E. T. The Extra Terrestrial 1982 Movie || Steven Spielberg || The ExtraTerrestrial Movie Full Review

The video introduces E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial as one of the biggest box office successes and a highly recognized Steven Spielberg film. While beloved, the reviewer argues it might be overrated, noting Spielberg's tendency for emotional manipulation, particularly in the film's final act.

Spielberg's positive view of aliens (as seen in Close Encounters) is highlighted. The story follows a marooned alien, E.T., who befriends a boy named Elliot. E.T. is hidden from adults, becomes ill due to Earth's climate, and builds a device to 'phone home' before government agents intervene, placing E.T. and Elliot, who shares a physical bond with the alien, in jeopardy.

E.T. is described as a tear-jerking, feel-good experience, especially effective for family audiences. It captivates both children and adults, earning its reputation by capturing the imagination of audiences. The review discusses how its strengths have been magnified and weaknesses diminished over the years.

The 2002 special edition is mentioned, where Spielberg, inspired by George Lucas's Star Wars re-release, enhanced some scenes with modern CGI. While minor changes were made (like replacing guns with walkie-talkies), the core of the film remains untouched, with the original scenes also available, preserving artistic integrity.

The film's special effects, updated for 2002, are praised for not looking dated. However, John Williams's score is criticized as unmemorable, except for the main theme. The review notes the early careers of Henry Thomas and Drew Barrymore, and how adult actors in the film remained character actors.

E.T. is a fairy tale with a heart, an allegory for peace and anti-prejudice, celebrating friendship and love. It's a film that resonates across generations, providing both innocence and humor, and offering an emotional journey that leaves few dry eyes.

The reviewer delves into the film's narrative, set in a suburban environment where E.T. is left behind after its spaceship departs. Henry Thomas's performance as Elliot is lauded as one of the best child performances. E.T. is characterized as a wise, empathetic creature with telepathic abilities, forming a deep bond with Elliot.

E.T.'s unique design and characterization are highlighted as a triumph of special effects and imagination. The film reminds viewers of the diverse purposes of movies – to make us think, feel, escape, or examine life, doing all these things masterfully. It's dubbed the 'best Disney film Disney never made'.

E.T. is compared to George Lucas's Star Wars and Spielberg's Close Encounters, embodying the idealized versions of films they loved as children. The film's critical success and influence are noted, becoming the highest-grossing film of its time and a staple of 1980s family cinema.

Spielberg's decision to shoot the film chronologically to foster genuine emotional connections between the child actors and the E.T. puppet is discussed. The innovative use of low-angle shots, showing adults only from the waist down, effectively conveys the story from a child's perspective.

The review explores religious symbolism, comparing E.T.'s glowing finger to the 'Creation of Adam' and his story to a passion, death, and resurrection narrative. E.T. is presented as a messianic figure or a 'new age Christ figure,' bringing cosmic enlightenment, while also being an alter ego for Elliot.

E.T. is praised for its universal appeal and Spielberg's personal connection to the story, rooted in his own childhood experiences. The film's intimate, human-scaled pace, told primarily from a child's perspective, makes it unique and unmatched in its emotional and psychological depth.