After 20 years, 'E.T' remains engaging, whimsical adventure

By Jack Garner
Gannett News Service

E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL (Rated PG) Four Stars (Excellent) Steven Spielberg's most personal and touching fantasy adventure returns, all spiffed up with a bit more footage. Henry Thomas, Drew Barrymore and Dee Wallace co-star. Universal, 120 mins.

Steven Spielberg's marvelous fable is back on the screen, looking better than ever, in a special 20th anniversary edition.

Originally released in 1982, the story of a boy and his friendship with a stranded alien remains one of Spielberg's most beloved films. The youngsters at this week's preview screening gave it riveting attention — and tears and applause at the finale — so I'd say the film is as entertaining and moving as ever.

Perhaps the secret lies in Spielberg's approach to this most personal of his popcorn adventures. Spielberg worked with great passion, creating a new sort of autobiography out of his dreams and emotions.

Like Spielberg, young Elliott (Henry Thomas) is suffering through the collapse of his parents' marriage. And while most youngsters think of aliens as frightening monsters to be avoided, young Spielberg always fantasized about making friends with one.

Like Spielberg, Elliott is also a bit of a nerdy outsider. He desperately needs a father figure — and a friend.

He finds both in E.T., a short, squat, long-necked, big-headed alien that's been left behind when his mother ship is chased off the planet without him. Elliott finds the creature, befriends him with candy, and hides him among the toys and stuffed animals in his bedroom.

(In one of the most famous marketing screw-ups in history, M&Ms declined the offer to be the alien's favorite candy. Instead, the honor went to the upstart competitor, Reeses' Pieces, assuring that candy's lasting popularity.)

Elliott and E.T. quickly develop an amazing simpatico. Even when they're apart, they engage in a remarkable emotional and psychological synergy. (This is noted, hilariously, when E.T. gets into the beer at home, and makes Elliott drunk at school.)

Elliott's older brother (Robert MacNaughton) and cute little sister (Drew Barrymore) are soon let in on the secret and eventually help Elliott protect the creature when government officials come snooping.

Suspense tightens when E.T. discovers how to contact his home planet. Life on Earth has weakened him — he needs to "phone home," so his fellow creatures will return and rescue him.

The human youngsters help E.T. in a rousing finale that includes the most famous bicycle ride in movie history.

Everything we loved about the film in '82 — the delightfully natural performances of the youngsters, the believability of the alien, the benevolent spirit and rich humor of the film — still are eminently lovable.

For the 20th-anniversary edition, Spielberg has spiffed up the film, employing computer special effects to tweak and improve a few sequences. He's also added five minutes of material cut from the original:

• An amusing bathtub sequence with E.T. and Elliott, including the moment when the alien extends his telescoping neck for the first time.
• A few moments when Elliott's mom (Dee Wallace) and his young sister go for a car ride on Halloween, looking for him.

Most intriguing, Spielberg also used computer effects to erase what he always considered the one major flaw in the film — the carrying of guns by the authorities who try to catch the bike-riding youngsters. He always regretted the use of guns — and didn't think it was realistic. When you see the new version, you'll note walkie-talkies in their hands, instead of guns.

John Williams' rousing music for the film also has been upgraded, thanks to digital remastering. (It's among the most important elements in "E.T.")

All in all, the changes don't amount to much. But then, when a movie approaches perfection, why mess with it?

Instead, simply view the 20th-anniversary edition of "E.T.," as an opportunity to once again see the most engaging family film of its age, back on the big screen.

And if you or your children never saw "E.T.," there's no excuse now for missing it.

Rated PG for language