The Goonies - Review

"Goonies never say die" – A review of The Goonies.

I was an imaginative child. I often dreamed of running off on some adventure, riding dragons, exploring dense jungles or, of course, going in search of pirate treasure. It is then no surprise that I absolutely loved – and still do love – The Goonies. Released in 1985 and based on a story created and produced by the legendary Steven Spielberg, written by Chris Columbus and directed by Richard Donner, the film was inspired by the childhood of Spielberg himself, who loved adventure stories. Full of excitement and memorable characters, this is a film which has continued to capture the hearts of audience's decades after its release, and I still absolutely love it.

Set in Oregon, The Goonies is the story of a group of children who discover an old treasure map in an attic at a time when their homes are at risk because of developers. The children set off on an extraordinary adventure to find the secret treasure of pirate, One-Eyed Willy, their journey leading them through secret passages, booby-trapped tunnels and encounters with the dangerous Fratelli family, who are in search of the very same treasure. This is a story full of charm, heart and humour, coming together to form a film which all ages can enjoy.

The cast really does a fantastic job in this film. A young Sean Astin plays Mikey, the group's leader, and he is sincere, optimistic and pretty asthmatic, bringing emotional yet determined strength to the role. Brandon "Brand" Walsh is played by Josh Brolin, Mikeys older, protective brother, whilst Lawrence "Chunk" Cohen is played by Jeff Cohen, who is lovable, clumsy and known for the iconic "truffle shuffle".

Clark "Mouth" Devereaux is played by Corey Feldman, who is sarcastic, chatty and witty, and other actors, such as Ke Huy Quan as Richard "Data" Wang, Kerri Green as Andy Carmichael and Martha Plimpton as Stef Steinbrenner all bring a feeling of camaraderie and vulnerability which makes the group so endearing to watch. They are, of course, joined by Sloth, played by John Maruszak, an honorary Goonie – a character I have loved since childhood. The villains of the film are played by Anne Ramsey, Joe Pantoliano and Robert Davi, and they add a layer of ridiculously slapstick menace, bringing a little tension and a lot of humour to the plot.

The Goonies is all about adventure, friendship and loyalty, celebrating childhood imagination and adventurous spirits. Self-discovery, belonging and community are all explored, as is the value of courage and teamwork, making this a heart-warming and charming film.

I really do love this film. I remember singing along to Cyndi Lauper's "The Goonies R Good Enough" in my living room as a kid so many times that I'm sure my parents considered hiding the film away in the attic (they never did, thankfully, although I can't say the same for my younger childhood favourite, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang) but I truly believe this is a great film regardless of my nostalgia for it. Entertaining, heart-warming and escapist, this is a film with an adventurous plot, strong performances throughout and genuinely thoughtful themes which captures the joy and thrill of childhood adventure and imagination. Whether you're discovering The Goonies for the first time or revisiting it again, I'm sure you'll have a great time with this absolute gem of a film.

Written by Tam Page

Posted by Mr. Tomney

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