The Goonies
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Movie Reviews of The Goonies
Movie Review: The Culmination of All Things 80's
Summary: 5 Stars
The Goonies DVD surpassed my expectations. Ranging from its easy-to-navigate 3-D menus to its extra features, this is certainly one of the most well-realized DVD's yet. The bonus features themselves make up for the long delay in its release. The commentary was undoubtedly the best part of the DVD: 17 years down the line, all seven main characters ("Mikey", Sean Austin; "Brad", Josh Brolin; "Chunk", Jeff Cohen; "Mouth", Cory Feldman; "Andi", Kerri Green; "Data", Ke Huy-Quan; "Stef", Martha Plimpton; and the director & producer of the film, Richard Donner) gather together and all sit viewing the film in a recording studio, reminiscing about their experience along the way. Most of the cast have changed beyond all recognition, as is evident by the brief "hidden video treasures" which are periodically shown throughout the film in its commentary-enabled mode. All four of the deleted scenes which were shown on the Disney Channel airing, but left out in the final cut, are included as "outtakes", and high-quality ones at that. It would have been great if, as an extra option, they could be incorporated in the film, but perhaps that's asking a little too much. Both parts of Cyndi Lauper's video, directed by none other that Richard Donner, are included. Along with a trailer which conveys absolutely none of the film's sense of adventure and charm. And last but not least, a 7-minute behind-the-scenes "Making of" which is quite interesting. Speaking as a layman, I found the sound & picture quality of the film absolutely extraordinary, given the time period when this film was made. There are very few negative aspects to this DVD; those there are range from the (minor) fact Warner Bros. opted for a cardboard snap case instead of the more traditional full-sleeve plastic case, to the more significant event of Sean Austin's mysterious "walk-out" in the middle of the commentary feature, to the (even more significant) fact that there weren't any bona fide "outtakes", nor other unearthed scenes, beyond what was included on the uncut Disney Channel's airing. When all's said and done, nothing beyond a 2-Disc Criterion Edition, is good enough for this film.Movie Review: Indiana Jones For a Younger Group
Summary: 5 Stars
What makes this movie so great is not only the great stories, but the lovable and believable characters.
The story starts actually quite sad in that some friends are going to have to leave their homes, which of course also means leaving each other. We then have just a glimmer of hope that they won't have to leave. (If they can find an old pirate's treasure.) Now what is interesting here is that the hope revolves around a willingness to believe again as a child.
Now what is interesting here is that the 4 young friends set off on this journey together, and gradually, Sean Astin's older brother, his possible girl friend, and her friend join the party. (The party started with 4 young children, and 3 older people ended up joining the party.)
They go through an interesting series of caves filled with traps in hopes of saving their homes. What is especially interesting here is that no one is there without a purpose. (Corey Feldman knows Spanish and can read the map; Data has some gadgets that may prove useful; Andy can play the keyboard at a crucial time; Brandon is a little older, so he may be acquainted with some dangers the younger crew is not ready for, etc.
Of course, we can't have it that easy. They are later persued by 3 The Fratellis who are very bad. But they carry a charm that makes them likable despite their crimes. A signature moment is when one of the Fratellis complains that his mother always liked the other son better, and then she slaps him and says: "That's right."
An especially funny moment with the Fratellis is when they want their prisoner Chunk to tell them EVERYTHING about the hidden treasure, but he takes it literally, and tells them every bad thing he ever did. And one of them gets interested in Chunk's confessions and responds: "I'm starting to like this kid."
While the movie may seem simple, it is never boring. And the delightful interaction of the characters who aren't exactly experts, but who all have something to contribute to this journey may very well thrust this movie into the classics.
It is emotionally enduring; funny; suspenseful; and full of adventure. Why? Because it's "The Goonies!"
Movie Review: Goonies Never Say Die!
Summary: 5 Stars
The Goonies.. What can I say? The Goonies was one of my all time favourite movies as a kid. It had everything - adventure, danger, treasure, cool gizmos, and bumbling bad guys. This, in my books, is the best kids adventure movie ever made. What's more, it is still great to watch as an adult - there are numerous gags that would just go straight over the heads of kids that now make so much more sense.
The Goondocks, in Astoria, are being demolished to make way for a golf course and resort. A local bunch of kids, who have affectionately named themselves The Goonies, are not taking the news too kindly as this is their favourite place in the whole wide world. On a rainy day before the Goondocks were due to be demolished Mikey Walsh (Sean Astin), Brandon Walsh (Josh Brolin), Mouth (Corey Feldman), Chunk (Jeff Cohen), and Data (Johnathon Ke Quan) are bumming around the Walsh house feeling very depressed. On a whim they decide to go rummaging through the attic, out-of-bounds to all mind you, and 'stumble' across an ancient treasure map and doubloon depicting the whereabouts of One-Eyed Willie and his treasure.
