E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial - 40th Anniversary Edition (4K UHD Blu-ray) review

[David Vaughn]

Studio: Universal
Release Date: November 1, 2022
Rating: PG
Film: 5/5
 
Plot
 This timeless story follows the unforgettable journey of a lost alien and the 10-year-old boy he befriends. Join Elliott, Gertie, and Michael as they come together to help E.T. find his way back home.   
  
 My Thoughts
It's hard to believe that it's been 40 years since E.T. was in theaters. I remember seeing this as a 13-year-old boy and it was the first movie that touched me emotionally and made me cry. Seeing E.T. in the ditch with the raccoon looking for its next meal still hits me right in the heart today. Spielberg's masterpiece hasn't aged a bit. This is my third viewing of the film in the past five years—the first was for the 35^th Anniversary 4K release in 2017, then I saw the film a couple of months later at UCLA with a live orchestra—which was amazing—and now for the 40^th Anniversary. After all these years, it still entertains me and awakens my inner child.
 
This is the same 4K release as a few years ago, and it has a very film-like look—as it should—since it was originally shot on 35mm film! The low light scenes show a lot of grain, which is common for the stock used during the time period the film was shot. The transfer was mastered from a 4K DI and it definitely shows. The detail in the movie has never looked this good. Furthermore, the color palette is much bolder compared to the DVD, especially the lush greens in the forest and the red on Elliott’s sweatshirt during the final act.
 
The DTS:X MA track does a great job with the original 2.0 source, although I’m sure the sound designers used the DTS-MA 5.1 track from the 2012 Blu-ray as a starting point. Atmospheric effects are quite pronounced in many scenes and make good use of the entire soundstage.
 
Video 9/10
 
Audio 9/10 (DTS:X)
 
Special Features:

• 40 Years of E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (New)
• Steven Spielberg & E.T.
• The E.T. Journals
• Deleted Scenes
• The Evolution and Creation of E.T.
• The E.T. Reunion
• The Music of E.T. – A discussion with John Williams
• Designs, photographs, and marketing
• Theatrical trailer and TV spot
• D-Box Motion Code enabled
• Pocket BLU, BD-Live and Bonus DVD
• Movies Anywhere Digital Copy

 

 
Conclusion
I don’t like the changes that Spielberg made to the film taking the guns out of the government agents hands and putting in walkie talkies, but I can overlook his revisionist history and still enjoy the film for what it is—a classic from my childhood. It’s hard to believe it’s been 40 years since it hit theaters and I believe I’ve reviewed it at least 4 times on home video over the years, but it still holds up to this day. If you don’t own it in 4K, now’s your chance. If you own the edition from five years ago, the only change is a new bonus feature, which probably isn’t worth the double-dip. Regardless, this one is highly recommended.  
 
Reference Review System:
JVC DLA-RS2000 4K Ultra High-Definition Front Projector
(Calibrated with Portrait Displays CalMAN color calibration software & C6-HDR Meter from Portrait Displays)
Stewart Filmscreen - Firehawk 88” 16x9 Fixed Screen
Trinnov Altitude 16 Audio/Video Processor
ATI AT527NC Powering Bed Channels
ATI AT524NC Powering Atmos Speakers
Panasonic DP-UB820 Ultra HD Blu-ray Player
System Controller: URC MX-990
M&K S-150 THX Ultra (R-C-L Speakers)
M&K SS-150 x4 (Surround Speakers)
Atlantic Technology IC6-OBA x 4 Overhead Speakers
SVS PC-Ultra Cylinder Subwoofer
HSU VTF-15H MK2 Subwoofer
M&K Sound X15+ Subwoofer
Dual JL Audio F-110 (stacked and treated as one sub)
Mini DSP HD controlling all subwoofers
Audioquest and Monoprice - Audio/Video/Speaker Cabling
PureAV PF60 Power Conditioner

[bmoney]

I remember getting a sneak preview of this at the local cinema. Man that was 40 years ago. Wooah

[David Vaughn]

I remember getting a sneak preview of this at the local cinema. Man that was 40 years ago. Wooah

What's weird to me is essentially this film is as old as Casablanca was at the time we watched this in the theater. Now if that doesn't make you feel old, nothing will!

