Chris Stuckmann reviews E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, starring Henry Thomas, Dee Wallace, Robert MacNaughton, Drew Barrymore, Peter Coyote. Directed by Steven Spielberg.
I was raised a JW like Chris and to this day, I'm now 29, I have never gone trick or treating. I don't feel bad that I never did, but I when my kids are older I can't wait to go with them!
@@erikadlloyd5586Just an FYI - most countries don't celebrate Halloween, so most kids in the world never celebrate Halloween, including kids who may grow up to be fans of horror movies.
The fact that the flying bike ride scene has become part of Steven Spielberg's Amblin Entertainment logo shows how iconic the scene is that it's now part film production company
@@Ennahdee Nope, Bryan Singer's Bad Hat Harry Productions uses The Usual Suspect's line up scene as the main studio's logo as he directed that movie too
It's such a great movie. My favorite aspect of this film is the ending, particularly the raw sincerity behind each child actor's performance. Stephen Spielberg shot the movie chronologically to invoke the most genuine heartbreak.
ET is a 5.6 put of 10! The director did the best he could with what he had, in the end we get a snippet of what could have been and unfortunately we will never get what we always wanted.
Yeah, I was going to mention the shooting in the chronological order of the script thing. Done, as you said, to capture the real emotions of the kids at the end, as they knew the whole experience was almost over. And also, for a few other reasons. A big one was mostly due to Drew Barrymore. She was so little that Spielberg knew she would be lost if the movie was filmed out of order. He wanted her to experience the story like a kid hearing an adult tell them a bedtime story every night a bit at a time, so she always understood what had happened already, and was looking forward to finding out what happened next. Another reason was that he wanted the kids to feel the buildup and suspense to finally seeing the alien, and film their reactions when they did. None of them had any idea what E.T. looked like until the scene where each of them meets him. The takes in the movie may not be the actual takes of the very first time. I have no idea about that. But the fact that they had only just seen the puppet for the first time really comes across in their performances, nonetheless. To film a movie in chronological order increases the difficultly of the logistics and the cost of the production many times over. Instead of going to a location/set and filming every scene needed there, even ones separated by a lot of time in the story, and then being done, they had to keep going back each time. That's just crazy that he was allowed to spend that much of the budget and extend the time of production due to that one insistence to do it that way for reasons that would be rejected by most studios these days as artsy nonsense. And that's why we may never have movies like this again.
This is probably one of the most unique movies ever made. It has a whole different atmosphere and tone to it that you can't find in many other movies, and John Williams really contributed to it. It's really a masterpiece.
Love to see the respect this movie gets, Your right it is a masterpiece and I've heard so many times people describe it as a kids movie but that's just a blind persons view, If you look beyond that it's set around kids it has many meanings to it and it resonates with all ages, a true cinematic masterpiece without doubt 👌🏻
Hit the nail on the head! This movie definitely speaks more to the loners. As a kid, I never felt like I fit in, and even as an adult, I still don't. ET definitely gave me that feeling of connection to something that's from out of this world. It's quite poetic how Elliot felt more connected to someone who wasn't human, and wasn't from his planet.
I am a 53 year old man sipping some coffee at a Coffee Bean in Los Angeles, and watching that old school trailler and your review got me all teary eyed. E.T. is pure magic. Thank you for this review.
I’m so happy that you’re able to experience trick-or-treating! I know it sucks that you were restricted from participating as a child yourself, but to get to finally experience it first hand as well as through the eyes of your own children is so lovely ❤ 😭
ET was so important to my childhood. I still remember watching this at the drive in. The ending always makes me tear up. John Williams score combined with ET telling Elliot the he’ll be right here while pointing at Elliot’s heart is just so beautiful!
They don't make beautiful movies like this anymore. E.T. is a masterpiece and one of Steven Spielberg's all time best. Thanks for reviewing Chris, glad that you had a great time with it 🤗
Check out "Where the Wild Things Are" by Spike Jonze after the book by Maurice Sendak. It is another movie that captures what being a child can be like, and it also has likeable creatures that are out of this world. But here it is the child that feels abandoned and has to travel to another world in order to feel less alone. It's almost twenty years old by now, but it gives me hope that similar films might still get made.
Chris just revealing that he finally got to trick or treat with his kids for the first time brought a big smile on my face and honestly made me tear up. I have strong memories of trick or treating. Also ET is a classic.
This film to me is a perfect masterpiece. When people talk about their childhood and how wizard of Oz deeply affected them growing up, I tell people that ET is my wizard of Oz. There is no other movie I have seen more times than ET and there is no film that makes me cry more than ET does. When I saw this movie in IMAX, I spent the last half of this movie balling my eyes out. Shame on those people that don't give it the love and appreciation that it so clearly deserves.
This is my all-time favorite movie. My daughter just turned 2 and she was completely enamored with the kids and E.T. I’ve always thought of it as a childhood fantasy come true. It certainly helped me feel like I had a friend during my parents decade-long divorce process. I can play the music and put myself into the exact part of the movie. I watch it at least a few times a year and every time it plays at the theater.
ET has everything you want from a great movie, great characters, superb performances, expert production and direction, a dramatic and heartfelt story..,and that incredible score...one of those rare movies that gets better with time....absolute classic
Chris Stuckmann, I'm crying too! That's so beautiful that your first time Trick or Treating is as a parent! So happy to hear about that Spiritual freedom you've gained, or even felt right to share with us! It's so beautiful to see someone freed! Love this movie too, ET is a classic
1982 has some of the greatest film scores in cinema history: E.T. by John Williams; Conan the Barbarian by Basil Poledouris; The Wrath of Khan by James Horner; Blade Runner by Vangelis; First Blood, Poltergeist, & The Secret of NIMH by Jerry Goldsmith; etc...
I got to meet Steven Spielberg virtually during COVID & got to tell him that ET was my favorite movie by him. I was privileged to hear from him how personal the film was to him. I rewatched ET after my interview with him & could not stop balling my eyes out at the end. Every time I rewatch it, the ending always makes me cry. I think of my childhood and where I am now and the future when I witness the ending. One of the best films ever made!
About 15 years ago, my wife was able to witness a groups of middle school students seeing "Raiders of the Lost Ark" for the first time. They were transported, and asked where she had found this unknown gem. And history moves on.
I saw this when it was re-released last year. Obviously it's irreplaceable in pop culture, but it truly is one of the best movies of all time. I think some people dismiss it a bit for being a 'kids' movie, but everything, especially the kid's performances are just so well done
Chris, as a dad myself, those points about parenting are so true 😂. ET is so iconic and I can relate to that sense of being a loner. Great video and Happy Halloween!
I finally watched ET for the first time at 28 years old this year. I was able to check it out from the library and without question has become one of my all-time favorite films. I'm glad it never got sequelized or rebooted and stands on its own.
I saw this film in theatres, at the time I had no idea it was a rerelease, it was in I believe 2003. It was so great, and a memory I cherish with my mother, whom I miss every day, she passed last October. Thank you for this review Chris
I’m so sorry that you didn’t get to go trick or treating when you were younger, Chris! I also grew up very religious (Christianity) and was also not allowed to trick or treat either! My partner had a similar experience! There’s plenty of us recovering from the harmful effects of religion! Lol Glad you can take your kids now! Also, glad you’re reviewing such a classic!