Needless to say The Goonies see this as a great adventure, not to mention a chance to pay off foreclosing banks! Along the way they get mixed up with the Fratellis, some of the most bumbling 'evil' criminals ever to grace the silver screen. Ma Fratelli (Anne Ramsey) is the matriach with a firm controlling hand on Jake (Robert Davi), and Francis (Joe Pantoliano). Boy, is Ma one scary lady! The Goonies also come across Andy (Kerri Green) and Stef (Martha Plimpton). These two join the swelling ranks of The Goonies and help wend their way through the caves and booby traps laid by One-Eyed Willie centuries ago.
Throw into this movie mix the enigmatic, and gigantically huge, Sloth (John Matuszak), booby traps, high adventure, a blender, a few bats, an octopus (almost!), incredible treasure, a one-eyed pirate, falling boulders, the most amazing waterslide, a few skeletons, and a buccaneer fight aboard an ancient pirate sloop - what more do you want? This is a great movie that I am very pleased to have in my collection.
Movie Review: Down here, it's our time. It's our time down here. That's all over the second we ride up Troy's bucket.
Summary: 5 Stars
Goonies, the greatest 80's movie of all times, is one of those movies that doesn't ever get old to me. I remember loving this movie as a kid, and as an adult, well, some things never change! I can still quote most lines from this movie, and although that annoys some people, other people love to quote it right back at me. The Goonies is an adventure from the get-go and it keeps you rooting for the Goonies the entire time while hating the Fratelli's. Donner and Spielberg have created a timeless movie with all of the pure 80's goodness. Let's face it: the hair, the outfits, the music, the sayings. It's all outdated. But the story and characters are timeless, and the movie is bursting with energy. Sean Astin is gold in this movie, and I was glad to see him get his career back on track after The Lord Of The Rings trilogy. And can I say that I had the biggest crush on Kerri Green?! Wow! She was great in "Lucas" as well. Corey Feldman, is well, he's Corey Feldman, and he's extremely annoying in the DVD commentary (so much so that his constant interrupting sends Sean Astin to leave and not come back!). Chunk does a great Truffle Shuffle and other characters round out this wildly entertaining adventure. And there are funny little mistakes in the movie (like Sean Astin calling Josh Brolin "Josh" instead of by his character's name "Brand" when they are in the basement), but the deleted scenes help answer some of those mistakes (like the octopus being scary). Watching the deleted scenes makes you feel like it was the right decision that they were deleted because most of them DID NOT look good! I am actually pretty happy that there never was a sequel as I think it probably wouldn't have been that good and that our expectations would be too high, and ultimately, all of us who loved the original would have been disappointed. And I do agree that this movie is actually more like a PG-13 movie. Too much unnecessary language that shouldn't have been there in the first place.Movie Review: Good enough for me!
Summary: 5 Stars
Watching THE GOONIES again today, sixteen years after its initial release, I realize it's not the greatest movie ever made. The dialogue is sometimes goofy, the jokes are corny, the set pieces are occasionally a little simplistic (come on -- the piano scene? The waterslide?!?!). But still, I love THE GOONIES. I love it! And as easy as it is to see its flaws, it's even easier to see why it's so much fun...- The actors. The cast is enormously appealing, from the incomparable Martha Plimpton to the sweet Kerri Green to the adorably self-deprecating Jeff B. Cohen. Even Corey Haim -- oops, I mean Feldman -- does a great job. Plus, Anne Ramsey, Jon Matuszak and on and on and on. Not a weak link in the whole cast.
- The premise. GOONIES is perfect escapist fun for kids. While it's clearly not in the same league as RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK, it tries to be the same kind of stunt-filled adventure movie for a younger audience. It's great fun for kids, because in this movie, a group of adolescents get to save the day.
And mostly...
- This package. Clearly a lot of care and love went into making this DVD. When the entire cast (plus the director) of any film can be reassembled after sixteen years, you know everyone involved has a great fondness in their hearts for the project. And that fondness is evident on screen. This DVD has TONS of extras, including one of the best commentary tracks I've ever heard (and, in this case, seen!) and some fun outtakes.
If you're at all a fan of the film, you owe it to yourself to buy this DVD. You won't be disappointed. And, if the internet rumors are to be believed, there's the possibility of a sequel sometime in the future. What better way to convince Warner Brothers to greenlight GOONIES 2 than to scoop up a copy of this DVD ASAP? The better this sells, the better our chance of getting more GOONIES. And I for one, can't wait!