They don’t make films like this any more: written by Steven Spielberg and directed by Richard Donner; The Goonies is an adventure that appeals to both kids and adults in equal measures. The Goonies are a group of kids who live on the “Goon Docks” in Astoria, Oregon – but not for long. A ruthless businessman is turning the local area into a golf course and the local residents have seemingly no choice but to sell up and leave their beloved area. When the gang find an old treasure map however they decide to go on one last adventure in the hope of finding the riches that could rescue their homes.
I hadn’t seen this film for many, many years and finally watching it on DVD after all this time was pure enjoyment from beginning to end. Films like this, made today rarely work this well, the key elements are a great story by Spielberg, great direction from Donner and some excellent acting from the kids – add these up and you have a superbly enjoyable action adventure movie. As I say the acting on the whole is very good, extremely mature performances are put in Corey Feldman, Jeff Cohen and Sean Astin to name just three and all manage to be realistic and very funny. The action throughout is great, just think of a small scale Indiana Jones and you’ll be somewhere close to what you see here. Set piece after set piece put together by Donner provide fantastic excitement and the excellent special effects stand up even against some of today’s efforts. The comedy is also paramount to the enjoyment, and it’s not childish humour either, Chunk is the obvious laugh throughout but the baddies are also great value played by Robert Davi and Memento’s Joe Pantoliano.
The enjoyment I got from watching The Goonies was not just nostalgic memories, this film is great entertainment and should be in everyone’s collection.
Movie Quote : “I’m gonna hit you so hard, when you wake up your clothes will be out of style!”
starring : Sean Astin, Josh Brolin, Jeff Cohen, Corey Feldman, Kerri Green, Martha Plimpton, Jonathan Ke Quan, John Matuszak, Robert Davi, Joe Pantoliano
