ET The Extra Terrestrial

Two decades after it was first released, Steven Spielberg's ET: The Extra Terrestrial is given a re-release with some digital tweaking and extra scenes, and remains one of the most evocative and sweet affirmations of the joy and occasional sorrow of childhood. Of course, there are probably only about seven people - globally, natch - who haven't encountered this movie before, but the premise is simple. Henry Thomas plays Elliot, a ten-year-old kid, who along with his older brother Michael (MacNaughton) and younger sister Gertie (Barrymore) is finding it difficult to deal with his parents' recent separation. One evening, the heavy-hearted youngster encounters an alien creature and introduces it to his siblings. Yet Elliott is not the only one interested in the alien, as a shadowy governmental agency are hot on his trail. Told from a child's perspective throughout - Spielberg even anchored the camera at Thomas' height - the film is essentially a paean to the innocence of adolescence. The cynical may argue that the movie is unashamedly sentimental, oversimplified, and the director uses every opportunity to manipulate the audience's emotions. Valid points, for sure. But for the two hours it's on, you're a kid all over again.