E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial

⭐ 8/10

I have a brief memory of watching this movie in school, and I remember being terrified. Seeing it as an adult with fresh eyes, there is a reason this is a classic. Heartfelt movie with some good tension and fun character design.  I love the user of Star Wars as a cultural touchstone throughout, and it makes perfect sense for kids of this era to draw on that reference. The kids themselves are all solid actors, and I found all their interactions believable and touching.

I had no memory of the back half of this movie - when I saw sick ET all white and nasty I probably had to leave the room. It gets super intense with this quarantine surgery thing going on, and the relationship between ET and Elliot has this physical bond I didn't remember at all. I don't think it all makes a ton of sense, but its an easy movie to turn your brain off and let it carry you away.

This watch was inspired by the John Williams movie, and his score is really incredible.  I think the theme is a bit overused, but its an all-timer and really elevates the movie.  I liked all the practical effects and tactile things, like the radio ET makes.  Even ET as a character feels real in a way modern movies still can't pull off. Shoutout to Spielberg, the best to ever do it.