At the Movies with Alan Gekko: The Goonies “85”

MPAA Rating: PG/Genre: Adventure Comedy/Stars: Sean Astin, Josh Brolin, Jeff Cohen, Corey Feldman, Ke Huy Quan, Kerri Green, Martha Plimpton, John Matuszak, Robert Davi, Joe Pantoliano, Anne Ramsey, Mary Ellen Trainor, Keith Walker, Lupe Ontiveros, Curt Hanson, Steve Antin, Paul Tuerpe, George Robotham, Michael Paul Chan/Runtime: 114 minutes

It might shock the smaller adults (or kids as they are also called) of today to learn this, but there was in fact a time where young people did not need the Internet or anything even remotely related to it in order to spend time together (astonishing I know). Indeed I have no shame (though perhaps a fair bit of sadness) in saying it, but I truthfully feel that I may actually be a part of the last generation to remember a time where “being with your friends” was less about gossiping about so and so on social media, video chatting over Skype, or making Pinterest pages together and more about exploring homes under construction, being out in nature, climbing trees (and maybe falling out of one or two along the way), riding scooters down to the end of the cul-de-sac, wasting at the very least 15-20 dollars in quarters at the arcade (yes those were actually a thing) in the bowling alley, and just in general using our imaginations to conjure up a wide variety of exciting adventures that we still remember fondly in our minds and in our hearts. As wonderful as those adventures (minus the possible falling out of the tree which I shall not comment one way or the other on for reasons of a pride-rooted nature) were however, there is one that I sadly never got the chance to experience. That being that I honestly can’t recall a time where my childhood friends and I found ourselves going on a hunt for pirate treasure in order to save our homes from being torn down all while being hunted down by a more than slightly dysfunctional family of bumbling criminals. Yet even though my younger self never got the opportunity to have that kind of remarkable adventure in person, there is at least one way that I was able to do this (and still go on it to this day come to think). That being through a film from the “long-ago year” of 1985, and slice of cinema I happen to be reviewing for you today incidentally, known as The Goonies. A film that showcases what would happen if a group of delightfully endearing young people found themselves getting the chance to go on a rather incredible adventure courtesy of a map, an infamous pirate named One-Eyed Willy, and the powers of belief and friendship in equal measure. It also happens to be a slice of cinema that I hold in quite high regard ever since the first time I saw it at the age of about 6-7 years old. To be sure it is most assuredly not a flawless and/or perfect film by any stretch of the imagination, but even so there is no denying that with the aid of solid work both behind and in front of the camera The Goonies “85” is one funny, riveting, and genuinely delightful adventure that movie lovers age 7-77 (and beyond come to think) are sure to enjoy time and time again.

The plot is as follows: Taking us to the locale of Astoria in the state of Oregon, The Goonies gets its story underway by introducing us to a quartet of boys who have formed a group known as the “Goonies” (due to residing in the Goon Docks part of town). These boys are shy and asthmatic group leader Mikey, the bungling and more than slightly fluffy Lawrence or “Chunk” as the others call him, the snarky and quite impudent “Mouth”, and 007 fanboy/aspiring inventor “Data” respectively. As our story begins, we see that the group, along with Mikey’s older brother Brand, have gloomily gathered together for what looks like to be one last weekend together. This is because, for some time prior to the start of our movie, all of the boys’ respective homes have been under threat by a group of contractors looking to expand an already existing country club and sadly it looks like the boys’ parents won’t be able to stop the developers from going ahead with the demolition efforts. As a result, all of the boys are dealing with the very real possibility that tomorrow they will all be going their separate ways and never seeing each other again. Fortunately for the boys, and their respective families, we see that Lady Fate, in that rather mysterious way of hers, might wish for them to be able to stay where they are and has a plan to see to it that they be given at least a fighting chance to do so. A plan that begins to take form when, whilst in the middle of poking around the attic in Mikey’s house, we see that the boys find themselves stumbling upon both an old coin from 1632 and a map which seems to claim that it is a way to find a vast treasure that allegedly belonged to a pirate, and local legend, by the name of One-Eyed Willy. Seeing as how this treasure could help their parents save their homes, and if not at the very least give them one heck of a last adventure, we see that the boys make their way to a rundown restaurant that seems to be the place where the map is leading them. Upon arriving however, we, along with our group, discover that the rundown establishment is more than just a place to get some delicious crab cakes, popcorn shrimp, or hush puppies. Rather, it is also a hideout for a local, and literal, family of criminals known as the Fratellis who decide, for reasons I shan’t spoil here, that our group is a liability that needs to be dealt with if you get my meaning. Thus with the odds against them and the Fratellis on their trail, can our group, alongside Brand, his crush Andy, and Andy’s bestie Stephanie come together, follow the map, see if the stories of treasure are in fact true, and make it out of this adventure in one piece? That I will leave for you to discover….

