ET - The Extra-Terrestrial (Special Edition) (DVD)

Author's product rating:   

Did you enjoy it?	Loved it
Story	Outstanding
Characters / Performances	Outstanding
Special Effects	Outstanding
How does it compare to similar films?	Outstanding

Advantages:	Spielbergs loveable alien
Disadvantages:	He's not real !

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

E.T- The Extra Terrestrial Special Edition

This film is exactly the same age as me and I have grown up with this fantastic film shown on TV at every holiday occasion.

*It was nearly 3 years ago I bought this DVD but I can remember it was on a special limited offer in Tesco. I have searched around various sites and it's still cheaper in Tesco for £7.92 online or from Extra stores.

#Background information

The actual film is a Universal (Suitable for all) but the DVD box set is rated as PG (Parental Guidance) so parents may want to be nearby when the youngsters are watching it but, having seen this film countless amounts of times, I cannot really find a moment when they will be frightened. There are occasional very mild swear words and there is a very emotional scene during which parents may want to cuddle their children. I find that the film is generally suitable for children to view by themselves anyway.

Produced by Steven Spielberg and Kathleen Kennedy. This was Kathleen's first ever production and whilst Steven was already a big movie maker in his own right by this film, he expresses that ET is his most treasured all time movie. Having made "Close Encounters of the third kind" and "Jaws" Spielberg was certainly no stranger to robotics and science fiction. He beautifully combined outer space with a family life and created a film that people always want to talk about, and strangely, relate to!

The DVD I have is one of the 20th Anniversary releases with remastered scenes and cast interviews. The film was originally released in 1982 and this DVD released in 2002. Now it's almost 24 years old! There is another 20th Anniversary DVD set that features 3 discs also available.

ET is a film that combines clever robotics and electronics to create a very lifelike alien that befriends three children on Earth.

The movie was nominated for nine Academy Awards and five Golden Globes. It won many awards including Visual Effects, Score, and Best Motion Picture.

#The DVD box

Now this is a review in itself! The DVD is so well presented in its case. On the front cover you have the usual world- famous ET's finger touching Elliott's and in the background the silhouette bicycle scene over the moon. This is the scene that made a great cinema moment and is now the logo for Amblin Entertainment.

The words "Special Edition, Remastered, with unseen footage" is in a holographic strip across the top and a lovely feature on the box is the raised texture of the hands, the bicycle and ET.

Inside the cover slots a lovely box that opens out like a book to show two blue discs and a secret slot for a rather informative booklet. The booklet is delightful to read about the making of the film and the dream of the process.

#Cast

The main guys are:
1. Henry Thomas - Elliot, our star and ET's best friend. (Gangs of New York)
2. Drew Barrymore - Gertie, the youngest in Elliott's household (Never Been Kissed, 50 First Dates)
3. Robert MacNaughton - Michael, the eldest of the children, (several TV episodes)
4. Dee Wallace - Mary, the mother. (Several TV episodes such as Touched by an Angel)

I feel these are the only characters worth mentioning as they play the biggest parts in the films. On the documentary Spielberg says that "Keys" is a main character (played by Peter Coyote) and indeed he does play a large sentimental part at the end of the film, but as I watched the film I never became attached to him as I did with the other characters.

#Disc One

This contains the film, scene select, and a nice introduction by Steven Spielberg.

We start with a darkened scene showing plant-collecting funny shaped creatures. They hear noises made by men and flee in their spaceship, leaving the youngest of the creatures behind.
Afraid and lonely the young alien creature plods his way to a human village where he takes refuge in a barn.

Meanwhile we are introduced to the main characters in the family. They are gathered around a dinner table arguing over a pizza. In a rage Elliott (our main star -Henry Thomas) goes out to the garden where he meets the alien.
No body believes him so the alien is his secret which he keeps in the house.
Elliott spends all his time with the creature after faking an illness from school.
The two form almost a brother-ship bond and even though the alien never speaks, they communicate by touch and visual objects.
Elliot chooses a name for him - E.T.

Eventually the family stumble across him and quickly form a bond with the ET. Gertie, Elliott's younger sister immediately takes a liking to him but Michael, the older, teenage brother seems afraid of ET. Elliott reassures them both that the funny looking creature is safe and Elliott is looking after him.

After a crazy idea from Elliott, the pair decide to get in touch with ET's family and this involves several trips to the forest where he was left and various household tools. They create a satellite but is it too late? Time is getting on, rumours are travelling around the village and it's getting ever more difficult to hide the fact there's an alien out and about!

However, it all goes horribly wrong when scientists and the FBI discover the alien.
After a chase ET is forced to use his powers to escape the police force. Cinema history is made.

Will ET survive their cruel examinations? Will Elliott ever see his friend again? Will the satellite system ever reach ET's family?

*My favourite clip where I laughed uncontrollably was the introduction of Gertie and ET. They both scream at each other and his reactions are great! I think that's one of the major pulls to this film, the fact that ET reacts and learns just like a human.

There are several small additional scenes and two major new scenes included. The small scenes feature at the start and help us learn more about ET's farming culture. The two large scenes are of Elliott and ET and help us understand the bonding of the characters more. Throughout the movie I noticed very small extra footage.

