E.T. A Boy, An Alien, And A Bicycle To The Moon

E.T. A Boy, An Alien, And A Bicycle To The Moon

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, a product of Universal Pictures, directed by Steven Spielberg, touched down in theaters in 1982 and took audiences to another world. It isn’t simply a story about an alien stranded on Earth; it’s a tale about loneliness, the wonder of childhood, and the unbreakable bond between a boy and his extraterrestrial friend. The movie opens with a group of botanist aliens visiting Earth to collect samples in a forest in California. In a hurried escape, one alien gets left behind, separating him from his family and placing him in a very dangerous and unknown environment.

The emotional core of the film centers around Henry Thomas as Elliott, a lonely boy who finds solace in the unexpected arrival of the alien, whom he names E.T.. Their connection is immediate and very authentic, and the movie beautifully illustrates how they communicate despite not sharing a common language. Thomas portrays Elliott’s vulnerability and heart with remarkable skill, making his connection with E.T. deeply felt. This is not just about a kid finding an alien, but about the unique sort of understanding and friendship that can form in the most unusual of circumstances.

RELATED STORIES  Full Metal Jacket (1987, Matthew Modine, Dir: Stanley Kubrick)

E.T. A Boy, An Alien, And A Bicycle To The Moon

Drew Barrymore is fantastic as Elliott’s younger sister, Gertie. Her reactions to E.T. and her simple, innocent delivery of lines give the movie a lot of its charm and humor. Dee Wallace, playing the children’s mother, Mary, captures the essence of a caring parent struggling to understand the unusual events occurring in her home. The portrayal of family, both those related by blood and the unique connection between E.T. and Elliott, is a major theme of this story. The movie also features Peter Coyote as Keys, a government agent, who is hot on the trail of E.T. but finds himself a little conflicted when seeing the relationship between the alien and the kids, which provides another angle to the narrative.

RELATED STORIES  The Wizard of Oz (MGM 1939, Judy Garland)

The magic of E.T. comes from the masterful blend of science fiction with very human emotions. Spielberg uses practical effects and creature design to create an alien that is both believable and extremely relatable. The moments of wonder, like the flying bicycle scene against the moon, are just iconic and are some of cinema’s most memorable sequences. The movie also manages to deal with a sense of loss and longing in a manner that is accessible to both kids and adults alike. It’s a story that doesn’t shy from emotional highs and lows, which resonates with its audience.

The movie is not without its flaws. Some might see the story as overly sentimental or simplistic, but these elements are in fact the movie’s strengths. The genuine portrayal of childhood emotion and the themes of friendship and belonging are what make E.T. timeless. It avoids being just another science fiction film by choosing to focus on the connection between its characters rather than just the spectacle. The film’s focus on practical effects, rather than CGI, makes it feel very much like a product of its time, which adds a certain charm that is absent from a lot of modern movies. E.T. is more than just a family-friendly movie; it’s a celebration of the human spirit, and the power of friendship, and the importance of finding your way home.

RELATED STORIES  Fantasia (1940, Walt Disney)

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial is a Universal Pictures production.
Release Date: 1982
Director: Steven Spielberg
Cast: Henry Thomas, Drew Barrymore, Dee Wallace, Peter Coyote,

Head of film reviews at The Viewers Guide with an erudite, insightful, slightly sardonic, deep appreciation for classic cinema. Has a habit of quoting obscure lines from old films in everyday conversation. He keeps a meticulously organized film logbook. He's a bit of a tea snob.