Now, much like how a treasure map is essential should one wish to even attempt to locate buried treasure (unless it’s a map designed to show you just where all the cartridges for E.T. on the Atari are located out in the middle of the desert), it should be said that the work done by the various departments behind the camera definitely help guide this slice of cinema to being as treasured of an outing as it ultimately turns out to be. Without question, this starts with the work done in the director’s chair by the late yet great Richard Donner (1978’s Superman, 1976’s The Omen, all 4 Lethal Weapon movies) and this too makes for another winning entry on the man’s truly eclectic yet undeniably entertaining resume. Indeed there are perhaps a few things that help to make Donner’s direction on this film as well-done as it is. The first being that Donner, much like some of his other cinematic outings, does a fantastic job here of combining a thrilling adventure, an ample amount of genuinely funny humor, and a wonderful degree of heart into a single film while also ensuring that each of those elements works in tandem with the others rather than against each other at any point during the runtime. Along with that, it should also be said that Donner does a terrific job of giving audiences a tempo to the narrative that ensures it can consistently keep you on the edge of your seat whilst also knowing when to give us genuinely heartwarming moments with the main characters so that way, by and large, you are also able to relate to them in some way as people. Alongside the wonderful job done by Donner at the helm, this slice of cinema also features a terrific screenplay as penned by Chris Columbus (the first 2 Harry Potter films and the first 2 Home Alone films). Indeed Columbus does a beautiful job at, much like Donner’s directorial work, not only successfully capturing a thrilling vibe to the proceedings, but also at conjuring up for audiences a distinct feeling of both adventure and even genuine friendship between the members of the titular group. Besides the aforementioned two groups, this film also features spot-on work from Nick McLean (City Heat from 1984, Cobra from 1986, and the TV show FRIENDS among others) in the cinematography department. Indeed not only does McLean’s work here brilliantly synch up with the ever-present atmosphere of fun, engaging, and yet also a bit mysterious, but it also works so well with some of the other departments that the film is able to conjure up quite the immersive setting for both the characters and the audience to become invested in as well.  Lastly, I feel that this section would be lacking if I didn’t take some time to focus on the work done by iconic composer Dave Grusin on the film’s musical accompaniment. Yes I can definitely see how the guy who did the score for, among other things, The Graduate might be a rather….unique choice for this film. Even so however, there is no denying that Grusin is able to provide the film with a beautiful score that is an equal blend of thrilling and lively yet also nuanced and heartwarming at points as well. Suffice it to say that when you also factor in undeniably talented work from the always skilled Michael Kahn in the editing department among others it’s clear that yes there are a few issues here and there, but overall the work done behind the camera is most assuredly good enough and then some in the best way possible.

