Before Steven Spielberg tackled racial issues in films like THE COLOR PURPLE and AMISTAD, he had made a film that extols the beauty of understanding and friendship between different races and cultures. It was a seemingly innocuous fantasy called E.T. THE EXTRA TERRESTRIAL, about a little boy who braves language and other barriers to develop a spiritual kinship with an outer space alien stranded on Earth. The success of this film is in no small part due to the well-developed and convincing portrayal of E.T., a grotesque-looking figure who becomes an understanding companion, a wise older friend, a mischievous creature at times, and yet ultimately a saintly, noble being. This is a rare film that offers a poignant celebration of our good natures.

Just as he made an "enhanced version" of CLOSE ENCOUNTER OF THE 3RD KIND in 1980, Spielberg re-released E.T. in 2002 with what I would consider pretty extensive modifications to the 1982 version. Many of the changes are harmless, such as the various re-touchings of backdrops to make them look more realistic, refinements of some special effects shots, the addition of a scene of E.T. taking a bath (to show more of E.T.'s playfulness), and the significantly re-shot flying sequences that quite seamlessly match the originals. The removal of the shot that suggests a shotgun is to be used against E.T. and the boy doesn't bother me, as it does others. I remember in my first viewing back in '82, I thought the idea of any physical menace to E.T. was needlessly threatening, since the possibility of E.T's capture by scientists was already terrible enough.

Some of the changes in the '02 version, while harmless, are unnecessary. In the first shot of the spaceship, it emits blue lights, whereas in the '82 version, they are red (the film's emblematic color). The word "terrorist" has been eliminated from an off-screen dialog, and replaced with the rather odd "hippie." Just before the first flying sequence, the boy plunges down the cliff several feet further than he does in the '82 version, making his movement look a little less fluid.

Some of the changes, however, are ill-advised. The opening sequence has been revised to show more of E.T., including an added medium shot that shows E.T.'s entire body. In the '82 version, we never get a good look at the alien during this sequence, so that when it suddenly appears in a close-up view a few scenes later, we are genuinely startled. The least desirable changes are the ones that enhance E.T.'s facial expressions and body movements. The close-up view of a frightened E.T. in the boy's backyard early in the film has been re-created entirely with computer-generated images (CGI). The overzealous CGI artists have given E.T. a lot of exaggerated body movements, and the result not only doesn't nearly have as much impact as the spooky and haggard mechanical E.T. in the '82 version, but it looks rather comical and cartoon-like. In fact, throughout the '02 version, whenever E.T. shows any sort of strong emotion, the CGI enhancements fail considerably in capturing the precise tone of E.T.'s disposition. They either make E.T. look a little too agile, a little too cartoonish, too silly, and a little too physically demonstrative that is unfit for the gentle nature of the film.

Fortunately, the 3-disc "Ultimate Gift Set" DVD (SRP $69.98, actually a 4-disc set, with 3 DVDs and 1 music CD of the film's soundtrack) and the cheaper 2-disc DVD set (SRP $29.98) have both the '82 and '02 versions. Both versions have restored video transfers that look identical in quality. (The folks at the DVDFile site did notice minor differences in the two transfers, however.) The Dolby Digital and DTS audio tracks sound terrific, with the DTS track offering a little more "oomph." Mysteriously, the Ultimate Gift Set has no DTS track for the '82 version. This is not a pressing error, for the specifications on the box clearly state that only the '02 version has a DTS track. The cheaper 2-disc set does have DTS tracks for both '82 and '02 versions. Both the Ultimate Gift Set and the 2-disc set have a separate audio track of a live recording of the '02 theatrical premiere, complete with cheers and applauses from the audience and a score conducted live by John Williams. Note that this is not an isolated music track. You still hear the film's dialogs and sound effects (which sound a little reverberated in the recording environment).

Other DVD extras of note include a 37-minute "Look back" featurette (which is not on the 2-disc set) and a 50-minute featurette "Evolution and Creation of E.T" (2-disc set has a 24-minute version of it) which offer fascinating footage of Spielberg giving direction on the set and present-day reminiscences from the cast and crew. There is a 10-minute featurette (not on 2-disc set) that shows footage of John Williams composing and conducting the E.T. score. There is also a 17-minute footage from '02 theatrical premiere event.

The Ultimate Gift Set also includes a 192-page hard-cover book called "From Concepts to Classic" that is well worth the price. It is replete with photos and drawings, many of which are rarely seen (there is a still from a deleted scene of E.T. entering Mom's bedroom that suggests E.T.'s crush on her!). There is a section on the many modifications for the '02 version of the film, including many technical details -- new child actors were hired to shoot the modified flying sequences while the old backdrops were used. Also, the complete screenplay of the film ('02 version only) is included, with many side notes pointing out interesting facts about the film.

The DVD also has a link to the "Total Axess" web site that offers more bonus material. It requires running the included "InterActual Player" in order to access the site. Using another browser to access it may not work. Also, your browser needs to accept permanent cookies. You need to log on at the site with an e-mail address. You may need to re-log on from time to time because it sometimes "forgets" you. Under the "Exclusive Photos" section, there are 9 pictures, none of which are really special. In the streaming video section, there are 4 clips of Drew Barrymore, Erika Eleniak, Spielberg, and Henry Thomas at the '02 theatrical premiere. You are not able to save any of these contents into your computer -- clearly the site's intention. The site promises more material will be forthcoming. Since this DVD is a limited edition and will be discontinued by the end of the year, I wonder for how long the site will keep this up.


Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 9 - 12