Rating: 
Summary: The worst sort of ploy
Review: OK, I have no real problem with a director changing a movie and doing silly things like changing walkie talkies into cellphones and inserting newe incredibly obvious CGI versions of E.T. into the movie. Whatever. I didn't go see the movie because I wanted to see the original.Now the only way to see the original is to buy this rather idiotic {price] "Gift Set" which comes with a bunch of stuff I don't need. There's no option to just buy the original version. The ONLY WAY to see the original version of this movie, THE WAY THE MOVIE WAS MADE is to drop [price] into the lap of Universal. But wait it gets worse... At [price] you expect some extra features, right? Wrong! Sort of. The only real features (trailer, deleted scenes) aren't even available on the DVD. No, you need both the DVD *AND* a new expensive computer with a DVD-ROM drive *AND* a fast internet connection to see the scenes quickly *AND* it better not be a Mac. And you know that online content will only be around for a few months before the website changes and that will no longer be available. And finally, let's hope you're not a sound buff. The original version, eventhough it was filmed with 6 discrete sound tracks isn't even going to have surround sound --- eventhough it had it in the theatres!!! Thanks but no thanks. I won't spend a dime until this is all fixed.
Rating: 
Summary: It belongs in the STAR WARS/STAR TREK genre.
Review: George Lucas and Gene Roddenberry gave us possitive/well thoughtful Science Fiction/Fantasy, then Steven Spielberg gave it a touch of humanity with his movies, ET together with Close Encounters of the Thrid Kind and the two Jurassic Park movies. ET here is full of humanity, a sense of wonder, and a child's sense of looking at the universe through innocent eyes. These are the themes expressed in ET, and I can't wait to add the DVD of this movie to my film collection. ET Phone Home, May The Force Be With You, and Live Long And Prosper.
Rating:
Summary: finally!!
Review: i was very disapointed when i know that this classic movies started to follow STARWARS' foot step and re-releasing the special edition with new digital scenes.
and i was going to ignore this re-release of this DVD and stick with my older version i have on VHS. it is nonsense to change thing that is already great!
but the "1982 version" that is included in this DVD is what change everything. this is a definite must have for a fan of this movie. Finally, someone at universal did the right thing!
Rating: 
Summary: Schlockberg, all rights reserved
Review: This movie intellectual level doesn't surpass the one of a third grader. Characters are all one dimensional. Scripting is higly predictable and filled with clichees. As about all S. movies, this also preaches its number of PC "valueable lessons". The most common: accept and sustain difference (aliens vs. humans or humans vs. humans). What a repugnant propagandistic piece of ....
Rating:
Summary: E.T. is one of the BEST MOVIES EVER made.
Review: I first saw E.T. back in 1982 right before I turned 6 years old so I could barely remember the movie. Back then I did however have the official book which came with a record that was told by the very young Drew Barrymore. I used to just let my imagination run wild as i listed to the record and read the book with it. When I went to see this movie earlier today by myself I have to say once again I was so blown away. Even though E.T. was on video and on TV I had not seen it since I was a little kid 20 years ago. Watching it at the theater was one of the most amazing movie experiences of my life, cause it was as if I had never seen it and it brought out that little kid in me again. I remember back when this movie first came out in 1982 I had to have my E.T. cereal LOL. When Elliot and E.T. both got sick I have to say I had tears coming down my eyes and that happened more than once during the movie and Im a 25 year old guy, but this just touched me again and made me feel like I was the one loosing my new found best friend. I don't want to ramble but I just want to say if you saw this movie when you were a kid check it out again because I waited 20 years before seeing this movie again and it was truly the BEST Movie Experience of my life tears and all. When E.T. comes out on DVD I will be including it in my DVD collection, because it is one of the BEST MOVIES EVER MADE. Special thanks to the director Steven Spielberg for bringing E.T. back to us 20 years later and allowing me and the new generation in 2002 to feel like a care free kid again, even if for only 2 hours and 15 minutes it was well worth it.
Rating:
Summary: Buy the gift box instead of the collectors series.
