The eighties were above all the greatest decade for imagination. They were the days of more adventure, science fiction and action movies than one could count ants in an ant colony. They were the days when legendary Directors like Spielberg, Lucas, Cameron and Scott dictated movie making and redefined the whole meaning of movie-going. A time when CGI was scarce and unnecessary for make believe, yet where realism was at its peak and brainless audiences didn't require something blowing up every 5 seconds before they lost interest. In other words, it was the decade of wonder and patience. These directors pulled us into their vivid worlds - the worlds we only dreamed about - and we believed and loved every minute of them. Today films are so fast food, I just don't care anymore!
It is this why I must write about 'The Goonies' (produced by Spielberg). Is there one guy in the world, born in the 80's, who wasn't affected by the release of this joy of a film? For whoever liked the Indiana Jones trilogy, this was an extension of that vision. It is a roller-coaster ride from start to finish. A pirate treasure story including caverns, mind boggling originality in booby traps, adventurous, inventive and resourceful kids just like Indiana willing to risk their lives for the desirable exotic adventure experience and the biggest and coolest water slide on the face of the Earth. Adventure was every kid's obsession and here is a film realizing that obsession - kids could relate better here than in Indiana Jones due to the leads being your kids next-door kind of 'kids'. This is why many from the eighties consider it their favorite film. This is not to say that this film hasn't got its fair share of obvious flaws, however the story, the acting and directing (as assisted by Spielberg himself) outweighs completely everything else.
The story takes place in the coastal US town of 'Astoria', surrounding four friends around the age of 12'ish who call themselves "The Goonies" - Goonies being another name for an Albatross of some sort. Composing the gang are 'Mikey', played by Sean Astin (Toy Soldiers), 'Mouth', played by Corey Feldman (Stand By Me), 'Data', played by Jonathan Ke Quan (Indiana Jones and The Temple Of Doom) and 'Chunk', played by Jeff Cohen. Unfortunately for these kids, their friendship and their lives as they know them may be torn apart due to their houses being bought and broken down by a rich, greedy bureaucrat who wishes to build a useless Golf Course on that very same piece of land they live on. To the gang's coincidental surprise, however, whilst sorting through Mikey's dad's attic antiquity they come across a priceless and legendary Pirate Treasure Map.
The gang figures if the legend is true and the Treasure is found, they can pay back for the houses their parents couldn't afford to keep. With little interest from the rest of the gang including his own brother, Mikey finally convinces them about the treasure hunt, reminding them of the importance of finding it and regaining their properties. With Mikey's resourceful and smart head, Data's ridiculous yet ingenious inventions, Mouth's unstoppable mouth, and Chunk's ever growling stomach, 'The Goonies' set out on an adventure, who along with Mikey's brother, pick up a few other friends along the way to join them. Unfortunately the clues that lead to the caverns of the lost treasure intersect with wanted thieving criminals known as the 'Fratellis'. However, this is not the only obstacle the Goonies have to conquer - for Spielberg and Richard Donner showcase their highly inventive and famous booby traps that still excite. What follows is the unforgettable pirate adventure story of 'One Eyed Willy'.
The acting in this film is flawless. The kids, especially Corey Feldman who has always been a teen actor favorite of mine, had so much enthusiasm in their roles, that you are convinced they are for real. The Fratelli's were funny, but none funnier than 'Data', my personal favorite 'Goonie'.
Set Designs were a marvel. Who needs graphics when you're working with Spielberg? The caverns looked so real, like it was an actual place - dusty and dirty and all....
Most impressive however was the cinematography and the music, both which establish the atmosphere of the film so vividly and brilliantly. Every time I watch this film, I think of Cindy Lauper's great song. The orchestral music is also wonderful adding an authentic feel of adventure to the surrounding sets. Cinematography was masterfully realized and I loved the beautiful scenery of the coast and the caverns.