I found this movie creepy as a kid. I always felt at ANY second E.T. was gonna eat people. Lol The opening scene of him wondering in the woods sent chills down my spine…probably why I never looked at this film so fondly growing up.
I use to love the movie when I was a kid but one day I jst got freaked out by ET that’s everyone I watched it I get chills on the part wen he surprises Elliot in the corn stalks or wen he watching him sleep outside n put candy on his blanket fuuuuuuk that gives me goosebumps thinkin about it typing this right now and I’m 32 already!!!!!!😂
I was terribly afraid of ET when I was a wee lad. Wasn't until highschool that I actually borrowed the movie from a friend so I could finally finish it. Plus, I was finally into horror movies then, so watching ET became easier at that point. Haha
@@kingslayer2999 it's set at Halloween, they Trick or Treat. Just because it's not a horror doesn't mean it should be disqualified. Die Hard is a Christmas movie, and E.T. is a Halloween movie lol.
Chris, it is always such a pleasure to watch your annual Halloween special. I love your picks and your thoughts and now I have more horror movies to add to my watchlist. I'm glad you finally got to go trick or treating. Happy Halloween!
I have a confession... Although I was born in 1975, I've never seen E.T. in its entirety. So many of the big moments have been spoiled for me, over the past 40 years, that it hasn't seemed worth it; but, this review has me thinking about it. 🤔 Thank you for the past month, Chris. This has been fun!!
I am so glad you got to experience this. I am so glad you are out of there and are now free. Also seeing E.T as a kid was how I found out about Trick or Treat. I always wanted to do that as a kid but it was not a thing in my country. We have gone a few years but not many people are in on it but yesterday we went Trick or Treating and it was magic: kids and adults dressed in costumes everywhere and most houses being in on it. I almost cried with joy. I have been the one to hand out candy for years but yesterday was my first real trick or treating too.
Not being a JW is freedom! The witnesses teach that they're free to do what they want But their freedom comes with guilt trips and restrictions Which isn't freedom at all
I watched this movie with a full orchestra playing the John Williams score in front of screen and it was beyond magical, tears through the whole movie!
Chris I appreciate how transparent and vulnerable you were about not getting to experience Halloween as a kid. I never got to trick-r-treat as a kid cause my mom thought every candy was poisoned/tampered with. I’m in my 20s, but I still dress up and sometimes will trick-r-treat to fill that void as a kid.
This movie terrified me as a kid, when E.T. gets sick i thought he had gone feral or had rabies and was gonna attack everyone. I had seen alien for the first time a year earlier but was ok with that....great movie.
E.T may be the scariest movie I've ever seen, it gave me sooo many nightmares as a child. I have seen some truly great horror movies throughout my life but none of them have come close to making me feel like alot of scenes in E.T do 😅 if I feel like being scared on a dark night I won't put on Alien or something similar, ital be E.T 😜 the scene when he's waddling towards Eliot outside at night always reminds me of the Grey Children from Silent Hill and makes my heart stop 🥶 so many unsettling scenes and I also find Elliot creepy as hell 🤣 I never got any charming kinda feeling from this movie, even with the amazing soundtrack trying to convince me otherwise near the end 😜 it is an amazing movie, but I don't consider it one for the same reasons most people do 🤣
I saw this on its original release. A packed theater in 82. Saw it again in a packed theater in 2022. And it wasn’t all middle aged people! Lots of ages. So the fan base is pretty varied and thriving. The company “la la land” released an expanded and remastered E.T soundtrack CD and it is amazing. Along with CE3K, its one of Williams best scores. This movie is special to me. I think I saw it at an age where it just blew my mind and embedded itself there forever. I’ve lost track of the times I’ve purchased it on various formats.
I'm so glad you have the chance to do this man. I have great memories of making costumes with my dad and walking proudly thtough the neighborhood with a homemade costume. I'm 41 and don't have kids. I'd love to experience that again but it's not in the cards for me. I'm glad you get to have that now. Really happy for you brother.
Happy Halloween, Chris! I am so glad you talked about this movie. I remember the first time I ever saw it, a child myself, and how devastating it was to think we might lose ET and then I how amazing it was that he made it home and then, of course as I’ve grown up the movie just becomes that much more emotionally stirring. When I listen to the soundtrack and the opening score my heart pounds when ET is running through the woods, trying to get back to his ship before he stranded on earth. And when I listen to that last long track, including the escape, and getting back to the spaceship, that sense of calm when the ship is gliding down and ET looks up and blinks his eyes. Just everything. It is a masterpiece. And so now I will be watching ET tonight. Thanks! ❤
Not only is this my favorite film of all time, I truly believe it has the best opening of all time. The slow atmosphere of the woods with Williams' score as you slowly lurk towards the ship, on the ship, around the other aliens in shadow, then E.T. himself wandering alone, admiring the peaceful neighborhood lights. Only to be uprooted from that peace when the government guys show up and then uh-oh, what's happening? The ship is not only leaving but their heart glow is giving away E.T.'s position who in a panic has to run back before they leave. And he doesn't make it. You see him defeated, sadly wandering toward the neighborhood he found comfort in. It's perfect to me.
My best friend growing up, Sarah, *loved* this movie when we were kids and I never got it, I always thought it was so cheesy and overrated - but it was her movie. She passed away a few years ago and I haven't been able to bring myself to watch it again since because it felt like it'd be too painful. But after watching this and hearing how passionate Chris is about it and how much it meant to him helped me understand why Sarah loved it so much and I think I might be ready to give it a rewatch again
I remember as a kid having an ET doll. I carried it everywhere. This is such a special movie and deserves all the praise it gets. ET is in my Top 10 list. Also...hard not to cry at the end. One of the few movies that still makes me cry.
What I love most about this movie is the depiction of the sibling relationships. The teasing and loyalty they show each other reminds me a lot of my siblings. One of my favorites!
This is one of those movies I never understood any hate towards. It is just one of the most wholesome films ever about finding connections when lonely, protecting the innocent and helpless when others can't and E.T. is just so adorable and you want to see him get home in the end. It is not my favourite Spielberg movie, as I prefer Jaws, Raiders of the Lost Ark, The Last Crusade, Jurassic Park and Catch Me if You Can, but it is ranked very close at number 6 for me and means so much to me, especially with how lonely I have been feeling most of my life. Probably Jehovah's Witnesses just never felt lonely, but loneliness is something that a lot of people experience and should be at least understood even by people who have a lot of friends. I never understood why this is somehow never talked about enough nowadays, because shows like Stranger Things and even other somewhat unrelated movies like WALL-E (the character of whom was somewhat inspired by E.T's design) wouldn't exist without this.
The movie just bleeds with that perfect 80s creativity and uniqueness. Leans on great child acting. Feels believable in a very unbelievable way. I miss movies like this.
And this classic produced one of Roger Ebert's most beautiful and best reviews. When he talked about it in his Great Movies column, he wrote about the film in the form of a letter to his young grandchildren, who had just seen the film with him and his family. He mentions Spielberg's masterful POV choices.
I love you Chris, you're such a good spirited, kind and overall just a good person. I've been following you for about 10 years and commenting from time to time. October is BY FAR my favourite month of the year and part of that is because I grew up watching your Halloween Special series, it always feels very special when the spookie season comes and this tradition starts, it feels really cozy and exciting. This year's special was great, probably one of the best. I feel kinda weird writing this comment because I don't like to follow or idolize people on the internet, but when so much time passes and traditions are made between a person and his audience it's difficult not to feel some sort of connection. Thank you Chris, I'm really happy about your first time Trick-or-Treating btw. Thank you for this year's great Halloween Special, for real.
