I saw E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial in theaters back in the day, and many times afterward, but it’s been years since I sat down and watched it from start to finish. Suffice to say, the good memories I had were revived, as the 1982 Steven Spielberg classic remains the fantastic movie-going experience I remembered. Watching it with a live orchestra made the evening even better.
Call it an early Christmas gift: E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial played at Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto for two shows, on November 7th and 8th, accompanied by the incredible Toronto Symphony Orchestra and conducted by Evan Mitchell, who is no stranger to this orchestra or the city. Like many of these live events I’ve seen over the years, it’s fascinating to watch and listen to the orchestra. Sometimes you take them for granted and forget they are there, while other times the booming brass section or the beautiful blend of the strings jolts the audience to life, reminding us that yes, this orchestra is here too.
The music, another John Williams masterpiece, smoothly weaves in and out of the story and takes over when needed. Iconic moments like the bikes flying through the air (thanks, E.T.) had the orchestra thunderously playing the familiar theme as the crowd clapped and cheered loudly.
RELATED: ‘John Candy: I Like Me’ TIFF Review: A Moving Tribute to a Comedy Legend Gone Too Soon
One of the many fun parts of these movie concert events is how the conductors encourage the audience to clap, cheer, and laugh out loud during the performance. Instead of a serious, formal evening, the doors have been opened wide, allowing a new audience to enjoy the experience.
Conductor Evan Mitchell, who made his debut with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra in 2012, was enjoying the evening just as much as the rest of us. He gave a lively introduction and conducted with energy and joy, often wearing a smile throughout the evening. The orchestra members, experienced professionals, are now used to these events and have embraced them, appearing energized and engaged as they performed the score by the brilliant John Williams. Williams, who has scored many iconic films with his skilled work, is just one of the many reasons why this film resonates so well.
It’s hard to believe that this film was first released in 1982, but here we are, 43 years later, and it still resonates for many reasons. Steven Spielberg’s direction, music by John Williams, and E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial represent the kind of feel-good experience we don’t see often anymore. Letting a live orchestra perform the score was an excellent choice, and the audience couldn’t have agreed more, creating an evening where everything felt just right. All that was left was to sit back, laugh, clap, and have fun—whether it was your first time seeing the film or, like me, you enjoyed it after multiple viewings.
RELATED: ‘Frankenstein’ TIFF Review: Guillermo del Toro Successfully Helms a Dream Project
The film itself seems like a perfect choice for this event, as it’s full of emotion and portrays big moments through the eyes of children, who often see things more clearly than adults. This storyline is done to perfection and gives the film heart and soul that have truly stood the test of time. It captures an innocence that, as adults, we lose and sometimes look back on with remorse, remembering simpler times when things weren’t so complicated. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial has stood the test of time and remains a film to be embraced today. With the help of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, it truly made for an evening that won’t soon be forgotten.
