E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial 20th Anniversary Special

This special edition of the beloved classic revisits the story of a lonely boy named Elliott who befriends an alien stranded on Earth. Elliott and his siblings embark on a mission to help the gentle creature return to its home planet while keeping its existence a secret from the government. The anniversary edition includes digitally remastered footage and some minor alterations to the original film.

The 20th Anniversary Edition of E.T. generally received positive reviews, with critics often praising the film's enduring emotional impact and Spielberg's masterful direction. While some appreciated the visual enhancements, a segment of viewers and critics expressed reservations about the changes made to the original cut, particularly the alteration of certain scenes involving guns and the addition of CGI elements.

• Praised for its timeless themes of friendship and wonder.

• Appreciated for its emotional resonance and Spielberg's directorial vision.

• Divided opinions on the necessity and impact of the digital alterations and added scenes.

Google audience: Google users overwhelmingly loved the anniversary edition, highlighting its continued ability to evoke strong emotions and its universal appeal. Many users expressed nostalgia and appreciation for the film's heartwarming story and its lasting impact across generations, though a few commented on the changes made from the original release.

The original film won numerous awards, including four Academy Awards (Best Original Score, Best Sound, Best Sound Effects Editing, and a Special Achievement Award for Visual Effects) and was nominated for Best Picture and Best Director. The 20th Anniversary Edition was largely re-evaluated based on its remastering and alterations.

For the 20th Anniversary Edition, Steven Spielberg re-shot some scenes and added computer-generated imagery (CGI), most notably replacing the guns held by government agents with walkie-talkies and altering the ending sequence to give E.T. a more expressive, digitally enhanced goodbye.