Man, I love hearing new things about your life story. I’m so glad you finally got to experience trick or treat, and with your kids no less. I was 6 and a half when E.T. Came out. It’s the movie that made me fall in love with going to the movies. I still try to watch it every Halloween.
ET has become one of the most underrated and forgotten movies of all time, which is insane considering how popular it was at the time. The soundtrack to ET is still one of the greatest, most emotional scores ever composed
Special times with our children is what life is all about man! This was my first Halloween in Stow, it was beautiful and felt like a scene from a movie.
I’ve always said that ET isn’t my favorite Spielberg film, but I would say that it is his BEST film. So much emotion in this film. And coming from a divorced home and being a loner, you’re right Chris, this film hits different.
I was lucky enough to meet John Williams two years ago at Juilliard. What you said about Spielberg letting John do the music and editing around it is true. John had such enthusiasm when talking about it
I too, also wore out my VHS copy of this movie. It was a go-to movie for me as a kid before I had any siblings. Showing some of those scenes got me real emotional just now, I think because this movie reminds me of my Mom.
It's wild to hear you talk about how your kids have already been around for more than one halloween! Crazy how time flies! Can't wait to see what your costumes are going to be in the upcoming years!!!
His wikipedia page says his sons, who are twins, were born in 2021 So, they're little babies! I'm sure they were adorable in their little costumes! I wonder what he and his wife were!
Bud, thank you so much for all of the fantastic Halloween content every year! Watching your videos is always a fantastic way to stay engaged with the festivities all month long. It was heartwarming to hear your trick-or-treating story 🙏🏻 💀 👻 🎃
E.T was the only movie that my mom let me cut school to go watch. It was my grandmother, my mom and me. We went to the movies and afterwards, we stopped and ate at Dennys. I didn't know that was going to be the last time I'd ever see my grandma. I didn't even get to say goodbye to her. My mom hid that she was sick from me. I'm not sure if my older brother knew she was dying or not. Anyway, I kinda keep E.T close to my heart and always have. I know I loved that movie as a little kid and I have always refused to rewatch it, cause of that awesome day we had together. Take it easy and ✌️
Love the new tradition! I always love seeing people’s costumes so that’ll be fun to look forward to. Plus it’s more fun than making you watch Halloween movies you don’t like rather than watching the good ones.
The only movie which I recall scaring me as a little kid, the glowing shed scene in particular, fear of the unknown and all that. And ironically the movie which in 1982 overshadowed what is now my favourite movie - The Thing And as a fellow of the 'raised as a JW' club, I also took part in my first ever Halloween this year with my patina'd '68 Lincoln dressed up for a Halloween cruise along with myself and my nephew dressed as backwoods maniacs xD
The Halloween part, and the beggining with the kids ordering pizza and fucking around are my favourite parts of the movie. I think the final act is very emotional too. And very unique in terms of collaboration, collaboration of many different pop culture references.
We appreciate you for all of your hard work Chris! I really look forward to these every Halloween. As someone who was eight when this was released and saw it in the theater, I can tell you it was an emotional roller coaster. It was the first time I cried watching a movie. I was also fortunate enough to have seen the original Star Wars trilogy in the theater. I dressed up as Darth Vader for one of those Halloweens as well. My childhood was very different than yours.
As someone who has loved your content and been inspired by it, your opening bit about getting to go with your kids has got me tearing up. I'm so happy for you, thanks for all the years of incredible content and here's to another amazing Halloween special!
E.T is the first thing I can remember, sat in the cinema with my mum, about 5yrs old, both crying at the end when ET has to go home 😂. I remember being completely mesmerised, I think films had an important part in my life from that moment on. Phenomenal film, and parts of the score still brings tears to my eyes every time I hear it. Happy Halloween everyone 🕸️👻🎃
I am so glad Chris has the same amount of love for Halloween that I do, even if he didn't get to trick or treat when he was a kid. Congrats to your first time and to many more!
I was fortunate enough to be 7 years old when ET was released and see it on the big screen. I've not seen it in full since and yet I have fond memories of it. Perhaps being an only child meant it resonated with me.
This is my favorite movie of all time. I wore the shit out of my VHS of it and I watched it repeatedly as a child. I loved it. I definitely felt connected to Elliot because I felt like I was a loser and a loner as a kid. It made me feel like someone understood how hard it was being a kid because being a kid is difficult and trying a lot of the times and I feel like most media doesn’t capture that. I feel like a lot of media is made from the perspective that being a kid is always fun and the innocent time in your life but for me it was very challenging and even though the movie was made by adults it feels like it was made for kids by kids. Idk I love this movie, and the ride!
First movie I saw in theaters. Mom and I were turned away the first night because it sold out. Went back the next night and this is the film that spawned my love for theaters and movies in general. Thank you for reviewing E.T., Chris! Another great Halloween special!
The Stuckmann Halloween Special is one of the reasons I look forward to this season. You absolutely killed it again, sir! Thanks so much for your excellemt content!!!
This video was just gold. thank you Chris. I think ET is was the movie I cried the most in my life. And of course, Mr John Williams is a big part of those tears.
So excited to talk about my favorite movie of all time with a hopefully a genuinely great audience and fan base who will totally get my personal experience! Thanks for loving and sharing about this movie too, Chris! And so excited for your first trick or treat experience too. It's more magical with your kids for sure! E.T. is my favorite movie of all time, and I was born 10 years after it came out. And watched it for the first time at 10 years old at the 20th anniversary theater release in 2002. My younger brother was terrified of E.T., but I was captivated. Like Chris says, the score is the #1 reason why- if it had any music from it's time period (the 80's) in it, it would instantly date it. Just like I think Star Wars wouldn't be as big as it is now if it had 70's songs in the it (like the Holiday Special, cough). The E.T. score keeps it timeless, but also, the way it pulls you in emotionally--the flight sequences as well as the saying goodbye at the end, it's impossible for me not to get goosebumps. John Williams is simply a musical genius, and in my opinion, the best composer of our lifetime. To those who never got this movie-I think like Chris says, it reaches out to the loners, but also those who are very melancholy as people. I know friends who just don't understand why I love this movie so much, and those type of people are all similar in terms of that they are aren't very... emotional people. They aren't as in depth with their emotions ,and not ones who tend to be nostalgic (not in a critical way at all, just more logical as people), whereas I personally am so emotionally invested, perhaps to a fault, in too many things, and very melancholic with my thinking and feelings. The forest scenes, the flying, the E.T. dying scene, the saying goodbye at the end, even the halloween scene, so many moments here where it just tugs at my heartstrings and I allow myself to just FEEL in a way that it is hard to feel in most other movies. Chris also hit the nail on the head in terms of seeing different things as parent. Everything he mentions of Dee Wallace and her scenes are spot on. I saw this as a 10 year old, and now I see this movie as a mom myself, and Dee Wallace really does need more acclaim. When she gets on her knees at the end as Chris says, that truly hits a deep nerve now as a mom myself. And the "penis breath" smirk she makes-- Chris couldn't have said it better. As a teen and now as an adult to this day, I still listen to the soundtrack, especially when I'm out in the forest, at night, looking at the stars-- dreaming, feeling, thinking... this movie and its score embodies the childlike magic and wonder of childhood-- let's make sure we keep that in our hearts and not let growing up remove this needed part of us.
