Blu-ray Review: Anniversary Edition of Timeless ‘E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial’

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CHICAGO – When Universal started their wave of 2012 catalog Blu-ray releases to celebrate their anniversary, good movie nuts immediately started to consider what could be the next announcement in that collection. Near the top of everyone’s dream list? Steven Spielberg’s timeless “E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial.” Well, that day that most Spielberg fans waited for is finally here as one of the masterful filmmaker’s best works has been restored from high resolution 35MM elements and is available today for the first time in glorious HD.

Rating: 4.5/5.0

There are Blu-ray releases that boast exclusive material or copious special features but the draw here really is the transfer which is an absolute beauty. There are multiple generations now that have seen “E.T.” on video or on TV and never quite seen it like this before. The fact is that a lot of “E.T.” takes place at night, in the woods near Elliott’s house, and the level of color detail and shading here is perfect. It’s one of the most striking and consistent HD transfers of the year.

As for special features, I’ll admit that this release is a little slight. The new bonus features don’t compare to what was included on “Jaws” and “Indiana Jones: The Complete Adventures” earlier this year. However, fans will enjoy listening to “Steven Spielberg & E.T.” and see original, on-set production footage called “The E.T. Journals” and there’s a lot of previously-available material.

It really is a major season for Steven Spielberg as many fans are still picking up “Jaws” and “Indiana Jones” while reading about this week’s screening of “Lincoln” and the mixed response to come from it. While there seems to be a lot of debate in recent years about Spielberg’s recent output, there’s none about the beloved quality of the always-great “E.T.”

E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial was released on Blu-ray on October 9, 2012
Photo credit: Universal

Synopsis:
Relive the adventure and magic in one of the most beloved motion pictures of all-time, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, from Academy Award-winning director Steven Spielberg. Captivating audiences of all ages, this timeless story follows the unforgettable journey of a lost alien and the 10-year-old boy he befriends. Join Elliot (Henry Thomas), Gertie (Drew Barrymore) and Michael (Robert MacNaughton) as they come together to help E.T. find his way back home. Now digitally remastered with enhanced picture and sound for its 30th Anniversary, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial is “one of the great American films” (Leonard Maltin) that forever belongs in the hearts and minds of audiences everywhere.

Click here to buy “E.T. The Extra Terrestrial”

Special Features:
o Steven Spielberg & E.T.- The Director Reflects On His Experience Making E.T. And The Impact The Beloved Classic Has Had On His Celebrated Career
o The E.T. Journals - Original On-Set Production Footage Takes You Behind The Scenes
o Deleted Scenes
o A Look Back
o The Evolution And Creation Of E.T.
o The E.T. Reunion
o The Music of E.T.
o The 20th Anniversary Premiere
o Designs, Photographs and Marketing

By BRIAN TALLERICO Content Director HollywoodChicago.com [email protected]