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E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial
Movie:
Video:
Audio:
Extras:
Final Score:
Movie:
Video:
Audio:
Extras:
Final Score:
There are some movies that just were born to elicit emotion from someone. A movie that can instantly whisk you back to when you were 8 years old, staring at that little 13 inch television with unabashed amazement, and that sheer devotion to the story unfolding in front of you. After so many years of seeing movie after movie after movie, I sometimes lose sight of that little kid inside myself, and can start viewing each movie watching experience as a slightly mechanical process. However, there’s something about classic Steven Spielberg films that just draws that little kid out, even though it’s been over 30 years since I was that little 8 year old in front of the beaten up TV in the living room. Indiana Jones, Jurassic Park, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, and good old E.T. have this reviewer completely mesmerized no matter how many times they are viewed. There’s a sense of magic and discovery in his films that defy reason, and E.T. happens to be one of his most powerful and emotion filled adventures to date. It’s a movie that literally ANYONE in your family can enjoy, from little Suzy, all the way up to you, your spouse, and Grandma and Grandpa.
It’s been 35 years since E.T. left theaters, but it still manages to be a relevant film over 3 decades later. Universal has released the film quite a few times over the lifespan of home video, including the old DVD that Spielberg garnered MUCH ire over after he decided to edit the guns out of the policeman's hands during the end escape scene, and replace them with flashlights. 5 years ago, on the 30th anniversary, Universal gave us an excellent Blu-ray set to enjoy, and 5 years later it’s given a spiffier upgraded to full 4K UHD. There’s 2 different sets to choose from, the first one being the basic 2 disc combo set that includes the 2012 Blu-ray and the new 4K UHD, and the second being the collector’s edition that I’m reviewing today. The discs will remain the same, but it also includes the remastered soundtrack on CD, as well as a little booklet of still photos and behinds the scenes extras. All housed in a nice chipboard box with a holographic cover.
The story of E.T.: The Extra-Terresrtrial has been known for many a year. A young alien is accidentally abandoned by his family when their spaceship visits Earth, and the little guy finds his way to a young boy named Elliott (Henry Thomas). Elliott is a bit of a picked on child, living in a single parent household, as mother Mary (Dee Wallace) tries to put her recent divorce behind her. Deciding to keep the little alien, Elliott lets his older brother Michael (Robert Macnaughton) and little sister Gertie (Drew Barrymore in her second feature film ever as a 7 year old kiddie wink) in on the secret, and the three of them try their best to keep their little friend under wraps.
E.T. is what I would consider a perfect film. It’s got it all. Cute kids, an alien puppet (which was fantastic by 1982 standards), an emotion filled tale of love that makes me look around for whoever is cutting onions in the room, and action, all in the same film. Spielberg is a great director, and I still love many of his newer works, but these old 80s and 90s efforts of his are by far the pinnacle of his achievements. He had delved into the topic of extra-terrestrial contact 5 years earlier in Close Encounters of the Third Kind, but that was a film earmarked for older adults. E.T. is aimed squarely at children, but so masterfully weaves in enough adult likability that people of all ages can gain something from the film. Personally I think Close Encounters is ever so slightly more of a cinemaphile’s piece of work, E.T. manages to capture that childlike innocence and sense of adventure so well that it is the more accessible film. Both are masterpieces in their own right, but I end up popping E.T. in more often that I do the former film.
Is E.T. perfect? No, not at all. The special effects don’t hold up as well as they did 35 years ago, and the simplistic kiddy nature of certain elements is exactly what Spielberg aimed for, children. However, I have never seen a film that is able to pull out that little child in every adult that has ever seen the film (at least in my experience), making it a perfect film for many fans. It is an undeniable classic that has stood the test of time, and still manages to entertain children and adults like 35 years from its initial inception.
Rating:
Rated PG for language and mild thematic elements
Video:
Audio:
Extras:
• Steven Spielberg & E.T. - Watch an interview with Steven Spielberg, as he reflects back on the film and discusses his experience working with the actors, as well as his overall and current perspective on E.T.
• The Music of E.T.: A Discussion with John Williams - Interviews and footage focused on the long-standing relationship between John Williams and Steven Spielberg.
• Designs, Photographs and Marketing of E.T
- E.T. Designs by Production Illustrator Ed Verreaux
- E.T. Designs by Carlo Rambaldi
- Spaceship Designs by Ralph McQuarrie
- Designs by Production Illustrator Ed Verreaux
- Production Photographs
•Marketing E.T. A Look Back - A special insider's look into the making of E.T. featuring interviews with Steven Spielberg, the cast, and others intimately involved with the film.
• The E.T. Reunion - The cast and filmmaker reunite to discuss their thoughts on the impact of the film.
• The 20th Anniversary Premiere - Composer John Williams played the score of E.T. live at the Shrine Auditorium for the re-release premiere of E.T. This featurette gives us a behind the scenes look at this presentation.
• Deleted Scenes
• Theatrical Trailer
Final Score:
E.T. is a fabulous family friendly film that has stood the test of time as one of Steve Spielberg’s most prolific movies. I can watch it over and over again and still get that same childlike sense of glee and wonder as Elliott and his friends make that exciting bike ride to freedom that I did when I was an 8 year old boy watching it off of a taped VHS tape that my mother made for me. The real question we have when a film is released and re-released so many times is what’s pertinent here though. Is the film worth upgrading in 4K once more? My answer is simple, yes. Yes it is worth the upgrade whether you get the 35th anniversary edition with the CD and booklet, or if you buy the normal 4K edition. They both have the same special features ported over from the 2012 Blu-ray, and the 4K video is a treat to behold. The audio sports another upgrade (even if only slight), but the video is enough to have me give this a solid two thumbs up to buy. Definitely a must own.
Technical Specifications:
Starring: Henry Thomas, Drew Barrymore, Peter Coyote
Directed by: Steven Spielberg
Written by: Melissa Mathison
Aspect Ratio: 1.85.1 HEVC
Audio: English: DTS:X (DTS-HD MA 7.1 Core), Portuguese, French, Spanish, Japanese DTS 5.1, English, Japanese DTS 2.0
Studio: Universal
Rated: PG
Runtime: 114 Minutes
Blu-ray Release Date: September 12th, 2017
Recommendation: Great Buy
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