Oh Chris, I'm so happy for you. Part of me is sad that you never got to experience Trick-or-Treating as a kid, but wow, sharing that first experience with your own kids? I can't imagine how magical that must have been for you, and I know you'll remember this night for the rest of your life. I wish you and your family many Happy Halloweens to come, and many years of building happy memories together.
*_It's 2023, either you didn't figure out the movie, or you skipped that class in "Film Analysis 101": The movie is about a boy loosing his dog, the dog dies and he makes up a fantasy world to cope. Cut end scene is Elliot at his shrinks/his principals office, played by Harrison Ford and they are discussing this. There is a scene where you see it's Ford, with his feet up on the desk._*
Wow, had me almost emotional there at points, Chris, so happy for ya! Times are a bitdifficult for me atm, but it's always such a delight to catch a new video from the special, here's looking forward to an ever better year and special next year:)
Good for you, man! My first trick or treat, I was 10 years old, fresh out of the cult with my parents who had just finally left it. I went as Harry Potter, kind of like a double-down on the "evil satanic pagan heresy" lol. And ET has always been a special movie to me, too. Also, it's gotta be like a horror gateway drug, 'cause that first third or so is freaking CREEPY! I'd say it's like the best kid-friendly horror film 'cause all throughout there's moments of major eeriness, but instead of the usual horror tragedy, it ends with a lot of heart. Like it starts as a horror film and then blossoms into this beautiful and compelling adventure.
Just to say Thank you Chris for another Halloween special, 9 years in a row this has become another big tradition in my life. Like you I also experience my first trick or trick 4 years ago with my daughter (in my country we don't have Halloween) and it's something special.
I cried when you said this was your first time getting to go trick or treat, it makes me so sad that cults like the Jehova's Witnesses can rob children of such experiences. I'm so glad you left them and are happy and successful with Sam and your kids, you really deserve it Chris. Happy Halloween to you and your family!
I took this movie for granted when I was younger. For whatever reason, i decided to watch it again today. And once I finished, I had a whole new appreciation for it. Who would have guessed my favorite movie reviewer was gonna make a video about it so close to when I gave it another chance? Thanks, man.
My wife is from Japan, and although Halloween has become more of a thing there now (albeit there is still not anything approaching kids trick or treating yet, if it ever even does), Halloween was not even an adult costume dress-up party-like holiday (as it is now) when she was growing up. She and I have been married for 11 years, and she has lived in the U.S. now for about 15 years, so she has gotten accustomed to our American Halloween customs. This year our son was finally old enough to go trick or treating as well and like you it was both his first year doing so as well as my wife's, so hearing you talk about your experience this year with your kids was very touching to hear. Also, E.T. is my absolute favorite film from childhood, and I too wore out my cooy of the green edged vhs tape. I absolutely cannot wait to share the film with my son, though maybe not for another year or two since he is probably still too young for it at 2-and-a-half. Happy Halloween, Stuckmann!
Great choice on your costume for your first Halloween Chris! I hope you and your kids had a great trick or treat experience for the first time this year!!! This is my first post ever on RUclips, but I have enjoyed your reviews and take on movies for a long, long time. I am 49 from Australia and took my kids to LA in 2017 just to experience a real US Halloween (at a Disneyland Halloween Party though (so not that real) … but it was GREAT). I totally agree with all your comments in this ET review. My kids gave me ET on 4K for my birthday this year. This movie gives me the same emotions as you. And how good was Dee Wallace, brilliant, agree. And John Williams is my favourite film composer and I reiterate the awesome trivia stat you described that Steven Spielberg and Carol Littleton cut the ending to the film actually to John W’s score! All the best, and thanks again.
E.T is definitely not just a John Williams triumph. Spielberg's directorial finesse shines throughout the film, extending well beyond its climactic moments. A close examination of the subtle intricacies woven into the domestic and scholastic settings reveals masterful camera work, meticulous precision, and pioneering cinematography (remember we're early 1980s here). Add to these some of the most exceptional performances ever delivered by a young cast - a testament to Spielberg's ability to guide young talents. The film boasts a continuous stream of small comedic gems and delightful surprises, ensuring that even during the quieter, less action-packed moments, the audience remains fully engaged. ET is a cinematic masterpiece that deserves its place in the annals of film history and should serve as an indispensable learning tool for future generations of aspiring filmmakers.
I love your reviews. It hypes me up to watch it again. I especially love the new tradition. Fun fact: My husband tried out for the bike stunts as a teen. He was a BMX champion and was considered too tall for the part at 14. I don't get to brag about that often so I appreciate doing it here.
I love Stuckmann's positive energy. It is such a joy to see creators who genuinely love film, want films to be good and try to find positives even in movies that are...let's say not great. And ET is such a fun movie.
Chris! You made me cry the ugly cry!!!😢 God bless your little boy/proud daddy heart!! ENJOY!!!!!! I remember watching this with my small sons ( now in their 40s) and how enchanted they were by it-except that backyard Reese’s Pieces scene. Their dad and I went to see it before we brought them. Loved it the second time. Enjoyed watching my granddaughter experience it for the first time too.
So crazy that a huge horror fan like Chris never got to experience Halloween! So glad you got to experience it with your kids.
That's how it is if you're raised a JW.
Hell YES!!!!!!!👍. Chris Stickman for president!
I mean why its a big deal? I never went for trick or treating either
I was raised a JW like Chris and to this day, I'm now 29, I have never gone trick or treating. I don't feel bad that I never did, but I when my kids are older I can't wait to go with them!
@@erikadlloyd5586Just an FYI - most countries don't celebrate Halloween, so most kids in the world never celebrate Halloween, including kids who may grow up to be fans of horror movies.
The fact that the flying bike ride scene has become part of Steven Spielberg's Amblin Entertainment logo shows how iconic the scene is that it's now part film production company
So true
Is it the only production company to use a scene from a film?
@@Ennahdee Nope, Bryan Singer's Bad Hat Harry Productions uses The Usual Suspect's line up scene as the main studio's logo as he directed that movie too
@@Bjork4s Forgot about that one
It's such a great movie. My favorite aspect of this film is the ending, particularly the raw sincerity behind each child actor's performance. Stephen Spielberg shot the movie chronologically to invoke the most genuine heartbreak.
I agree
ET is a 5.6 put of 10! The director did the best he could with what he had, in the end we get a snippet of what could have been and unfortunately we will never get what we always wanted.
Yeah, I was going to mention the shooting in the chronological order of the script thing. Done, as you said, to capture the real emotions of the kids at the end, as they knew the whole experience was almost over.
And also, for a few other reasons.
A big one was mostly due to Drew Barrymore. She was so little that Spielberg knew she would be lost if the movie was filmed out of order. He wanted her to experience the story like a kid hearing an adult tell them a bedtime story every night a bit at a time, so she always understood what had happened already, and was looking forward to finding out what happened next.
Another reason was that he wanted the kids to feel the buildup and suspense to finally seeing the alien, and film their reactions when they did. None of them had any idea what E.T. looked like until the scene where each of them meets him. The takes in the movie may not be the actual takes of the very first time. I have no idea about that. But the fact that they had only just seen the puppet for the first time really comes across in their performances, nonetheless.
