One of the most memorable movies as a child for me was E.T: The Extra-Terrestrial. Recently when I watched it again, listening to the line “E.T. phone home” brought back memories of me sitting there with my siblings while the VHS played that remarkable line. In this day and age, everyone has cell phones and social media, but back then, phoning home really meant something. But some new technology is a welcome addition to this movie. Instead of the old VHS and small TV of the ’90s, the stunning 4K quality brings the movie to life. Previously you could only see the high quality definition in theaters. Now, the movie is available with great detail for everyone to enjoy with the new 4K Ultra HD + Blu Ray 35th Anniversary version of E.T. 

E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial 35th Anniversary Edition 4K Ultra HD + Blu-Ray Review - Theresa's Reviews

E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial 35th Anniversary 4K Ultra HD + Blu Ray Review

Plot

Most adults know the story of E.T. getting stranded on Earth and trying to make his way back home, but for a new generation of children, this story is completely new. Watching the 35th anniversary version almost makes the story new for you as you can re-live story of Elliot and E.T’s friendship through the look of wonder in your children’s eyes. Seeing your children’s excitement during the movie brings back memories of you as a child imagining that your life could be as exciting as Elliot’s, with a special friend that only you can have show up in your backyard.

E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial 35th Anniversary Edition 4K Ultra HD + Blu-Ray Review - Theresa's Reviews

Picture Quality

The most impressive part of the movie to me was the stunning picture quality. Each scene was far more captivating in high definition. As a child, I didn’t see the movie in movie theaters. I only saw it on a VHS on a small TV. But now, as an adult, the story that I already knew so well seemed refreshed and revitalized as I watched it at home. When E.T. and Elliot rode the bike across the backdrop of the moon, it appeared larger than life on my big screen TV. I can only imagine how cool it looked to my children.

E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial 35th Anniversary Edition 4K Ultra HD + Blu-Ray Review - Theresa's Reviews

Bonus Features

One of the best parts of buying the movie is having access to over three hours of bonus features.In The E.T. Journals, you can watch behind the scenes footage of the day-to-day experience of making the movie shot by Academy Award-winning cinematographer John Toll. I enjoyed Steven Spielberg & E.T., which is an interview with Steven Spielberg as he talks about his experience on set and his  thoughts on the movie.

Other bonus features include The Music of E.T.: A Discussion with John Williams (interviews showing the relationship between John Williams and Steven Spielberg), Designs, Photographs, and Marketing of E.T, Marketing E.T. A Look Back (production photographs and designs), The E.T. Reunion, The 20th Anniversary Premiere (behind the scenes of the premiere), Theatrical Trailer, and Deleted Scenes. My children enjoyed watching the deleted scenes with me because we could watch footage that was shot and never included in the movie. Getting an insider’s look at how the movie was created made owning the movie well worth it.

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Disclosure: I received a free item, but it in no way influenced my opinion.

28 Responses

  1. robin rue

    I saw this in the theaters when it originally came out. I LOVVVVVE this movie.

    Reply
  2. Jessica Joachim

    I loved this movie as a kid! I think it would be really fun to get it and introduce my daughter to it now! It kind of makes me feel old though lol

    Reply
  3. Beth Davidson

    ET is older than me? What?! I remember watching this over and over. Although the ET on the ride at Universal called me Ethan one time, and we had a little falling out after that. My son’s not quite ready to watch it yet, but I’m excited for when he is!

    Reply
  4. Andrea

    This is one of those classic movies. I haven’t seen it in a while. I would see this movie a lot as a kid with my mom. It is one of her ultimate fav movies. Thanks for the memory!

    Reply
  5. Lori Geurin

    E.T. is such a great and memorable movie! I haven’t watched it in years. I remember when it came out, seeing it in the movie theater for the first time. Everyone was talking about E.T.

    Reply
  6. Erica

    It’s amazing that this movie still entertains kids today. Even though we have so many more special effects than existed back in the day, sometimes just good storytelling prevails. Can’t believe ET is 35 years old. That’s crazy.

    Reply
  7. Kansas Bonanno

    I can honestly say that I’ve never ever seen ET! Maybe this will be a great movie day for me and my hubby!

    Reply
  8. Kristina

    Can’t believe it’s 35 years old! I remember seeing this as a kid. I need to show it to my kids!

    Reply
  9. Karen Morse

    I love that there’s an updated version of this movie, it’s a classic that everyone should have in their collection! I really like the picture quality. It’s definitely something that I’d love to get!

    Reply
  10. Cassie

    Now doesn’t this make us all feel really old?!? Such a beautiful movie, I think I’ll have to buy a copy for my niece and nephew to enjoy!

    Reply
  11. Rachel

    I can’t believe it has been that long. My parents tell me that this was the first movie they took me to see.

    Reply
  12. Melissa Vera

    This is absolutely one of my favorite movies ever. Our local museum is planning on showing this on one of their movies on the lawn nights and I so am taking my daughter.

    Reply
  13. reesa

    I need this! I just watched ET with the kids last weekend and they loved it!

    Reply
  14. Donah SJB

    I can’t really relate to this since I haven’t seen this movie. But it really looks good, the photography and graphics. But better to see to judge.

    Reply
  15. Heather

    I always love to see the bonus features that purchased movies come with. We showed our kids ET last year, and they loved it! It is so fun to relive our own childhood memories with our kids now! I can’t believe it came out 35 years ago…

    Reply
  16. Heather

    I loved this movie as a child and want my daughters to love it too! We definitely will be planning a family movie night soon.

    Reply
  17. Cindy Ingalls

    I love E.T. It is a childhood classic. Knowing that is it 35 yrs old makes me feel super old. Can’t wait to share this amazing tale with my nieces and nephew.

    Reply
  18. Nicole

    I never was a huge fan of the movie growing up , but I forgot how much Stranger Things were inspired by movies like ET!

    Reply

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