Sci Fi Day: (Part Two) E.T: The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

What makes this film an all time classic is how it manifests a blend of four extremely well done genres into one successful viewing for all the family. In other words, E.T. is so much more than just your average Sci Fi film- it’s also a children’s fantasy, a family drama as well as a Sci Fi adventure film which serves a treat for all. Nearly three decades later, the film still manages to preserve these genres well while the sentimental value of the film still remains powerful as ever, making it one of the greatest tearjerkers of all time- (yes, I did find myself fighting back the tears even now!).

All this is achieved from some spectacular performances from our child actors, Henry Thomas and Drew Barrymore who really made us laugh and cry in all the right parts- (something many adult actors have failed to accomplish!). We could argue that child actors are the best kind of actors, after all, children aren’t as experienced as adults and so their only resources would be their real reactions and emotions to things they encounter in the scenes. They express this sense of truth in their performances which has managed to win us over so well.

Drew Barrymore as the mischievous Gertie was my favourite performance of the entire film. How can a seven year old kid (who is just so adorable by the way) possess sarcasm and wit as traits? (and why can’t all kids be like that?!) With an amazing performance from Barrymore at such a young age, we are anything but surprised at how successful her acting career has been as an adult (which we’ll be seeing very shortly with Donnie Darko). The alien is naturally very cute with sympathy evoking features which represents a child’s imaginary friend that comes to life.

E.T. was the film of my childhood- a film that I never got tired of watching over and over again. It had been some years before I ventured back to it once again for Sci Fi day and I’m really glad I did- it brought me back to a time when life was a little more carefree and magical. E.T. is a wonderful timeless tale about friendship and an all round great Spielberg Sci Fi family film.

For Ian’s take on E.T. click here.