From a box office hit to a video game nightmare, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial would become one of the most talked-about movies of the 1980s. 40 years later, it is still one of the most beloved science fiction movies of all time. Whether someone has seen it or not, if asked to name a sci-fi movie, there's no doubt E.T. would be up there with the likes of Star Wars and Alien.Whether it is the silhouette of the bicycle flying in front of the moon, John Williams' whimsical score, or the bond between Elliot and the title character, there will no doubt be a moment that resonates with fans. As far as movies go, E.T. ticks many boxes in terms of success. It isn't just down to money either, but what the film says and creates in its beautiful story.Director Steven Spielberg is no stranger to the world of sci-fi, as he had seen great success with Close Encounters Of A Third Kind four years prior to the release of E.T. His work on the film and the idea of humans and aliens interacting with each other out of curiosity would go on to work as a theme in E.T. Speilberg's creation of an imaginary friend following his parent's divorce would also cement the idea of E.T. After a couple of rewrites, a rejection from Columbia Pictures, and a $1 million dollar approval by Universal Studios, E.T. would begin work on a budget of $10.5 million. The film would go on to gross $792.9 million worldwide, making it the highest-grossing box office movie for 11 years, surpassing Star Wars and not being beaten until Spielberg's next sci-fi movie, Jurassic Park. It would also become one of Spielberg's highest-ranked movies.
E.T. is more than just a story about an alien on Earth, however. The extra-terrestrial who ends up stranded creates a beautiful and personal bond with 10-year-old Elliot Taylor. As his days on Earth pass by, the empathetic relationship between the two grows, with Elliot feeling what E.T. feels. The deep connection between the two is believable thanks to a stand-out performance from Henry Thomas (Elliot).In fact, for the most part, the movie is dominated by a young cast, including Drew Barrymore (Gertie) and Robert MacNaughton (Michael). The only adult whose face is seen for the best part of an hour of the movie is Elliot's mother, played by Dee Wallace. The impressionably young and inexperienced cast managed to deliver some heartfelt performances and genuine displays of curiosity, fear, sadness, and friendship. The only adults shown are the government workers in the film's opening scene, and the vast majority of NASA workers bombarding the scene. This creates the idea that the adults are the true invaders, and not the peaceful creatures.
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Watching E.T. in the modern day feels like a nostalgic throwback to its generation, as the film is littered with references whether they be from video games, movies, and general early 80s pop culture. There is even a nod to Spielberg's earlier work Jaws, and many comparisons have been made regarding E.T.'s design in relation to the aliens in Close Encounters. Despite those similarities, E.T. would create a new era of cinema, as Spielberg had previously done before in creating the Summer Blockbuster. It was a new breed of sci-fi, where instead of talks of invasion or attacks, the story went much deeper to create a bond that only a child could make. Its use of special effects, which still look great today, have had a huge influence on cinema and how seamless effects could look.
Especially as a children's movie, E.T. gracefully handles the themes of loss and death. The environment becomes stressful once NASA medical staff are involved and the Taylor house becomes a high-tech emergency room. The deterioration of E.T. is kept visible, and Thomas's performance is admirable in reflection of his deteriorating state as well. Spielberg is no stranger to shooting emotionally-driven scenes, but E.T. teaches children what it would be like to lose someone close to them, and how those around may react, thus producing the purest and most natural performance from Thomas. It also teaches the audience hope and courage, without forgetting the emotional messages involved. In films with a non-human side character, they are usually treated with animal-like characteristics most notably seen in Disney animated movies. E.T., on the other hand, features more human qualities like that of a child in their learning and development stage.
E.T.'s magic and wonder is greatly aided by John Williams' masterful score. The large brass sections, soaring violins, and curious string and wind arrangements are reminiscent of Williams' work in Star Wars, but the score has a more gentle feeling, especially during the parts that take place at the Taylor household. The most notable piece, repeated during different sections of the movie, lives on with fans and creates that magical feeling of flying. The movie has a spiritual feeling to it as well, with E.T. seemingly becoming a prophet who is crucified by science and resurrected by love. Williams' score reinforces that feeling.
Spielberg's childhood partially inspired E.T., particularly in the theme of Elliot missing his father who had left the family. Elliot finds what he's missing in E.T., and when E.T. leaves, it no doubt feels like his father leaving all over again. What is beautiful about the leaving scene is there isn't a feeling of loneliness. E.T. utters the famous line "I'll be right here," and gives Elliot a reciprocal feeling of love that he had already shown in their short time together. This sense of family is further underlined by Elliot's strong single mother, who does everything she can to keep her children safe, and doesn't see her son's "goblin" as a threat.
Though it has been 40 years since its release, E.T. will remain one of the greatest films of all time and as a film filled with magic and heart. It has been featured as a part of Universal Studios theme park for over 30 years. It would create one of the worst video games of all time, which became something of an urban myth. E.T. was nominated for plenty of awards, taking home four Oscars and the Golden Globe for best picture. It's hard to think of anything bad about E.T. with its great use of animatronics, CGI, and suburban Los Angeles setting. It's a sci-fi film that didn't need outlandish locations, didn't need lasers, and didn't need space itself — but it still became one of the most believable and timeless alien films ever.