To film a movie in chronological order increases the difficultly of the logistics and the cost of the production many times over. Instead of going to a location/set and filming every scene needed there, even ones separated by a lot of time in the story, and then being done, they had to keep going back each time. That's just crazy that he was allowed to spend that much of the budget and extend the time of production due to that one insistence to do it that way for reasons that would be rejected by most studios these days as artsy nonsense. And that's why we may never have movies like this again.
@@michael-4k4000ok, your the minority ..
This is probably one of the most unique movies ever made. It has a whole different atmosphere and tone to it that you can't find in many other movies, and John Williams really contributed to it. It's really a masterpiece.
@@Totttty55jurassic park is so overrated
Being called “penis breath” is NOT funny!!!!
Love to see the respect this movie gets, Your right it is a masterpiece and I've heard so many times people describe it as a kids movie but that's just a blind persons view, If you look beyond that it's set around kids it has many meanings to it and it resonates with all ages, a true cinematic masterpiece without doubt 👌🏻
Imo it’s the most quintessential “hiding something” movie but it’s not unique
@@androognoix1685It’s very unique because it’s a kids movie with an ominous, edgy atmosphere. The filmmaking is off the charts.
Hit the nail on the head! This movie definitely speaks more to the loners. As a kid, I never felt like I fit in, and even as an adult, I still don't. ET definitely gave me that feeling of connection to something that's from out of this world. It's quite poetic how Elliot felt more connected to someone who wasn't human, and wasn't from his planet.
I can relate too
Same here.
Me four.
I am a 53 year old man sipping some coffee at a Coffee Bean in Los Angeles, and watching that old school trailler and your review got me all teary eyed. E.T. is pure magic. Thank you for this review.
I’m so happy that you’re able to experience trick-or-treating! I know it sucks that you were restricted from participating as a child yourself, but to get to finally experience it first hand as well as through the eyes of your own children is so lovely ❤ 😭
I agree! I'm so happy for Chris!
The JW take the fun out of everything!
@@cheneethompson5756They are a cult
ET was so important to my childhood. I still remember watching this at the drive in. The ending always makes me tear up. John Williams score combined with ET telling Elliot the he’ll be right here while pointing at Elliot’s heart is just so beautiful!
They don't make beautiful movies like this anymore. E.T. is a masterpiece and one of Steven Spielberg's all time best. Thanks for reviewing Chris, glad that you had a great time with it 🤗
Check out "Where the Wild Things Are" by Spike Jonze after the book by Maurice Sendak. It is another movie that captures what being a child can be like, and it also has likeable creatures that are out of this world. But here it is the child that feels abandoned and has to travel to another world in order to feel less alone. It's almost twenty years old by now, but it gives me hope that similar films might still get made.
Chris just revealing that he finally got to trick or treat with his kids for the first time brought a big smile on my face and honestly made me tear up. I have strong memories of trick or treating. Also ET is a classic.
Halloween is awesome! The JW religion is nuts!
Chris made me tear up with happiness!
It warmed my heart when Chris mentioned the Flick Pick, I miss that duo so much, we need more collaborations
yeah, their relationship is weird these days
John flickinger went downhill. He's a sellout.
@@azula3906 how?
@@carter_lovejoyyeah I'm curious too, how?
@@azula3906How so? He seems the opposite of that.
This film to me is a perfect masterpiece. When people talk about their childhood and how wizard of Oz deeply affected them growing up, I tell people that ET is my wizard of Oz. There is no other movie I have seen more times than ET and there is no film that makes me cry more than ET does. When I saw this movie in IMAX, I spent the last half of this movie balling my eyes out. Shame on those people that don't give it the love and appreciation that it so clearly deserves.
This is my all-time favorite movie. My daughter just turned 2 and she was completely enamored with the kids and E.T. I’ve always thought of it as a childhood fantasy come true. It certainly helped me feel like I had a friend during my parents decade-long divorce process. I can play the music and put myself into the exact part of the movie. I watch it at least a few times a year and every time it plays at the theater.
ET has everything you want from a great movie, great characters, superb performances, expert production and direction, a dramatic and heartfelt story..,and that incredible score...one of those rare movies that gets better with time....absolute classic
Chris Stuckmann, I'm crying too! That's so beautiful that your first time Trick or Treating is as a parent! So happy to hear about that Spiritual freedom you've gained, or even felt right to share with us! It's so beautiful to see someone freed! Love this movie too, ET is a classic
1982 has some of the greatest film scores in cinema history: E.T. by John Williams; Conan the Barbarian by Basil Poledouris; The Wrath of Khan by James Horner; Blade Runner by Vangelis; First Blood, Poltergeist, & The Secret of NIMH by Jerry Goldsmith; etc...
I got to meet Steven Spielberg virtually during COVID & got to tell him that ET was my favorite movie by him. I was privileged to hear from him how personal the film was to him. I rewatched ET after my interview with him & could not stop balling my eyes out at the end. Every time I rewatch it, the ending always makes me cry. I think of my childhood and where I am now and the future when I witness the ending. One of the best films ever made!
Everytime I hear the John Williams score my eyes start to tear up. One of the best movies of all time!
I welled up right away at that clip of John Williams live.
About 15 years ago, my wife was able to witness a groups of middle school students seeing "Raiders of the Lost Ark" for the first time. They were transported, and asked where she had found this unknown gem. And history moves on.
I saw this when it was re-released last year. Obviously it's irreplaceable in pop culture, but it truly is one of the best movies of all time. I think some people dismiss it a bit for being a 'kids' movie, but everything, especially the kid's performances are just so well done
Chris, as a dad myself, those points about parenting are so true 😂. ET is so iconic and I can relate to that sense of being a loner. Great video and Happy Halloween!
I finally watched ET for the first time at 28 years old this year. I was able to check it out from the library and without question has become one of my all-time favorite films. I'm glad it never got sequelized or rebooted and stands on its own.
I saw this film in theatres, at the time I had no idea it was a rerelease, it was in I believe 2003. It was so great, and a memory I cherish with my mother, whom I miss every day, she passed last October. Thank you for this review Chris
Sorry for your loss, it is great you and your mom shared such a great experience!
I’m so sorry that you didn’t get to go trick or treating when you were younger, Chris! I also grew up very religious (Christianity) and was also not allowed to trick or treat either! My partner had a similar experience! There’s plenty of us recovering from the harmful effects of religion! Lol Glad you can take your kids now!
Also, glad you’re reviewing such a classic!
I found this movie creepy as a kid. I always felt at ANY second E.T. was gonna eat people. Lol The opening scene of him wondering in the woods sent chills down my spine…probably why I never looked at this film so fondly growing up.
I use to love the movie when I was a kid but one day I jst got freaked out by ET that’s everyone I watched it I get chills on the part wen he surprises Elliot in the corn stalks or wen he watching him sleep outside n put candy on his blanket fuuuuuuk that gives me goosebumps thinkin about it typing this right now and I’m 32 already!!!!!!😂
I was terribly afraid of ET when I was a wee lad. Wasn't until highschool that I actually borrowed the movie from a friend so I could finally finish it. Plus, I was finally into horror movies then, so watching ET became easier at that point. Haha
Finally, someone calls ET a Halloween movie 🙌
It isn't one tho
@@kingslayer2999 it's set at Halloween, they Trick or Treat. Just because it's not a horror doesn't mean it should be disqualified. Die Hard is a Christmas movie, and E.T. is a Halloween movie lol.
