3. E.T.: THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL

Think about the similarities between The Wizard of Oz and E.T. Both are stories about children and childhood. "The home" also plays a central role in both films, or did you think that the similarity between the catchphrases "There's no place like home" and "Phone home" was just a coincidence? Finally, in both films, the lead character meets three new friends (be it a scarecrow, tin man, and lion, or three suburban siblings) to help them on their quest to get back home. Is it any wonder that E.T. was a hit? It's almost exactly like The Wizard, except instead of going to the land of Oz, Dorothy lands in California (only a tad stranger).

While it sounds strange, the lead character is not Elliot, the middle child who befriends the alien, but actually E.T. himself. Throughout the film, the camera constantly takes his point of view, be it from behind a bush or under a ghost costume. And while Elliot functions as E.T.'s translator (most notably through his connection to E.T.'s emotions), the film is still about E.T.'s quest to return home. The audience's connection with E.T. is so strong that you completely forget that he's not real.

The best thing about E.T. may be the perfect balance between fantasy and reality. Of course, none of it is real, but it's so funny and well-intended, that it'll melt the heart of even the toughest Scrooge. An unfortunate aftereffect of E.T., however, was the huge marketing blitz that developed. Reese's Pieces became the most popular candy, and you could see E.T.'s ugly image on everything from sheets to lunchboxes to underwear. Neil Diamond even wrote an anthem to E.T. called "Turn On Your Heartlight." Nonetheless, if you haven't seen the movie in a couple years, it's definitely worth revisiting.

Notes:

  • Until Titanic, the most successful film in history, making around $400 million

  • E.T.'s face was modeled after those of Albert Einstein and poet Carl Sandburg

  • E.T.'s voice was performed by Debra Winger

  • Nominated for 9 Academy Awards (including Best Picture and Director)

  • Won 4 Academy Awards: Best Score, Visual Effects, Sound, and Sound Effects Editing

  • Placed #25 on the American Film Institute's "100 Greatest Movies" List