#Disc Two

The special features disc. Before the load up there is a choice of eight languages to view in including Norwegian and Russian.
On the menu screen there are little clips from the film and a subtitles option.

"Evolution and Creation of ET" -

A beautiful documentary on where Spielberg's idea came from and how he chose his cast. There are cracking interviews with Henry Thomas, Drew Barrymore, Dee Wallace and various robotics engineers and artists involved.
Also on this are excellent hints to how ET was made and controlled robotically as well as digitally remastered for the re-release.
A great documentary that I thoroughly enjoyed. (Lasts for about an hour)

"The Reunion" -

A lovely group interview where all the cast and key production members reminisce and express their fond memories on the film and its following. This is very touching to hear their fondness of the movie and the bond they made with ET. (Lasts for around 20 minutes)

"The Music of John Williams" -

A fantastic interview with the composer of the moving, emotional score. It shows behind the scenes moments of John and his orchestra in the studios and how the put the score to the movie. I had goose-bumps many times here! (Lasts around 15 minutes)
The film won an Academy Award for Original score.

"The 20th Anniversary Premiere" -

Wow! This shows the effort put into the Anniversary screening. There was a live 100 piece Orchestra with John and it must have been an incredible experience to see the film as well as feel the music! Why do I feel like crying? I feel so happy!
The actor Peter Coyote introduces the extraordinary event to the public, and then afterwards the cast are introduced on stage by Steven. (Lasts about 25 minutes)

"Designs, photographs and marketing" -

I wasn't fussed on this section as it was a collection of sketches and ET dimensions. In this chapter there are several sub sections but all show stills. This could have been made so much better with perhaps a narrator, or music. Another thing is that there were far too many pictures and it dragged on a little.
One section I did like on this chapter was the merchandising bit showing toys, movie posters and various other memorabilia. I even saw a leather ET teddy that I gave to a jumble sale years ago - I wish I kept it now!!

"Space Exploration" -

Ok, I am faced with 9 planets, sun and moon. I choose Sun. This is a very comical feature on the DVD! ET's voice explains details on each. Not very entertaining for me personally, but I love the idea that it is a learning device for younger viewers.

"Trailers" -

There are 3 options. One is for the ET Theatrical trailer, 20th year re-release.
Another is for The Ubisoft Game, the last is for the "Back to the Future" movie.

"DVD - ROM Featuring Total Axess" -

This is far too technical for my little brain! It is a great idea that you can connect to the web site and see even more behind the scenes action, more interviews and interactive games.

#Technical information

The film runs for approximately 115 minutes (almost two hours).

www.et20.com is a cute little site dedicated to the remastered version, which shows animated clips of the film or events that took place around that time.
www.imdb.com is a very handy site for lists of cast members and nominations or awards this film received.

To run the DVD ROM you need Windows 95 or later and a DVD drive on your PC.

#Overall

This film is a magical, beautiful film of friendship, courage, adventure and heartbreak. There are so many emotions in this film and I find myself taking on board and sharing these emotions with the characters!

There are so many moments when I laughed at the clumsy alien and his whereabouts, and many moments I found myself gasping and "Ah"…ing!!
There are sad moments too, and these are very tearful and I couldn't help myself but to bawl my eyes out. Sometimes there are tears of joy too!

Having seen this film in its original state I was most impressed with the digital enhancements. They are subtle and do not over take the film. The background colours and scenery are more clear and ET has more facial expressions which I find contribute to the emotional connection of the audience and characters.
There are small added parts of each scene but I feel they are for the best and only enhance this wonderful film.

I was extremely impressed by this edition and the features are excellent. A nicely presented box case and a lengthy documentary and interviews which really brought a greater love for this film.

The music score is truly awesome throughout this film and the music really helps captivate the audience. The music somehow manages to portray sadness, joy, excitement and adventure and several occasions I had goose-bumps and prickly neck hairs from the music alone!

I love the concept that the alien is not cute and his actions resemble closely to a 9 year old child. I find myself thinking how ugly he looks but a huge part of me wants to reach out to him and be his friend. I love the facial expressions of ET and I enjoy his learning experiences during his short stay on Earth.

I was very impressed with this DVD and its excellent feature disc. I was happy with the extended scenes and noticed the enhancements and they do not change the film. (It would have spoilt it if any major changes took place!)

#Who's it for?

Anyone who has a heart and is not afraid to show any emotions in-front of others!!

Children will love this as ET is both comical and loveable and being as he is only a child himself, children relate to his learning processes, and recognise his activities. The actors put such great effort (most of it is real I may add!) into their emotions such as laughter and upset that the audience are captivated and want to join in with them.

Adults secretly love this film but for some reason, after a certain age they tend to go into a closet and don't admit it!! The film shows beautiful relationships and makes excellent snuggled up movie viewing. It's a film you don't have to concentrate on as the story line is basic, but then again, I find that it's a hard film not to concentrate on!

Boys will love this film as it's got cool spaceships and aliens yeah!
Girls will enjoy this as they tend to get more emotionally involved with films.
A film for all really!!

A fantastic, emotional DVD that should be in everybody's collection!

Thank you for reading!

Pictures thanks to www.imdb.com