@@stripeytapir Scent of a Woman is a Thanksgiving movie? The Fugitive is a St. Patrick's Day movie? Jaws is an Independence Day movie?
@@kingslayer2999if die hard is a Christmas movie, ET is a Halloween movie.
Agreed! We watch it every Halloween! :) It fits right into fall that way too, with the forest scenes and such as well.
Chris, it is always such a pleasure to watch your annual Halloween special. I love your picks and your thoughts and now I have more horror movies to add to my watchlist. I'm glad you finally got to go trick or treating. Happy Halloween!
I have a confession... Although I was born in 1975, I've never seen E.T. in its entirety. So many of the big moments have been spoiled for me, over the past 40 years, that it hasn't seemed worth it; but, this review has me thinking about it. 🤔
Thank you for the past month, Chris. This has been fun!!
I am so glad you got to experience this. I am so glad you are out of there and are now free. Also seeing E.T as a kid was how I found out about Trick or Treat. I always wanted to do that as a kid but it was not a thing in my country. We have gone a few years but not many people are in on it but yesterday we went Trick or Treating and it was magic: kids and adults dressed in costumes everywhere and most houses being in on it. I almost cried with joy. I have been the one to hand out candy for years but yesterday was my first real trick or treating too.
Not being a JW is freedom!
The witnesses teach that they're free to do what they want
But their freedom comes with guilt trips and restrictions
Which isn't freedom at all
I watched this movie with a full orchestra playing the John Williams score in front of screen and it was beyond magical, tears through the whole movie!
Been watching you since like 2015, so dope how much you have grown and started your own family. Happy for you man, keep doing your thing
Chris I appreciate how transparent and vulnerable you were about not getting to experience Halloween as a kid. I never got to trick-r-treat as a kid cause my mom thought every candy was poisoned/tampered with. I’m in my 20s, but I still dress up and sometimes will trick-r-treat to fill that void as a kid.
This movie terrified me as a kid, when E.T. gets sick i thought he had gone feral or had rabies and was gonna attack everyone. I had seen alien for the first time a year earlier but was ok with that....great movie.
E.T. Is probably my favorite movie ever. It was everything comedy, action, adventure and even horror if you watched this as a kid.
I sobbed this whole review practically. Such a great film, incredible score, and congrats on your first trick-or-treating experience, Chris! :)
Chris it was awesome seeing you review so much in a month. Loved every second of it
E.T may be the scariest movie I've ever seen, it gave me sooo many nightmares as a child. I have seen some truly great horror movies throughout my life but none of them have come close to making me feel like alot of scenes in E.T do 😅 if I feel like being scared on a dark night I won't put on Alien or something similar, ital be E.T 😜 the scene when he's waddling towards Eliot outside at night always reminds me of the Grey Children from Silent Hill and makes my heart stop 🥶 so many unsettling scenes and I also find Elliot creepy as hell 🤣 I never got any charming kinda feeling from this movie, even with the amazing soundtrack trying to convince me otherwise near the end 😜 it is an amazing movie, but I don't consider it one for the same reasons most people do 🤣
I saw this on its original release. A packed theater in 82. Saw it again in a packed theater in 2022. And it wasn’t all middle aged people! Lots of ages. So the fan base is pretty varied and thriving. The company “la la land” released an expanded and remastered E.T soundtrack CD and it is amazing. Along with CE3K, its one of Williams best scores. This movie is special to me. I think I saw it at an age where it just blew my mind and embedded itself there forever. I’ve lost track of the times I’ve purchased it on various formats.
I'm so glad you have the chance to do this man. I have great memories of making costumes with my dad and walking proudly thtough the neighborhood with a homemade costume.
I'm 41 and don't have kids. I'd love to experience that again but it's not in the cards for me. I'm glad you get to have that now. Really happy for you brother.
Happy Halloween, Chris! I am so glad you talked about this movie. I remember the first time I ever saw it, a child myself, and how devastating it was to think we might lose ET and then I how amazing it was that he made it home and then, of course as I’ve grown up the movie just becomes that much more emotionally stirring. When I listen to the soundtrack and the opening score my heart pounds when ET is running through the woods, trying to get back to his ship before he stranded on earth. And when I listen to that last long track, including the escape, and getting back to the spaceship, that sense of calm when the ship is gliding down and ET looks up and blinks his eyes. Just everything. It is a masterpiece. And so now I will be watching ET tonight. Thanks! ❤
I met Dee Wallace at a con a few years ago - one of the nicest people you can meet!
I was always scared of E.T, the cornfield part and when he throws the ball in the shack scared me and it still does to this day
Not only is this my favorite film of all time, I truly believe it has the best opening of all time. The slow atmosphere of the woods with Williams' score as you slowly lurk towards the ship, on the ship, around the other aliens in shadow, then E.T. himself wandering alone, admiring the peaceful neighborhood lights. Only to be uprooted from that peace when the government guys show up and then uh-oh, what's happening? The ship is not only leaving but their heart glow is giving away E.T.'s position who in a panic has to run back before they leave. And he doesn't make it. You see him defeated, sadly wandering toward the neighborhood he found comfort in. It's perfect to me.
My best friend growing up, Sarah, *loved* this movie when we were kids and I never got it, I always thought it was so cheesy and overrated - but it was her movie. She passed away a few years ago and I haven't been able to bring myself to watch it again since because it felt like it'd be too painful. But after watching this and hearing how passionate Chris is about it and how much it meant to him helped me understand why Sarah loved it so much and I think I might be ready to give it a rewatch again
Sorry for your loss 😔 I hope you come back and share your opinion if you watch it. It’s such a beautiful film.
I hope it can give you a feeling of reconnecting with Sarah again. Thanks for sharing your story. ❤
The cinematography throughout the film is fantastic. Every shot is beautifully crafted. There are rarely films crafted with this level of care
I remember as a kid having an ET doll. I carried it everywhere. This is such a special movie and deserves all the praise it gets. ET is in my Top 10 list. Also...hard not to cry at the end. One of the few movies that still makes me cry.
What I love most about this movie is the depiction of the sibling relationships. The teasing and loyalty they show each other reminds me a lot of my siblings. One of my favorites!
Wow you can really feel how happy Chris is the whole video, pulls me in even more
This is one of those movies I never understood any hate towards. It is just one of the most wholesome films ever about finding connections when lonely, protecting the innocent and helpless when others can't and E.T. is just so adorable and you want to see him get home in the end. It is not my favourite Spielberg movie, as I prefer Jaws, Raiders of the Lost Ark, The Last Crusade, Jurassic Park and Catch Me if You Can, but it is ranked very close at number 6 for me and means so much to me, especially with how lonely I have been feeling most of my life. Probably Jehovah's Witnesses just never felt lonely, but loneliness is something that a lot of people experience and should be at least understood even by people who have a lot of friends. I never understood why this is somehow never talked about enough nowadays, because shows like Stranger Things and even other somewhat unrelated movies like WALL-E (the character of whom was somewhat inspired by E.T's design) wouldn't exist without this.
