Photo: Universal
As part of “My Favorite Martian” Blog Hop Celebration, where bloggers were invited to share their favorite otherworldly being with readers, I have to admit that for me there was no contest. When E.T. turned on his “heart light,” he captured my heart, along with the hearts of millions. It has proven to be a touchstone for my generation X, as it no doubt is for generations Y, Z, and whatever comes after that.
The film is the simple story of an alien who happens to get separated from his ship when it makes an exploratory landing on earth. A human boy, Elliot, discovers the alien and names him “E.T.,” short for “extra terrestrial.”
Photo: Universal
Elliot (whose name, not coincidentally, begins and ends with “E” and “T”) provides safe harbor for E.T. by hiding him in his room until they can figure out a plan to help E.T. “phone home.“ They must find a way to contact E.T.’s relatives, so that he can return to the place where his heart belongs, and in the process he and Elliot become true friends.
But when scientists get wind of E.T.’s presence, they believe they must collect him as a specimen for analysis. By this point, the audience has come to think of E.T. not as a creature or a puppet, but as almost human. E.T. has the most human qualities of all: vulnerability and the ability to love, which is what makes us love him so much, and root for him in his desperate dream to return to his home planet.
Steven Spielberg’s classic continues to amaze and inspire to this day, in spite of significant advancements in special effects since 1982, when the film was first released. Who can help but be moved when Elliot and E.T. take that magical bike ride against that glorious full moon?
E.T. is not from Mars, but he’s without question “My Favorite Martian.” I can’t wait for my little girl to “meet” him, preferably on the big screen, when she’s a little older.
E.T. the Extra Terrestrial with his finger aglow, amazing Elliot. Photo: Universal
Do you have a favorite alien? I’d love for you to share in the comment section, and check out the other blogs participating in the “My Favorite Martian” Blog Hop at the links below.
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Bloggers, want to join the the blog hop fun? Just add the link to your post below, and check out who (or what?) other bloggers have chosen as their favorite “Martian.”
I never got the idea of ET … I would love to make a sequel. Now don’t get me wrong… as a child I was like cool.
This was a great pick! I loved ET as a kid and I still to this day love that movie. I used to walk around saying “ET phone home” So glad you picked him.
Teresa
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Teresa recently posted..My Favorite Martian: Paul
LOVE IT! ET is an awesome choice!
Thanks so much, Natasha! I always love it when you visit Reel Mama!
LIChiong recently posted..Win a set of Luxurious Bamboo Sheets!
What a wonderful choice. My son is too young I think, but I can’t wait for him to watch it too. Following you on twitter!
Maurice Mitchell recently posted..Are You Rated "Geek?" [Stuff]
I knew someone would choose E.T.. And who could blame you? Some of my best childhood memories are from that movie. And from the ride at Universal Studios, where he mispronounces my name every time. Great choice!
E. T. is a wonderful choice. That movie is timeless.
Jeff Hargett recently posted..Bob Brady on Getting Published in 2013
‘Waves hello from the blog hop>
You know, I’ve never seen this movie from start to finish which is odd as I’m a huge sci-fi fan.
I’ve always thought E.T. was an odd looking, guy…but not in a menacing way 🙂
Nice pick!
Mark Means recently posted..My Favorite Martian
Did you know that E.T. comes from Ork? And is a distant relation to Mork?
True fact. Starman told Alf.
Jay recently posted..PLAN NINE FROM OUTER SPACE
Hey, we picked the same “Martian” I enjoyed reading your take on “E.T.”
Todd recently posted..Blog Roll: My Favorite Martian: E.T.
It’s been a long time since I saw ET, but I remember being very charmed by it as a child. Good pick!
Chris Kelworth recently posted..My Favourite Martian Blog Hop – Isabel Evans
Such a wonderful movie. I walked up to the movie theater with my bud Richard and we watched this – and hid our tears at the end because we were teens and mortified that the movie made is boo-hoo! Great memories! Thanks for the post! Cheers!
Craig Edwards recently posted..Maniacal Movie Poster Monday #104!