This great film, although filled with many flaws, is one of my childhood favorites and even in this day and age with the world gone Topsy turvy, I still love this movie to bits - as well as I loved it the first time I saw it. It was directed by Richard Donner, but feels like a Steven Spielberg movie. It has his signature all over the place. I can only summarize this film in one word. It's a 'classic'. A must see for those who are young at heart and who have always had that longing for adventure.
It is this why I must write about 'The Goonies' (produced by Spielberg). Is there one guy in the world, born in the 80's, who wasn't affected by the release of this joy of a film? For whoever liked the Indiana Jones trilogy, this was an extension of that vision. It is a roller-coaster ride from start to finish. A pirate treasure story including caverns, mind boggling originality in booby traps, adventurous, inventive and resourceful kids just like Indiana willing to risk their lives for the desirable exotic adventure experience and the biggest and coolest water slide on the face of the Earth. Adventure was every kid's obsession and here is a film realizing that obsession - kids could relate better here than in Indiana Jones due to the leads being your kids next-door kind of 'kids'. This is why many from the eighties consider it their favorite film. This is not to say that this film hasn't got its fair share of obvious flaws, however the story, the acting and directing (as assisted by Spielberg himself) outweighs completely everything else.
The story takes place in the coastal US town of 'Astoria', surrounding four friends around the age of 12'ish who call themselves "The Goonies" - Goonies being another name for an Albatross of some sort. Composing the gang are 'Mikey', played by Sean Astin (Toy Soldiers), 'Mouth', played by Corey Feldman (Stand By Me), 'Data', played by Jonathan Ke Quan (Indiana Jones and The Temple Of Doom) and 'Chunk', played by Jeff Cohen. Unfortunately for these kids, their friendship and their lives as they know them may be torn apart due to their houses being bought and broken down by a rich, greedy bureaucrat who wishes to build a useless Golf Course on that very same piece of land they live on. To the gang's coincidental surprise, however, whilst sorting through Mikey's dad's attic antiquity they come across a priceless and legendary Pirate Treasure Map.
The gang figures if the legend is true and the Treasure is found, they can pay back for the houses their parents couldn't afford to keep. With little interest from the rest of the gang including his own brother, Mikey finally convinces them about the treasure hunt, reminding them of the importance of finding it and regaining their properties. With Mikey's resourceful and smart head, Data's ridiculous yet ingenious inventions, Mouth's unstoppable mouth, and Chunk's ever growling stomach, 'The Goonies' set out on an adventure, who along with Mikey's brother, pick up a few other friends along the way to join them. Unfortunately the clues that lead to the caverns of the lost treasure intersect with wanted thieving criminals known as the 'Fratellis'. However, this is not the only obstacle the Goonies have to conquer - for Spielberg and Richard Donner showcase their highly inventive and famous booby traps that still excite. What follows is the unforgettable pirate adventure story of 'One Eyed Willy'.
The acting in this film is flawless. The kids, especially Corey Feldman who has always been a teen actor favorite of mine, had so much enthusiasm in their roles, that you are convinced they are for real. The Fratelli's were funny, but none funnier than 'Data', my personal favorite 'Goonie'.
Set Designs were a marvel. Who needs graphics when you're working with Spielberg? The caverns looked so real, like it was an actual place - dusty and dirty and all....
Most impressive however was the cinematography and the music, both which establish the atmosphere of the film so vividly and brilliantly. Every time I watch this film, I think of Cindy Lauper's great song. The orchestral music is also wonderful adding an authentic feel of adventure to the surrounding sets. Cinematography was masterfully realized and I loved the beautiful scenery of the coast and the caverns.
This great film, although filled with many flaws, is one of my childhood favorites and even in this day and age with the world gone Topsy turvy, I still love this movie to bits - as well as I loved it the first time I saw it. It was directed by Richard Donner, but feels like a Steven Spielberg movie. It has his signature all over the place. I can only summarize this film in one word. It's a 'classic'. A must see for those who are young at heart and who have always had that longing for adventure.