By RUSSELL BAILLIE
(Herald rating: * * * * * )
When the digitally tweaked version of Steven Spielberg's classic sci-fi fairytale was released in cinemas this year, its box office didn't exactly justify its theatrical encore. That might show that the many who saw it first time round in 1982 thought
the story was too familiar, or too dated.
I'd never seen it but had gleaned enough to dismiss it as the beginning of Spielberg's Big Kid phase. More fool me: E.T. is a great film, sad, funny, curiously dark and ultimately rousing.
It also has some great child performances, especially from Henry Thomas as Elliott, the alien's earthling friend, and the then cute-as-a-button Drew Barrymore as his 7-year-old sister.
As special effects go, the little brown guy with the big eyes and the glowing finger is still as much of an animatronic milestone as Jaws' Bruce the shark.
Among the alterations are more facial expressions and a scene where he is digitally rendered and takes a bath.
Spielberg replaced the guns of the government agents with walkie-talkies and it does look strange to see so many radio-
carrying guys in suits within shouting distance of each other. And some of those flying-bike scenes aren't exactly Harry Potter playing quidditch, either but its subtle story is still a heart-melter.
Yeah, it might be a kids' flick and on DVD a recommended keeper for the baby-sitting part of any collection. But watching it alone and for the first time, it had me at "phone home".
Rental/sell-through DVD today
•DVD extras: Introduction by Steven Spielberg, live footage John Williams 2002 premiere (Disc 1); Featurettes on creation of E.T., the reunion, music of John Williams, 20th-anniversary premiere, web links (Disc 2)
