Joshua Hinrichs

Man, Spielberg must think explosions and things breaking are REALLY funny. Some good sequences here like the dance that leads to an all-out brawl and the plane fight in the streets on a pure craft level, but the majority of this is just unfunny and repetitive. Clearly made by someone who flew too close to Sun, and I’m glad in hindsight that this film’s reception humbled Spielberg a bit.

This is one of my dad’s favourite movies, but he’s always told me he cannot watch it again.  Perfectly understandable. I’ve seen this before obviously, but man does this hit you like a truck at the end. All the wonder and love are here like you expect, with the best child performances of all time. No other film can make you as enthralled by some kids and their space dog like Spielberg did here.

This is THE Spielberg movie. When people talk about his blockbuster tendencies, his schmaltz, his over-sentimentality, it's this film. And it's arguably the perfect one. Arguable because Spielberg has made like 10 perfect ones.

Everyone talks about the suspense, the music, the mastery of the unseen, blah, blah, blah. Can we talk about how satisfying Brody’s arc is?  Goes from a sheepish guy who wants to do the right thing but doesn’t have courage to disobey authority to a man who takes action into his own hands and kicks ass. Hell yeah Chief, you learn to tie those knots! BLOW THAT SHARK TO KINGDOM COME! LET’S GO BIG DAWG!!!! HOOOOO RAHHHH!