DVD Reviews

The Goonies (25th Anniversary Edition) – Blu-ray Review

By Patrick Luce Dec 10, 2010, 14:03 GMT

From the imagination of Steven Spielberg, The Goonies plunges a band of small heroes into a swashbuckling surprise-around-every corner quest beyond their wildest dreams! Following a mysterious treasure map into a spectacular underground realm of twisting passages, outrageous booby-traps and a long-lost pirate ship full of golden doubloons, the kids race to stay one step ahead of a family of bumbling bad guys…and a mild mannered monster with a face ...more

The Goonies hits Blu-ray in a 25th Anniversary Edition that would be right at home as part of One-Eyed Willie’s treasure. The movie is still great entertainment loaded with the perfect mix of adventure, comedy and action.

Released in 1985, The Goonies was directed by Richard Donner with a story from Steven Spielberg (who also served as executive producer with Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall) and a screenplay from Chris Columbus (Gremlins and Young Sherlock Holmes).

The film featured several fresh-faced actors including Sean Astin (way before he went traveling to Mount Doom with Frodo), Josh Brolin, Jeff Cohen, Corey Feldman, Kerri Green, Martha Plimpton, and Jonathan Ke Quan.

It also benefited from the comedic talents of its bad guys played by Robert Davi, Joe Pantoliano, and the great Anne Ramsey as Mama Fratelli. The Fratelli gang also had another brother 'Sloth' Fratelli (John Matuszak), but he is more Goonie than a bad guy.

The film’s plot opens with a quick introduction of The Goonies (what a group of friends call themselves) as the Fratelli gang make an escape from the cops.

It then quickly moves into the main plot – the Goonies are going to have to move away from each other because their homes are going to be mowed over to make a new golf course and country club for the richer people in town. The only way to stop it is to come up with a lot of money, but there is zero chance of that happening.

Things start to look up when the pirate One-Eyed Willie’s treasure map is discovered in the attic of Mikey (Astin) and Brand (Brolin). Their dad is the local historian and keeps his artifacts up there in storage – which includes several artifacts about the town’s local legend about the pirate captain One-Eyed Willie.

According to the legend, Willie was involved in a massive battle and was forced to hide his ship in a large cave. The navy caused a cave-in which trapped Willie, his ship (loaded with treasure) and his crew underground. The gang also learns a local treasure hunter went looking for the ship and was never heard from again.

It doesn’t take long for Mickey to convince Chunk (Cohen), Mouth (Feldman), and Data (Ke Quan) to go on an adventure to find the hidden treasure and save their homes. After the kids tie up older brother Brand (who is supposed to be keeping Mickey from getting out in the weather), the Goonies hit the road for adventure.

Brand, his wannabe girlfriend Andy (Green), and her friend Stef (Plimpton) catch up with the Goonies as they are exploring an abandoned restaurant which Mickey believes is the entrance to the tunnel that will lead to Willie’s ship.

Unfortunately, it is also the hideout for the Fratelli gang. Mama uses her charms to send the boys running, but they quickly come back. Chunk gets separated from the group and is introduced to the third Fratelli brother Sloth. He is also questioned by Mama in what is probably one of the funniest scenes in the movie.

The Fratellis discover the Goonies have headed underground for the treasure and set off after them, but they aren’t prepared for Data’s booby traps. The adventure leads to a final showdown between the Fratellis and the Goonies with Sloth and Chunk arriving in grand style.

Without a doubt, The Goonies is a classic and one of the best films to come out of the 80s. This is a film that has been screaming for a sequel for years now, but it has never happened. Regardless, Warner Bros. is showing the film and its fans lots of love with this incredible Blu-ray set.

Housed in a nice box (which features treasure map art), the set comes with an exclusive board game where you have to escape from One-Eyed Willie’s cave, a reproduction of the 1985 Goonies Magazine, a reprint of the “Where Are They Now?” Empire Magazine, and storyboard cards from the film.

The Blu-ray itself looks great and comes with several special features – such as music videos, commentary, outtakes, theatrical trailer, and a making of featurette.

25 years later, The Goonies is still a great film and delivers just as much entertainment as it did in 1985. This Blu-ray release celebrates the film, and gives its fans some nice treats to go along with a great Blu-ray presentation. It is easily worth the upgrade from DVD and is highly recommended.