E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL (1982) - ♦♦♦♦♦

Directed by - Steven Spielberg

Written by - Melissa Mathison

Starring - Henry Thomas, Drew Barrymore, Peter Coyote

"Arguably the sweetest work on Spielberg’s filmography, the story E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial is centred around the friendship between a child and an alien creature. Despite the plot of this film seeming commercial and almost too easily frivolous, nothing could be further from the truth, as the wonderful screenplay has the elements of a modern day fairytale, but is also very sensible and built on a delicate and compelling backdrop of unhappy families, divorced parents and fights and the dinner table. The film looks wonderful, with visual and special effects that reveal the magic that lies at the heart of the film. Overall, this is a timeless, charming and adventurous film that is as much about childhood as it is about the mystery of life on other planets, both favoured themes by the renowned filmmaker."

Science Fiction, USA