I love E.T.’s heart light, and he definitely has a place in the hearts of all scifi lovers. Great choice for the blogfest!
Tyrean recently posted..A Day Late for My Favorite Martian
I saw ET in 1982 and I saw the re-release in 2002. I loved my ET stuffed animal and I even got an ET alarm clock for Christmas when I was a kid.
Hi Alicia! I had all those things too. Such great memories. The movie really defined a love of movies for children who grew up in the 1980s. Thanks so much for stopping by Reel Mama!
I haven’t watched this movie in so long, now I think I’m going to have to search Netflix and get a box of tissues ready. :p
It definitely holds up, Addy! It’s one that stands the test of time. I remember crying like a baby as a kid when I first watched “E.T.” I still love to cry at movies, so I’ll be joining you with that box of tissues.
Oh wow… I havent seen this in awhile, in fact, I think the only thing I have it on is still VHS haha
I HAVENT WATCHED THIS IN SUCH A LONG TIME I SHOULD RENT IT AND WATCH IT AGAIN..
RANDY FULGHAM recently posted..http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250&pubid=eprizeaddthis
Yep, ET is still one of my faves. Of course he was a bit more magical when I was a kid, but he still makes me all sappy when I watch his story 🙂
Trisha recently posted..Travel Series: U.S.A. part 3 – Washington
Hi Trisha: E.T. definitely had me under his spell when I was a kid. There is just something about E.T. that captures the magic of childhood.
This is one of my favorite movies of all time. I want to get this movie to show my granddaughter. I know she would love it.
I watched this movie, when as soon as it was released, with a child whom I was babysitting, and we both loved it.
Believe it or not, I have all types of collectible memorabilia from when the original ET came out. He was and still is one of my fav aliens. He was just so cute!
great article ET by far one of my favorite childhood memories thanks so much for the great review
Older movies far surpass the newer.
I love ET. I almost didnt’ go see it because I thought it was a scary movie. My mom said “go see it. Bring tissues with you.” I ended up crying so hard that I had to leave the theater to pull myself back together.
Just a great flick all the way around.
I love ET as a kid and now that I am a grandma, even the grand kids love it after all these years! He is so cute 🙂
ET call home!!! totally love this movie
Thanks for bringing back sweet memories. How I loved ET…
Great post.
ET was the very first movie I saw with my high school sweetheart. It brings back bittersweet memories as he left me. However, he cannot take away my memories and this will always be a fond one.
I loved this movie when I was young and would have to hesitation to allow my children and grandchildren to watch this. It’s a good clean, American fun and entertaining movie for all.
I loved this movie, it was awesome!
Bonny recently posted..Classic Snacks Made From Scratch Review and Giveaway – Ends 03-15-13
when i was a kid i loved et when the first movie came out
This was such a great movie!! I think my granddaughter would like it too!!
I still love this movie, we watch it as a family at least once a year!
This movie… I can watch this movie over and over all through my life and love it every time. Such a classic.
I THINK ET IS MY FAVORITE MOVIE SAW IT THE 1ST YEAR WE MOVED HERE AT XMAS AND DIDNT KNOW ANYONE AND WE TOOK KIDS TO SEE ET AND WE ALL LOVED IT . THEY ARE ALL GROWN AND HAVE THEIR OWN KIDS BUT ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT. BRINGS BACK NICE MEMORYS THANKS RAR
like every time you watch this movie is that you would never ever say no to watching these
RubyLou Reyes recently posted..My First Online Money
Thanks for sharing; ET was a fun and amazing movie for all ages!
Funny, but I’ve never seen ET. All I know about the movie is from the many (many, many….!) times I’ve been on the ride in Florida!
ET is one of my favorite movies of all time!! I cant wait until my granddaughter is old enough to watch it. She is only 2 so I say when she is about 5 she can watch it. I also rode the ET ride in DisneyWorld, Florida. GREAT RIDE!!
I just loved this guy!! My G’son watched it for the first time and fell in love. We laughed so hard, too fun.