The official student newspaper of University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire since 1923.

The Spectator

The official student newspaper of University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire since 1923.

The Spectator

The official student newspaper of University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire since 1923.

The Spectator

In review: The Goonies

When I try to think about a good theme party to host I always end up with a long list of ideas, but tend to fall back on a classic theme that everyone ends up loving: the ’80s.

Madonna, Cyndi Lauper and Michael Jackson blew up the radio, bad hair and acid-wash jeans were all the rage and classic movies that are still loved today filled the theaters.

Alongside famous ’80s films like “Sixteen Candles,” “The Breakfast Club” and “Dirty Dancing” came a film that fueled my inner-adventurous side and made me wish that I was a part of the now famous group of misfits: “The Goonies.”

I am a huge fan of all the adventure films that came out of the ’80s like “Back to the Future” and “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” but “The Goonies” has always stuck with me as one of the best adventure films from the decade.

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The film was released in 1985 and stars Sean Astin, Cory Feldman and Josh Brolin, among other big names at the time.  The film involves a group of kids who live in a neighborhood that is in jeopardy of being bulldozed to make way for a new, fancy golf course.

Their adventure begins after finding a treasure map in the attic, which leads them on a wild goose chase for riches to help save them from having to move away from their homes and, more importantly, their friends.

Every time I watch the film, I want to be a part of their goofy group, escaping tricky booby traps and running from the Fratellis, a group of Italian mobster thieves.  It seems to follow every kids dream: fight bad guys, find hidden treasure and maybe getting an accidental smooch in a dark cavern from your brother’s girlfriend.

My mom seemed to have a problem with the film because they talked about drugs and the kids were very rambunctious, but my dad was all for it.  It was a sort of crazy adventure film for younger audiences with some more adult humor for the amusement of the parents.  The mix translated well throughout the years and never ceases to entertain me.

The kids in the film work really well together and their personalities cover the entire spectrum, from Andy the head cheerleader, Data the James Bond-esque failed child inventor and — my personal favorite — Chunk, the token chubby-but-hilarious friend that always seems to bring trouble wherever he goes.

The wide range of personalities of the characters comes together to create an eclectic group of friends.  Their crazy times on the treasure hunt bring them closer than they ever expected, which was a nice sentimental undertone surrounded by so much craziness and action.

An overall good balance of feel-good and action-filled scenes help create this classic ’80s film. Although it’s filled with bad film sets and special effects, “The Goonies” will leave you feeling like an adventurous kid again.  The plot is fairly predictable, but it kept my attention the entire time and left me with warm feelings, which seems like a hard thing to do for a teen action-fantasy about pirates and ancient treasure.

The film takes me back to my younger years, free of worries and responsibility.  So, if you are looking for a break from studying for finals, this is definitely the film for you.

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In review: The Goonies