The movie just bleeds with that perfect 80s creativity and uniqueness. Leans on great child acting. Feels believable in a very unbelievable way. I miss movies like this.
And this classic produced one of Roger Ebert's most beautiful and best reviews. When he talked about it in his Great Movies column, he wrote about the film in the form of a letter to his young grandchildren, who had just seen the film with him and his family. He mentions Spielberg's masterful POV choices.
I love you Chris, you're such a good spirited, kind and overall just a good person. I've been following you for about 10 years and commenting from time to time. October is BY FAR my favourite month of the year and part of that is because I grew up watching your Halloween Special series, it always feels very special when the spookie season comes and this tradition starts, it feels really cozy and exciting. This year's special was great, probably one of the best. I feel kinda weird writing this comment because I don't like to follow or idolize people on the internet, but when so much time passes and traditions are made between a person and his audience it's difficult not to feel some sort of connection. Thank you Chris, I'm really happy about your first time Trick-or-Treating btw. Thank you for this year's great Halloween Special, for real.
Man, I love hearing new things about your life story. I’m so glad you finally got to experience trick or treat, and with your kids no less.
I was 6 and a half when E.T. Came out. It’s the movie that made me fall in love with going to the movies. I still try to watch it every Halloween.
ET has become one of the most underrated and forgotten movies of all time, which is insane considering how popular it was at the time. The soundtrack to ET is still one of the greatest, most emotional scores ever composed
Special times with our children is what life is all about man! This was my first Halloween in Stow, it was beautiful and felt like a scene from a movie.
I’ve always said that ET isn’t my favorite Spielberg film, but I would say that it is his BEST film. So much emotion in this film. And coming from a divorced home and being a loner, you’re right Chris, this film hits different.
I love that Henry Thomas is still getting work. He was great in The Fall of the House of Usher.
I was lucky enough to meet John Williams two years ago at Juilliard. What you said about Spielberg letting John do the music and editing around it is true. John had such enthusiasm when talking about it
Can we just appreciate how spine chilling that intro jingle is 🎃
This is my favorite Spielberg movie
It’s my dad’s favorite. It was a packed house when he saw it as a 24 or 25 year old.
I too, also wore out my VHS copy of this movie. It was a go-to movie for me as a kid before I had any siblings.
Showing some of those scenes got me real emotional just now, I think because this movie reminds me of my Mom.
It's wild to hear you talk about how your kids have already been around for more than one halloween! Crazy how time flies!
Can't wait to see what your costumes are going to be in the upcoming years!!!
His wikipedia page says his sons, who are twins, were born in 2021
So, they're little babies!
I'm sure they were adorable in their little costumes! I wonder what he and his wife were!
Bud, thank you so much for all of the fantastic Halloween content every year! Watching your videos is always a fantastic way to stay engaged with the festivities all month long. It was heartwarming to hear your trick-or-treating story 🙏🏻 💀 👻 🎃
Ahsoka review when?
I think you don't know about you yt channel 😅 🤭
Lmao he only reviews good stuff now.
Woke dog water. Boom express review
He only reviews thing he enjoys now, so if he doesn't make a video you know why
Ashoka was garbage
E.T was the only movie that my mom let me cut school to go watch. It was my grandmother, my mom and me. We went to the movies and afterwards, we stopped and ate at Dennys.
I didn't know that was going to be the last time I'd ever see my grandma. I didn't even get to say goodbye to her. My mom hid that she was sick from me. I'm not sure if my older brother knew she was dying or not.
Anyway, I kinda keep E.T close to my heart and always have. I know I loved that movie as a little kid and I have always refused to rewatch it, cause of that awesome day we had together. Take it easy and ✌️
I met Dee Wallace at a horror convention, and she was soooo awesome. Has always been one of my favorite actresses
Love the new tradition! I always love seeing people’s costumes so that’ll be fun to look forward to.
Plus it’s more fun than making you watch Halloween movies you don’t like rather than watching the good ones.
The only movie which I recall scaring me as a little kid, the glowing shed scene in particular, fear of the unknown and all that. And ironically the movie which in 1982 overshadowed what is now my favourite movie - The Thing
And as a fellow of the 'raised as a JW' club, I also took part in my first ever Halloween this year with my patina'd '68 Lincoln dressed up for a Halloween cruise along with myself and my nephew dressed as backwoods maniacs xD
Omg, this melted my heart, I’m so happy you got to experience such a special holiday with your kids and wife. Sending my love to your family ❤️
The Halloween part, and the beggining with the kids ordering pizza and fucking around are my favourite parts of the movie. I think the final act is very emotional too. And very unique in terms of collaboration, collaboration of many different pop culture references.
We appreciate you for all of your hard work Chris! I really look forward to these every Halloween. As someone who was eight when this was released and saw it in the theater, I can tell you it was an emotional roller coaster. It was the first time I cried watching a movie. I was also fortunate enough to have seen the original Star Wars trilogy in the theater. I dressed up as Darth Vader for one of those Halloweens as well. My childhood was very different than yours.
I LOVE that you’re building traditions with your family, you deserve all of that happiness
As someone who has loved your content and been inspired by it, your opening bit about getting to go with your kids has got me tearing up. I'm so happy for you, thanks for all the years of incredible content and here's to another amazing Halloween special!
Definitely my favorite movie of my childhood. My mom still has my E.T. stuffed animal. I guess he's 41 now, crazy.
E.T is the first thing I can remember, sat in the cinema with my mum, about 5yrs old, both crying at the end when ET has to go home 😂.
I remember being completely mesmerised, I think films had an important part in my life from that moment on.
Phenomenal film, and parts of the score still brings tears to my eyes every time I hear it. Happy Halloween everyone 🕸️👻🎃
I am so glad Chris has the same amount of love for Halloween that I do, even if he didn't get to trick or treat when he was a kid. Congrats to your first time and to many more!
I was fortunate enough to be 7 years old when ET was released and see it on the big screen. I've not seen it in full since and yet I have fond memories of it. Perhaps being an only child meant it resonated with me.
The love for John Williams is real. His music will live on forever.
This is my favorite movie of all time. I wore the shit out of my VHS of it and I watched it repeatedly as a child. I loved it. I definitely felt connected to Elliot because I felt like I was a loser and a loner as a kid. It made me feel like someone understood how hard it was being a kid because being a kid is difficult and trying a lot of the times and I feel like most media doesn’t capture that. I feel like a lot of media is made from the perspective that being a kid is always fun and the innocent time in your life but for me it was very challenging and even though the movie was made by adults it feels like it was made for kids by kids. Idk I love this movie, and the ride!
I feel like that about "Where the Wild Things Are".
First movie I saw in theaters. Mom and I were turned away the first night because it sold out. Went back the next night and this is the film that spawned my love for theaters and movies in general. Thank you for reviewing E.T., Chris! Another great Halloween special!
The Stuckmann Halloween Special is one of the reasons I look forward to this season. You absolutely killed it again, sir! Thanks so much for your excellemt content!!!
This video was just gold. thank you Chris. I think ET is was the movie I cried the most in my life. And of course, Mr John Williams is a big part of those tears.
So excited to talk about my favorite movie of all time with a hopefully a genuinely great audience and fan base who will totally get my personal experience! Thanks for loving and sharing about this movie too, Chris! And so excited for your first trick or treat experience too. It's more magical with your kids for sure!