[SRW1000]

Good to hear that the only difference is a bonus feature.  

The older version is just $10 at Amazon right now:  AmazonSmile: E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial [Blu-ray] : Henry Thomas, Drew Barrymore, Dee Wallace, Robert MacNaughton, Peter Coyote, Steven Spielberg, Steven Spielberg, Kathleen Kennedy, Melissa Mathison, Allen Daviau, Carol Littleton, Charles L. Campbell, Ben Burtt, Robert Knudsen, Robert Glass, Don Digirolamo, Gene Cantamessa: Movies & TV

[David Vaughn]

Good to hear that the only difference is a bonus feature. 

The older version is just $10 at Amazon right now:  AmazonSmile: E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial [Blu-ray] : Henry Thomas, Drew Barrymore, Dee Wallace, Robert MacNaughton, Peter Coyote, Steven Spielberg, Steven Spielberg, Kathleen Kennedy, Melissa Mathison, Allen Daviau, Carol Littleton, Charles L. Campbell, Ben Burtt, Robert Knudsen, Robert Glass, Don Digirolamo, Gene Cantamessa: Movies & TV

Definitely worth $10 if you don't have it in your collection!

[bmoney]

What's weird to me is essentially this film is as old as Casablanca was at the time we watched this in the theater. Now if that doesn't make you feel old, nothing will!

Yeah when you look at things like that it’s insane. 
for example Beatles songs from when they came out to now is the equivalent of turn of the century music for that time. Woah

[Paul Heroy]

After all these years, it still entertains me and awakens my inner child.

One of my favorite commenters on YouTube is Rick Beato, a musician and producer who's worked with some big acts. One of the things I love about him is that he has "big ears" like me - likes a broad range of music. A few months ago he did a segment about the most perfect musical moment for him - and it's the ending ship departure scene from ET with John Williams score soaring with the on screen image. It's truly joyous and I love seeing Rick show that inner child too.

[AVSCraig]

Good to hear that the only difference is a bonus feature. 

The older version is just $10 at Amazon right now:  AmazonSmile: E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial [Blu-ray] : Henry Thomas, Drew Barrymore, Dee Wallace, Robert MacNaughton, Peter Coyote, Steven Spielberg, Steven Spielberg, Kathleen Kennedy, Melissa Mathison, Allen Daviau, Carol Littleton, Charles L. Campbell, Ben Burtt, Robert Knudsen, Robert Glass, Don Digirolamo, Gene Cantamessa: Movies & TV

That is a great deal. I couldn't pass this up for $10.00 considering I don't have it in my collection, and, I've actually never seen this movie. When it came out in 1982 I was busy climbing big walls and things like El Capitan in Yosemite. I climbed about 180 days a year ( if not more ) around that time, and had zero time or interest for movies or anything else not related to climbing. But, never too late to add a classic to the collection. I'll have to spin up Close Encounters of the Third Kind again after watching this. My wife is shocked I've never seen it! 

[David Vaughn]

That is a great deal. I couldn't pass this up for $10.00 considering I don't have it in my collection, and, I've actually never seen this movie. When it came out in 1982 I was busy climbing big walls and things like El Capitan in Yosemite. I climbed about 180 days a year ( if not more ) around that time, and had zero time or interest for movies or anything else not related to climbing. But, never too late to add a classic to the collection. I'll have to spin up Close Encounters of the Third Kind again after watching this. My wife is shocked I've never seen it!

Let me know what you think Craig. Hard to believe you have not seen this within the last 40 years!

[AVSCraig]

Let me know what you think Craig. Hard to believe you have not seen this within the last 40 years!

I may have seen bits and pieces but never beginning to end. Just seeing some of the actors like Drew so young can be a hoot going back to older films. Like I said, probably watch Close Encounters the same week, and I did recently get the first Indiana Jones film on 4K ( been forever since I watched that ), so I see a classic Spielberg movie week coming after the Halloween films are done and I watch Limey! I'm so behind on movies!