phr (06/25/82)
On the question of E.T. being revived by freezing, liquid nitrogen, etc: word has it that Walt Disney was frozen in a similar fashion after his death. Can it be that this process also shortened him to Yoda-height, gave him a flat head and green skin, and made his internal organs glow in the dark? So many other parts of the film were inspired by Disney that I wonder if this was a conscious reference. PS. Sorry if someone else has brought up this point. I followed the early and excellent advice about not reading any of the net stuff on E.T. (at least not closely; I noticed the questions about his revival) until I saw the movie (just tonight).
bch (06/28/82)
References: allegra.419 I agree with Dave Yost that the forces central to ET are not technical, but emotional. It is a good and reasonable hypothesis that ET is restored, like Tinkerbell, by Elliot's belief and by love. My own interpretation of ET's "death" and "recovery" were far simpler, however: He needed his full strength to "call home" and simply withdrew, much like a Hindu Yogi. My evidence? ET's first words on recovering are "ET call home!"... explanation enough. I tend also to think that any body chemistry that could survive beer, local vegetation and the ministrations of modern medicine could easily assimilate our planetary bugs. Allegra!phr (whoever that may be) points out the heavy drawing from Walt Disney throughout the film. My first take on the film was that Spielberg set out to make a Disney-type film which included the sense of wonder and genuine affection that the Disney organization has lost in its later years. Truly this film took me back to my childhood, restoring some of what those more cynical than Spielberg have tried to take away. ->Byron Howes