E.T. is my favorite movie of all time, and I was born 10 years after it came out. And watched it for the first time at 10 years old at the 20th anniversary theater release in 2002. My younger brother was terrified of E.T., but I was captivated. Like Chris says, the score is the #1 reason why- if it had any music from it's time period (the 80's) in it, it would instantly date it. Just like I think Star Wars wouldn't be as big as it is now if it had 70's songs in the it (like the Holiday Special, cough). The E.T. score keeps it timeless, but also, the way it pulls you in emotionally--the flight sequences as well as the saying goodbye at the end, it's impossible for me not to get goosebumps. John Williams is simply a musical genius, and in my opinion, the best composer of our lifetime.
To those who never got this movie-I think like Chris says, it reaches out to the loners, but also those who are very melancholy as people. I know friends who just don't understand why I love this movie so much, and those type of people are all similar in terms of that they are aren't very... emotional people. They aren't as in depth with their emotions ,and not ones who tend to be nostalgic (not in a critical way at all, just more logical as people), whereas I personally am so emotionally invested, perhaps to a fault, in too many things, and very melancholic with my thinking and feelings. The forest scenes, the flying, the E.T. dying scene, the saying goodbye at the end, even the halloween scene, so many moments here where it just tugs at my heartstrings and I allow myself to just FEEL in a way that it is hard to feel in most other movies.
Chris also hit the nail on the head in terms of seeing different things as parent. Everything he mentions of Dee Wallace and her scenes are spot on. I saw this as a 10 year old, and now I see this movie as a mom myself, and Dee Wallace really does need more acclaim. When she gets on her knees at the end as Chris says, that truly hits a deep nerve now as a mom myself. And the "penis breath" smirk she makes-- Chris couldn't have said it better.
As a teen and now as an adult to this day, I still listen to the soundtrack, especially when I'm out in the forest, at night, looking at the stars-- dreaming, feeling, thinking... this movie and its score embodies the childlike magic and wonder of childhood-- let's make sure we keep that in our hearts and not let growing up remove this needed part of us.
Oh Chris, I'm so happy for you. Part of me is sad that you never got to experience Trick-or-Treating as a kid, but wow, sharing that first experience with your own kids? I can't imagine how magical that must have been for you, and I know you'll remember this night for the rest of your life. I wish you and your family many Happy Halloweens to come, and many years of building happy memories together.
*_It's 2023, either you didn't figure out the movie, or you skipped that class in "Film Analysis 101": The movie is about a boy loosing his dog, the dog dies and he makes up a fantasy world to cope. Cut end scene is Elliot at his shrinks/his principals office, played by Harrison Ford and they are discussing this. There is a scene where you see it's Ford, with his feet up on the desk._*
Thank you for making your videos part of the halloween experience every year!! It would not be the same without your videos chris!!
Wow, had me almost emotional there at points, Chris, so happy for ya! Times are a bitdifficult for me atm, but it's always such a delight to catch a new video from the special, here's looking forward to an ever better year and special next year:)
Good for you, man! My first trick or treat, I was 10 years old, fresh out of the cult with my parents who had just finally left it. I went as Harry Potter, kind of like a double-down on the "evil satanic pagan heresy" lol. And ET has always been a special movie to me, too. Also, it's gotta be like a horror gateway drug, 'cause that first third or so is freaking CREEPY! I'd say it's like the best kid-friendly horror film 'cause all throughout there's moments of major eeriness, but instead of the usual horror tragedy, it ends with a lot of heart. Like it starts as a horror film and then blossoms into this beautiful and compelling adventure.
Just to say Thank you Chris for another Halloween special, 9 years in a row this has become another big tradition in my life. Like you I also experience my first trick or trick 4 years ago with my daughter (in my country we don't have Halloween) and it's something special.
I cried when you said this was your first time getting to go trick or treat, it makes me so sad that cults like the Jehova's Witnesses can rob children of such experiences. I'm so glad you left them and are happy and successful with Sam and your kids, you really deserve it Chris. Happy Halloween to you and your family!
E.T. is AWESOME. In addition to having some of the best blocking and cinematography of the 80s, it has such an edgy, ominous atmosphere.
I took this movie for granted when I was younger. For whatever reason, i decided to watch it again today. And once I finished, I had a whole new appreciation for it. Who would have guessed my favorite movie reviewer was gonna make a video about it so close to when I gave it another chance? Thanks, man.
My wife is from Japan, and although Halloween has become more of a thing there now (albeit there is still not anything approaching kids trick or treating yet, if it ever even does), Halloween was not even an adult costume dress-up party-like holiday (as it is now) when she was growing up. She and I have been married for 11 years, and she has lived in the U.S. now for about 15 years, so she has gotten accustomed to our American Halloween customs. This year our son was finally old enough to go trick or treating as well and like you it was both his first year doing so as well as my wife's, so hearing you talk about your experience this year with your kids was very touching to hear. Also, E.T. is my absolute favorite film from childhood, and I too wore out my cooy of the green edged vhs tape. I absolutely cannot wait to share the film with my son, though maybe not for another year or two since he is probably still too young for it at 2-and-a-half. Happy Halloween, Stuckmann!
Great choice on your costume for your first Halloween Chris! I hope you and your kids had a great trick or treat experience for the first time this year!!! This is my first post ever on RUclips, but I have enjoyed your reviews and take on movies for a long, long time. I am 49 from Australia and took my kids to LA in 2017 just to experience a real US Halloween (at a Disneyland Halloween Party though (so not that real) … but it was GREAT). I totally agree with all your comments in this ET review. My kids gave me ET on 4K for my birthday this year. This movie gives me the same emotions as you. And how good was Dee Wallace, brilliant, agree. And John Williams is my favourite film composer and I reiterate the awesome trivia stat you described that Steven Spielberg and Carol Littleton cut the ending to the film actually to John W’s score! All the best, and thanks again.
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E.T is definitely not just a John Williams triumph. Spielberg's directorial finesse shines throughout the film, extending well beyond its climactic moments. A close examination of the subtle intricacies woven into the domestic and scholastic settings reveals masterful camera work, meticulous precision, and pioneering cinematography (remember we're early 1980s here). Add to these some of the most exceptional performances ever delivered by a young cast - a testament to Spielberg's ability to guide young talents. The film boasts a continuous stream of small comedic gems and delightful surprises, ensuring that even during the quieter, less action-packed moments, the audience remains fully engaged. ET is a cinematic masterpiece that deserves its place in the annals of film history and should serve as an indispensable learning tool for future generations of aspiring filmmakers.
These Halloween movie reviews are such a great tradition! Please don’t stop!
I love your reviews. It hypes me up to watch it again. I especially love the new tradition.
Fun fact: My husband tried out for the bike stunts as a teen. He was a BMX champion and was considered too tall for the part at 14. I don't get to brag about that often so I appreciate doing it here.
I love Stuckmann's positive energy. It is such a joy to see creators who genuinely love film, want films to be good and try to find positives even in movies that are...let's say not great. And ET is such a fun movie.
Chris! You made me cry the ugly cry!!!😢 God bless your little boy/proud daddy heart!! ENJOY!!!!!! I remember watching this with my small sons ( now in their 40s) and how enchanted they were by it-except that backyard Reese’s Pieces scene. Their dad and I went to see it before we brought them. Loved it the second time. Enjoyed watching my granddaughter experience it for the first time too.