(rated PG, 120 mins.)
It’s been twenty years since Steven Spielberg delivered his timeless and beloved classic, so it’s time to re-release it to a new generation. With the power of a fable and the soul of a fairy tale, E.T. is the story of a special friendship that develops between a lonely young boy, Elliot (Henry Thomas) and a friendly visitor from another planet, lost on Earth. Trying to elude scientists who have other plans for him, Elliot and E.T. begin one wild adventure. Elliot’s little sister Gertie is portrayed by the then young, cute and adorable Drew Barrymore in the role that put her on the map. There’s only a three and a half minute new scene added on to the original with state-of-the-art computer-generated enhancements that are supposed to reel us in, (like the signature shot of Elliot on his bicycle in front of the moon replaces a figurine with a real boy). Sure, it all helps. But, it’s the emotional heart-tug of sharing a movie with your child who wasn’t here twenty years ago and remembering how a brilliant new director named Steven became the great Spielberg.
