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[Revolutionary]

After watching Project Hail Mary I got the itch to rewatch this movie for the first time in ~25 years and I am in awe of how well it holds up. It's not uncommon to find something that hasn't aged well in classic movies, but I can honestly say there's very little I can legitimately criticize in ET. It's a perfect kids movie.

For one, ET is an absolute master class in "show, don't tell" filmmaking. I kept thinking how a modern movie would have voice over to explain things like what is happening between Elliot and ET, but instead you get these wonderfully whimsical scenes like the kissing scene in the classroom to heavily hint at their connection:

It isn't until the third act where a character actually has dialogue that quickly explains their connection.

Second, the child actors don't suck. In general, I honestly think that most child actors are terrible (Welcome to Derry, anyone?) but that's simply not the case for ET. Henry Thomas and Drew Barrymore were amazing for their age.

I also loved how the 'villains' of the movie are firmly in the background - a modern movie would have scenes explaining their intentions very clearly, and they'd have some kind of pompous commander leading the charge. In ET, not only do you not know their intentions for the majority of the movie, you don't even see ANY of their faces until the third act! And it turns out they're not really villains in the traditional sense, either.

I have to mention the John Williams score as well... PERFECTION.


I can go on and on about all the things I loved about this movie but I invite you all to rewatch it sometime and appreciate what a master filmmaker Spielberg is (or was, depending on who you ask).

What are your memories or thoughts on this classic?

 

[Kuranghi]

I don't remember watching it as a boy though I must've, my memory of it is watching when I was in my early 20s in the early 2000s, definitely held up well as you say.

Its like The Thing, I can watch that 100x and it still holds up.

The optical effects in ET are amazing for sure, will give it a 2nd watch soon because of your thread OP

 

[Coconutt]

The Thing > E.T.
Only mention this because I think they came out around the same time.

 

[666]

Yes, of course it is?

I don't think it's ever been underrated but we are maybe at the point whre gen z retards won't watch because it's old?

 

[Werewolf Jones]

E.T. was originally gonna be a horror movie.

 

[Revolutionary]

I don't remember watching it as a boy though I must've, my memory of it is watching when I was in my early 20s in the early 2000s, definitely held up well as you say.

Its like The Thing, I can watch that 100x and it still holds up.

The optical effects in ET are amazing for sure, will give it a 2nd watch soon because of your thread OP

How could I forget to mention the effects, both practical and optical?? Yes, they are amazing and they held up really well for a 45 year old movie. Enjoy your rewatch, whenever you get around to it!

The Thing > E.T.
Only mention this because I think they came out around the same time.

I love The Thing as well but they're entirely different kinds of movies. I'll admit I wasn't actually aware that they came out in the same year, though.

Yes, of course it is?

I don't think it's ever been underrated but we are maybe at the point whre gen z retards won't watch because it's old?

We are indeed at that point, sadly. I've seen younger people say that ET is boring and that's a sentiment I can't wrap my brain around. I was glued to the screen like I was a kid again.

E.T. was originally gonna be a horror movie.

Actually? Gonna have to look this up. Glad they didn't go that direction if true lol

 

[HAYA8U5A]

It's no Mac & Me but it is decent enough I guess.

 

[willothedog]

It's no Mac & Me but it is decent enough I guess.

 

[HAYA8U5A]

 

[ReBurn]

 

[Dirk Benedict]

I want to rewatch this in 4k. I've only seen it twice. Theater and VHS.

 

[Dacvak]

I always thought it was way too violent that the police had guns, just to respond to kids. I wish they would replace them with walkie-talkies or something.