For me, there's a special class of movies. They're not just the movies I loved when I was young- they're the more the movies that my older sisters loved. The movies that I wasn't quite allowed to see yet, but snuck downstairs to watch with the "big kids". These movies always have an extra cool factor, a special place in my heart. And to be completely honest, The Goonies is the top of that list!
It's a classic kid story- a scrappy group of unpopular kids teams up to save the day and get the treasure. Except this time it's literally pirate treasure because the 80's were a magical time. Kids adventure movies are important. They're about taking control of your life in a time when kids are caught between wanting to feel like an adult and not having any of the freedom that comes with actual adulthood. They're about finding the people that you're going to head into teenage-dom with.
We got a lot of great things out of The Goonies. Baby Josh Brolin, for one. It's infinitely quoteable, and gave the world the "truffle shuffle" to be enjoyed for ages to come, if the shirts all over Target are any indication. But that's not to say that The Goonies isn't a deeply problematic film. It's not fair to gush over it without being honest about the fact that it's got it's racist, sexist, ableist moments. Looking back, it's very much a product of the 80's and it's hard to look back on it as an adult. But as a kid, there's not much that could compare with the adventure in this movie.
The biggest, best thing we all got out of The Goonies was the adorable, charming wonder that is Sean Astin. I've seen almost everything he's ever done, from Toy Soldiers to The Lord Of The Rings, to Rudy, and I absolutely love him. He's one of those actors where no matter what character he's playing, you just want to meet him. He's a lifetime favorite around these parts.
Happy watching!
CT
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