Review: For those of you out there who think the collectors edition is worth buying because thid gift box costs too much dont.This version has the 1982 version which is not on the collectors series,keep in mind the 1982 version has the scene when e.t. and elliot on on the bicycle and about to fly away and the agents are pointing guns at them,well in the 2002 version spielberg removed them and placed walkie talkies.Also this version has the original screenplay,and collectible senitype.So dont settle for the 2 disc version buy this one instead.
Rating:
Summary: Can I rate 2,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 stars?
Review: I LOVE this movie. Hi, I'm E.T., the star of the BEST movie of all time. I love every minute of this timeless classic. Nothing is bad about this film. Every second of the movie is a masterpiece. HOME...it is perfect. Every word any character says is wonderfull. Steven Spielberger is a genius. Only he could make such a GREAT film. Of course, he couldn't have done it without ME! I am perfect. HOME! While watching the re-release of this beautiful movie, I was laughing, crying and admireing myself. I am SOOOOOOOOO cute...I tried to kiss myself on the screen, but I couldn't reach it...until I remembered I can extend my lovely neck. But when I did that, people were yelling "GET OUT OF THE WAY, E.T.". Anyway, HOME, I love this movie...E.T. remains the greatest movie of all time. Let's talk about some of the best things (but I can't list them all). 1: E.T. I am soooooooooooooooo cute. I am a cutie pie. I am lovable. And I have a cool finger that lights up, too. 2: The story. It never has a dull moment. It is always entertaining. 3: Eliot. He might not be as cute as me, (let's face it...NO ONE is as cute as me!) but he is a great character. You feel for this boy. I was crying throghout the film. 4: $$$$$MONEY! E.T. MADE LOTS OF MONEY!...5: I have a cool space ship. 6: The climax is very intense. It is the best climax ever filmed. It has you on the edge of your seat, worried about cute me. HOME! 7: It is so amazing when I say "E.T. PHONE HOME!". That is timeless. 8: It is so heartbreaking when I can't phone home. 9: The good byes at the end are so real. You can't help but cry...I strongly advise you to see this movie as many times as possible if it is playing in your theater. If it isn't, buy 90 copies of the video, and 900 of the DVD. Gotta go HOME now!
Rating:
Summary: Steven Spielberg's masterpiece
Review: Steven Spielberg's masterpiece E.T The Extra-Terrestrial is one of the director's most personal films and without a doubt one of his best. Re-released with extra scenes and digitally-enhanced visual effects, the journey is made even better than when it was originally released in 1982. The idea was a perfect film for Spielberg as a director, playing into one of his greatest strengths: directing children. Known from JAWS, CLOSE ENCOUNTERS and 1941 for creating charming performances from young children (many non-actors), Spielberg found a strong trio of youngsters for the three Tyler children, Elliott (Henry Thomas), Michael (Robert MacNaughton) and Gertie (Drew Barrymore). The majority of the weight of the film lies within Henry Thomas' performance as Elliott, as he is our link to E.T. Thomas gives an incredible performance, shining alongside his lovable alien co-star and together, Thomas and E.T.'s performers truly make you feel the love these two beings have for each other. Spielberg's trademark for his early on films was extraordinary events taking place in a commonplace setting. E.T, Like Duel, Jaws and Close Encounters before it, is centred on the strong Spielberg trademarks. John William's score for the film is one of the best for the Spielberg/Williams collaborations, and one of the most memorable. When E.T. opened it became the biggest picture of all time up to that point (it held that distinction for 11 years until Jurassic Park's release). And with the re-release's strong box-office, E.T is surely one of the best motion picture experiences of all time.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Film Ever
Review: I saw this film when I was 11 and I just saw the re-release. Looking through a 21st century lens, it's more magical now than it was twenty years ago. It has what current films lack: innocence, originality, selfless endearing characters, and a story that captures the heart. This film actually tells a story. Despite the groundbreaking special effects employed in this film, it was no vehicle for the special effects crew to show off--F/X was used to further the story rather than the story being used to further the F/X, which doesn't exist in modern-day films. Steven Spielberg aims for the gut and succeeds. It's his most personal film to date and the best work of an artist comes from within. There are too many memorable scenes to list. Among them are the first encounter between Gertie (Drew Barrymore) and