TravelingbeebryantRN & Flicks_withNick

Watching E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial on the big screen again reminded me why it stuck with me since I was a kid, but it also hit me completely differently as an adult.

When you’re young, this movie feels like a story about kids vs. adults. You walk away thinking all adults are the enemy, ready to ruin everything. Watching it now, though, I had a totally different reaction. I found myself thinking, “Yeah… I’d probably act the same way as the parents, or even the government.” That shift in perspective is part of what makes this movie age so well.

It’s obviously a massive hit and a classic, but I don’t think it gets brought up enough when people talk about Steven Spielberg’s greatest films. Everyone jumps to Jurassic Park or Schindler’s List, and fair enough, but E.T. absolutely belongs in that top tier conversation. Honestly, try naming a better family movie. It has everything, comedy, friendship, heartbreak, and adventure, all balanced perfectly. Ultimately, this is an amazing feel good story of friendship, and one of those movies that everyone needs to see at least once in their life.

And then there’s that bike chase scene. No debate, it’s the best moment in the film. Paired with one of the most iconic scores from John Williams, it’s pure movie magic. People always bring up Star Wars or Jaws when talking about his best work, but this score deserves to be right up there. The story behind it makes it even better. Spielberg actually edited the scene around Williams’ music, not the other way around. The result is one of the most unforgettable sequences in film history.

What surprised me most this time was how funny the movie is. Moments like Gertie (Drew Barrymore) and E.T. screaming at each other when they first meet, or E.T. waddling around dressed as a ghost and encountering Yoda, still land perfectly. That little Star Wars connection is such a great touch.

Of course, it’s not all lighthearted. As a kid, the government agents in those astronaut-like suits were absolutely terrifying, and honestly, that scene still has a bit of that edge. But the emotional core is what really sticks. When Michael says, “He doesn’t understand goodbye”, yeah, that still hits like a knife to the heart. I won’t pretend I didn’t tear up. And honestly, has there been another movie that ends this perfectly, just letting the score take over and finish on such a huge emotional high? No unnecessary follow up, no extra scenes, just ending on a massive note.

This is one of those rare movies that feels genuinely perfect. It’s timeless, it evolves with you, and it deserves to be introduced to every new generation of movie fans.

Flicks_withNick rare movie rating. 5/5

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