Alongside the superb work done by the various departments behind the camera, this cinematic outing is also blessed to have equally as terrific work done in front of the camera by an extremely well-chosen cast of talent. Without a doubt in my mind, this starts with the work done by Sean Astin (Sam from Lord of the Rings) in the lead role and he is extremely well cast here. Indeed as Mikey, we see that Astin does a fantastic job of not only rooting the film in a way that feels realistic, but he also brings equal degrees of hope, bravery, and even genuine heartfelt emotion in a couple of scenes including one near the end that really help to make the character worth rooting for as the film goes along. Alongside the incredible work done by Astin, this slice of cinema also has a terrific performance from Corey Feldman as group smart aleck “Mouth”. Indeed Feldman does a remarkable job here of giving the film a fair amount of charm and genuinely funny humor through a combination of a hearty amount of lines that are witty in the best way possible and just an overall snarky style that really help to make this character one of the most iconic comedy relief-types in movies from the 80s. We are also treated to a terrific performance from Josh “Thanos” Brolin” in the role of Mikey’s older brother Brand. Yes this is a character that easily could have been a very one-note character, but we see that Brolin does a terrific job of giving the character a sense of responsibility, physical strength, and even a few moments where he does show that he genuinely cares about his brother despite their typical sibling bickering. The film also gives us a wonderful turn from Ke Huy Quan in the role of Data. Indeed Quan succeeds in giving us a character who might be a bit on the nerdy side, but who undoubtedly is far and away the smartest of the kids especially when it comes to the (if I’m being honest) really freaking cool inventions that he has come up with and which he shows off at various points throughout the movie. With all of that in mind though, I think the most iconic performance in the movie has to come from Jeff Cohen in the pivotal role of the Goonie known as Chunk (and not just because of the dance the other boys make him do). Yes, this character is very much set up as being just comic relief at the start, but as the film goes on we see that Cohen does a magnificent job of ensuring that (while still funny) the character is also able to come into his own and become a genuine hero whilst also forming a bond with a certain character that is truly heartwarming in the best way possible. Lastly, this section would not be complete by any means if I didn’t devote some time to praise the work done by Robert Davi, Joe Pantoliano, and Anne Ramsey as the antagonistical Fratelli family. Indeed not only do all 3 of these wonderful actors play terrific foils to our titular group of treasure-hunting youngsters, but they also all manage to succeed at switching back and forth between being both goofy and genuinely menacing in equal measure. Suffice it to say that when you also factor in wonderful efforts from such performers as Kerri Green, Martha Plimpton, John Matuszak, Keith Walker, Mary Ellen Trainor, and Michael Paul Chan among others it’s clear that this film might not be a flawless outing by any means, but thankfully the work done by this undeniably skilled group definitely is able to keep this cinematic treasure hunt one that is consistently worth embarking upon.

All in all and at the end of the day is The Goonies a perfect and flawless cinematic adventure by any means of the imagination? Sadly, and as much as my younger self is begging and pleading with me to tell you otherwise, I am afraid that is not the case. With that being said however, is this either the worst slice of cinema on any of the creative talents involved in the making of it’s individual resumes or a film that is by no means good enough? Oh heck no! Not even close! Not just because there are some other movies that could easily claim that distinct title (1999’s The Mod Squad for Brolin, 2014’s Cabin Fever: Patient Zero for Astin, and whatever in the world has been going on with Corey Feldman for at least the past 2-3 decades) to say nothing of the fact that (according to Cyndi Lauper) what’s good enough for you is good enough for me, but because (and all jokes to say nothing of pop culture references aside) I really do love the heck out of this movie dear reader. To be sure there are a few hiccups here and there to say nothing of the fact that there are times where it might look like the narrative is being stretched perhaps a bit too thin. With that in mind though, there is also no denying that the work at the helm is top-tier, the score is phenomenal, the cinematography magnificent, the story well-written, and the performances across the board by the undeniably gifted cast are all fantastic no matter how much or little each individual gets in the way of screentime. Suffice it to say then dear reader that The Goonies “85” is more than just one of the most iconic slices of cinema to ever come out of that noteworthy decade known as the Go-Go 80s. Rather, it is also an engaging and enjoyable film that you and any aspiring treasure seekers (or just people who love a genuinely good movie) in your own life are sure to enjoy taking the oath and watching time and time again. Now if you’ll excuse me: my cousin’s kids just found a treasure map belonging to the famous Three-Eyed Billy who hid away a stash of amazingly delicious buttered popcorn Jelly Belly jelly beans and I have to go try and persuade them to go on this very real and very amazing adventure even though I just totally drew up the map in question for them this morning. Make of that what thou will and no matter what always remember dear reader: Goonies never say die! On a scale of 1-5 I give The Goonies “85” a solid 4 out of 5.