Classics: A Review of The Goonies By Lauren Ennis

When a small town comes under fire its up to a ragtag group of middle and high school misfits to save the day. With the help of a strange new friend can the kids come to the rescue and make it home before the streetlights come on? This is the strangely familiar summary of the cult classic adventure The Goonies. Before a certain Netflix phenomenon came on the scene this 1986 film defined adolescent adventure and taught us all to never say 'die'. For a guaranteed fix for your nostalgia craving pop in your VHS and hang out with The Goonies.

The film follows a group of friends living in the 'goon docks' neighborhood of Astoria, Oregon as they attempt to save their homes from foreclosure. The film begins with 'goonies' leader Mikey (Sean Astin) inviting his friends over to bid farewell to their beloved neighborhood. The story takes a turn for the adventurous, however, when he stumbles upon a treasure map belonging to seventeenth century pirate 'One-Eyed Willie'. The kids then take it upon themselves to follow the map in search of the lost treasure in hopes that it will provide them with the funds needed to stop the foreclosure. Meanwhile, local crime family the Fratellis set of in search of the treasure themselves setting the stage for one of cinema's most awesomely '80's adventures.

Combining adolescent drama with a classic sense of adventure The Goonies remains engaging entertainment for kids and parents alike thirty-three years after its release. With its swashbuckling action and menacing villains the film captures the thrills of a Saturday serial, while adding a decidedly modern sensibility. While these elements alone would ensure that the film provided solid entertainment to its target audience, its script also incorporates such real life threats as bullies, drifting friendships, and financial troubles. The inclusion of these everyday obstacles lends the proceedings a sense of grounding that ensures that the characters don't become lost in the midst of all of the booby traps and chase scenes. As a result, viewers become just as invested in the emotional journeys of each character as in their overarching treasure hunt. It is this surprising emotional weight that has allowed the film to endure as an ode to all things adolescence long after other family fare of its era has faded into obscurity. The multi-faceted script combined with the earnest performances of its cast weaves a spell of adventure that will have even the most cynical of young viewers ready to believe, while its '80's flair guarantees that it will appeal to nostalgic parents. For a guaranteed good time be sure to call The Goonies.

That truffle shuffle...

The story comes to thrilling life thanks to the work of its cast of unlikely heroes and memorable villains. Sean Astin conveys an infectious earnestness and sense of wonder as group leader Mikey. Josh Brolin infuses Mikey's older brother Brand with just the right mix of  adolescent angst and swagger. Corey Feldman captures both Mouth's knowing cynicism and insecurity. Jeff Cohen is uproarious in his comic turn as underestimated Chunk. Jonathan Ke Quan is endearing in his performance as the group's underappreciated inventor Data. Kerri Green and Martha Plimpton make the most of their limited roles as preppy cheerleader turned honorary goonie Andy and her smart-mouthed best friend, Stef. Robert Davi and Joe Pantoliano are strike an ideal balance between menacing and bumbling as Jake and Francis Fratelli while John Matuszak makes for a surprisingly sympathetic soul as ostracized third Fratelli brother Sloth. Anne Ramsey plays the formidable Ma Fratelli with a charisma and verve that make her one of the 80's most memorable villains.

The Goonies personifies friendship at its finest, adventure at its most thrilling, and cinema at its most enduring. Through its multi-faceted script and engaging performances the film remains a crowd pleaser guaranteed to satisfied the kids' thrill cravings and parents' need for nostalgia. Thirty-three years after its release The Goonies is still good enough for legions of fans and is more than good enough for this reviewer.