E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

The classic family film by Steven Spielberg- E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial is great all round. Its themes of loyalty, trust and compassion are so easily portrayed through the main characters of Elliott and E.T- it is an extraordinary friendship and one of the most iconic in cinematic history. Even after 25 years the movie still pulls on the heartstrings of those who watch. The movie takes you through such a wide range of emotion from heartbreak to antagonism and resentment all the way to ecstasy and exhilaration. E.T is the template that all feel-good movies take from making it the perfect easy watch film.

Spielberg’s quintessential cinematic masterpiece illustrates such a beautiful and authentic friendship between Elliott and E.T and the connection they have with each other is so precious and pure that it’s the type of relationship everyone should strive for. Instead of fearing the extra-terrestrial like all others who have seen them Elliott bonds with it and connects with E.T on another level- both emotionally and mentally. When they face obstacle after obstacle and challenge after challenge Elliot (and his siblings) are always by E.T’s side right until the very end- supporting and helping E.T with adapting to human and attempting to go home.

The classic motion picture also includes a variety of archetypal scenes that everyone regardless of having watched it or not know. From when Elliott's bicycle lifts up into the sky and soars across the moon to the line ‘“E.T. phone home”’ that everybody has familiarize themselves with. After the film you’ll be left with the joy of movie magic done right.

E.T. is such an easy movie to get immersed into yet what makes it a family movie is that although there’s magic and aliens, there is also a single parent going through a divorce and trying to raise three children as well as the government forcing themselves into the lives of these children and robbing them of their magical experiences by trying to take the extra terrestrial away from them. It is such a beautifully written movie with so many themes that still impact today. Credit where credit is due to all the actors for conveying such a stunning movie and bringing it to us with such emotion and realism.

It even provokes the questions of, why do the children understand E.T. in a way the adults can’t or, why is E.T. presented as peaceful while so many other movies paint aliens as the antagonist or even incites the idea of are all parent-child relationships like the one E.T has with his mum- perhaps he would have come came to her with his parents still being together who knows. No matter the age you are E.T. is a movie for all and gives you something new each time you watch.

There is a reason that E.T. is still watched today and regularly discussed and it is because of the pure genius behind the movie and the impactful themes that underlie it. Recommended for all!