the goonies review
It would be disingenuous to begin without coming clean that this is one of my all-time favorite films. I’d hazard a guess that many of my contemporaries feel the same way. The wide-eyed wonder and innocence captured by The Goonies in featuring a cast comprised mostly of children is a risky formula - when it works the magic created is stunning. The film holds up perfectly in present day and continues to inspire decades after release in contemporary shows like Stranger Things. But what is it about The Goonies, directed by Richard Donner, that causes it to stand out amongst a glut of rose-colored eighties movies? It can’t be nostalgia alone. Was it seeing Mikey grow up in front of our eyes with that stolen kiss from Andy? Mouth’s heartbreaking proclamation that his one wish had been taken from him? The truffle-shuffle? That unmistakable Richard Donner sense of excitement and adventure? The answer is "pick one." Or pick several. The Goonies has a powerful and oft-overlooked message about showing kindness to those who need it most and not judging a book by its cover. I credit the story arc of the late John Matuszak’s Sloth as my very first exposure to the notion that anyone can overcome a bad situation with the help of a caring friend. Chunk could’ve dismissed Sloth and Sloth had every reason to give up hope and embrace anger. But you don’t do that when you have the heart of a (super) hero. Rest in Power, John (and Richard). I always felt Mouth used humor as a defense mechanism to cope with the turmoil the movie alludes to him experiencing at home. Who can’t relate to that on some level?