CAST AS ROLE MODELS:

HENRY THOMAS plays the boy who befriends E.T. and does whatever it takes to protect him.

PETER COYOTE plays the government agent who wants to find E.T., but not harm him.

HOW OTHERS RATED THIS MOVIE

OUR TAKE: 7 out of 10

What can you say about a film that fifteen years after its release is still the number one grossing domestic movie of all time? You could say that it's entertaining and that kids easily identify with it. It's certainly not a perfect movie, and there are lots of details that are overlooked (why is the dead flower in the sterile medical room, other than to hint that E.T.'s coming back to life?) but Spielberg's had that problem in other movies (watch Jurassic Park for a boatload of small details that are overlooked for logic or continuity). Still, we guess that one's supposed to overlook those details and be swept up in the moment and magic of the story. That does happen, but with repeated viewings those problems stand out more and more. Again they're not huge and certainly don't do a huge disservice to the production, but one wishes that someone would have caught and fixed them. Other than that, it's obvious that kids will love this movie and will easily identify with both Elliot and E.T. as loner characters who survive through their ordeals. It's also fun to watch young Drew Barrymore (before her substance and other problems) as she provides a great deal of the film's humor with her cute mannerisms and dialogue. While we think the movie could've been better with a finer attention to detail, it still comes across as a very enjoyable production. We give it a 7 out of 10.

OUR WORD TO PARENTS:

Other than some mild profanity (2 "s" words spoken by the older brother) and a few early scenes that may be frightening to younger kids, there isn't much here to object to. As everyone knows by now, E.T. dies and then comes back to life, but the scenes where he's sickly and finally dies might be upsetting to younger kids. Just to be sure that the film is appropriate for you and your family, we suggest that you read the scene descriptions in each category.

ALCOHOL OR DRUG USE

E.T. finds a beer in the fridge and drinks it (not knowing what it is). He then drinks another (and apparently more based on the number of empty cans later seen) and then is seen "fall down" drunk. Since he and Elliot appear to have a physical link, Elliot also seems to be drunk.

BLOOD/GORE

Elliot nicks his finger on a circular saw blade and just a little blood is seen on both.

DISRESPECTFUL/BAD ATTITUDE

Keys and his associates may appear to have a little of both.

The government men eavesdrop into neighborhood homes listening to private conversations.

FRIGHTENING SCENES

Younger kids may be scared by the early scenes played out in the dark with some suspenseful music accompanying them. Also, since E.T. isn't fully seen at first and Elliot appears nervous about what's out there, younger kids might be scared as well.

E.T.'s appearance may initially scare some younger kids.

As Keys and his men chase E.T. back toward his ship, E.T. lets out spooky sounds reminiscent of a hurt animal.

The appearance of government men (in space suits) as they enter the home (with their respirator breathing sounds) may be unsettling to younger kids.

Younger kids may be upset when E.T. is found lying in a culvert, looking rather sickly. Also, when he and Elliot are hooked up to medical equipment and E.T.'s health deteriorates might upset kids.

GUNS/WEAPONS

Handguns/Shotguns: Carried by government agents, but never aimed or shot at anyone.

IMITATIVE BEHAVIOR

Phrases: "Douche bag," "Shut up," "Stupid," "Penis breath," "Wimp," "I'm going to kill you" (not an actual threat), and "Little twerp."

Elliot fakes being sick by heating up a thermometer with a light bulb to make it look like he's got a temperature.

When the other kids hear about Elliot's "spaceman" one of them asks, "Where's he from, Uranus? Get it? Your anus."

Kids throw balled up pieces of paper at each other on a school bus.

Elliot lets some frogs loose in a biology class so that they won't be dissected.

Mike and Elliot steal a government van (with E.T. in it), and Mike drives away even though he doesn't have a driver's license.

In doing so, Mike, Elliot, and later the other kids, don't stop when the police chase them.

JUMP SCENES

None.

MUSIC (SCARY/TENSE)

There is a mild amount of suspenseful music in the film.

MUSIC (INAPPROPRIATE)

None.

PROFANITY

2 "s" words, 1 S.O.B., 1 damn, and 3 uses of "Oh my God," and 1 use each of "Oh God," and "My God" as exclamations.

SEX/NUDITY

None.

SMOKING

A lit cigarette is seen in an ashtray during a poker game. Although Mike, his buddies, and Elliot are present, no one is ever seen smoking it.

TENSE FAMILY SCENES

Elliot's parents are recently separated, and the fact that her husband is in Mexico with his new girlfriend upsets Mary.

When no one believes Elliot's story about a creature in the backyard, Elliot says, "Dad would believe me."

Elliot and Mike reminisce about their father taking them to ball games.

TOPICS TO TALK ABOUT

What the government men wanted with E.T.

Aliens.

Death and dying, and how when other living things die, they don't come back to life like E.T. does.

VIOLENCE

None.