ET, ET chasing after her with his arms raised as she is forced into the closet by her brother Michael (Robert McNaughton), ET following a trail of Reeses Pieces left by Elliott, ET dressed as a woman by Gertie, and of course, Elliott and ET flying on a bicycle silhouetted against a full moon. The re-release contains 4 additional minutes of footage left out in the 1982 release. The scene of Elliott and ET taking a bath is humorous but that of the mother, Mary (Dee Wallace), looking for her children on Halloween night is superfluous. Somewhat objectionable is the PCness of the new version. The Feds' guns are replaced with walkie-talkies and Michael's Halloween costume is referred to as that of a "hippie" rather than "terrorist". Such changes are subtle and won't be apparent to the viewer unless one was looking for them. The DVD will include both versions so purists shouldn't fret. The performances are impressive. The main characters--the three children, their mother and ET--are developed throughout the film. The children don't pander to the audience with the affected cutesy routine coached to present-day child actors. A pre-substance abuse Drew Barrymore is adorable as Gertie and Henry Thomas is a natural as the lonely and melancholy Elliott. Robert McNaughton, now out of the acting business, is undeservedly ignored by the entertainment industry--they should give him a worthy role for a comeback. The best performance, however, comes from the alien creature. He is smart, mischievous, sensitive and sweet. One forgets he's a wrinkly rubber puppet and perceives him as the cutest/cuddliest creature in film history. As indelible as ET is in our hearts and minds, it did not win the major academy awards. Spielberg mistakenly overmarketed this film through selling all sorts of ET products, i.e. cereal, toys, clothes, stickers, which created a backlash. ET was thus aced by Gandhi for the Best Picture and Director Oscars. In hindsight, Gandhi is a by-the-book biopic and ET is an endearing original film every generation will see and love. The phrase "ET phone home" will be in the lexicon of the English language for quite some time. As ET says in his farewell to Elliott, "I'll be right here". PS: Watch this film with a box of tissues. Grown people in the theatre who saw this film as children still cried their eyes out (myself included). I sometimes wish Elliott left with ET for a happy (happier?) ending.
Rating:
Summary: "I'll Be Right Here!"
Review: Back in 1982, a little squashy fellah from a faraway world made history. E.T. was brought to movie screens under the surefire hand of director Steven Spielberg and it has yet to leave the cultures immediate memory. With magic to spare, this film has become the ultimate family film. What child has not dreamed of befriending an alien... especially one that allows for flight! Spielberg's story telling is in top form as he relates this story he created while working on CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND. And his work with composer John Williams again creates a wonderful marriage. The scene where Elliot and E.T. first take flight on a huffy is pure magic. Absolutely jaw-dropping. Now, twenty years later we revisit the classic film with a minor facelift. As is often the case, the changes are sometimes for the better and sometimes for the worse. The most obvious change is the addition of a scene where E.T. plays in a bathtub while Elliot talks to his mother on the telephone. The alien is very funny in the scene and young children should love the addition. Otherwise, the scene adds no value to the film and in fact, Elliot's phone conversation is redundant and annoying. Also included is a questionable scene where the mother finds two of her children, Michael and Gertie, walking aimlessly in front of a violent Halloween vandalism. Again, no value added to the film. Maybe they were trying to give Drew Barrymore more 'cute' dialogue, but the treacherous backdrop totally distracts. Purists will also notice the last scene has been re-cut to make more spatial sense but that will remain minor. The best changes for this Twentieth Anniversary release involve the computer-generated face-lift for the alien. Not only did they add life to some of the more unnatural looking facial effects, they have improved his movement. The creature's track-like movement always struck me during his opening escape. Now, the creature bounds desperately in a manner more accurate to his physicality. The last change of note for this version was the removal of FBI gunmen chasing the children. Now, FBI agents with walkie-talkies hunt them. With all the changes, the film is still a wonderful experience for the whole family. This will help introduce the film to a whole new generation. Maybe, they will reissue another version in twenty more years... Maybe then, E.T. will phone home on a cell phone...
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