagers on the hunt for buried treasure. Mikey, Brand, and their friends (Corey Feldman, Jeff Cohen, Ke Huy Quan, Keri Green, and Martha Plimpton) must brave puzzles, traps, and fugitives to find the treasure and save their home. The Goonies is an enthusiastic romp with a charming story and a keen spirit of adventure.

The Goonies has a knack for drawing the audience into its world. The movie introduces its enormous cast with surprising economy, quickly sketching out each character while deftly setting the stage for the story to come. The treasure hunt strikes the perfect balance between peril and humor, and each of Mikey’s friends gets plenty of screen time and a chance to shine. And while the movie can be dark in places, it never loses its optimism or wonder.

Overall, The Goonies is a movie that’s easy to like. Its characters are vivid and well-written, but they still feel true to life. Its plot is a kids’ adventure in the classic mold, but it has enough of its own identity not to feel like a retread. In general, the movie makes excellent use of a large cast, giving it an energy that’s hard to come by. The Goonies will not click for every viewer, but it’s well worth a try for those looking for fun.

For a more visually spectacular adventure about the search for pirate treasure, check out The Adventures of Tintin. For a horror-tinged comedy with some of the same attitude, try The Lost Boys. For a more eclectic adventure with strong fantasy elements, check out Time Bandits. For a less successful attempt at tapping into a classic spirit of adventure, try The Pagemaster.

7.8 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.5 for infectious fun.

“E.T. phone home.” —E.T.

Today’s quick review: E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. Elliott (Henry Thomas) is an ordinary boy who lives with his older brother Mike (Robert MacNaughton), his younger sister Gertie (Drew Barrymore), and their mother Mary (Dee Wallace). Elliott makes an extraordinary discovery when he finds E.T., an alien who was accidentally left behind on Earth. With the help of his family, Elliott must find a way to get E.T. back home.

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial is a family sci-fi adventure from director Steven Spielberg. The movie has a simple but iconic premise: a boy befriends an alien he discovers in his backyard. From there, the movie proceeds to tell an endearing story about friendship and loyalty. The bond between Elliott and E.T. gives the movie a rich sense of heart, while E.T.’s gradual acclimation to life on Earth is a source of both humor and wonder.

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial gets a lot of little things right. The characters are entirely believable, behaving the way a family would behave when confronted with such a strange situation. The tone strikes a nice balance between light danger and family-friendly humor, with a dash of mystery thrown in when it comes to E.T. and his powers. Attentive direction and an iconic soundtrack from John Williams round out the film well.

Give E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial a shot when you’re in the mood for something light and wholesome. Likable characters and a charming premise make it an easy movie to get into, while its craftsmanship makes it a worthwhile pick even for skeptical viewers. The film’s only real flaw is that it’s telling a straightforward family story, which limits its depth and the number of surprises it has in store, and even this issue is mostly down to taste.

For another story about alien contact from Steven Spielberg, check out Close Encounters of the Third Kind. For another story about a boy making friends with a visitor from outer space, try The Iron Giant. For a darker twist on a similar premise, try Super 8.

7.8 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.5 for solid craftsmanship and cultural impact.