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Goonies, The

EMAILPRINTWarner Bros.

Goonies, The reviews
60
9.3 User Score:

Mixed or average reviews

Based on 11 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 6 votes
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Movie Info

Genre(s): Adventure  |  Comedy  |  Family/Kids

Written by: Steven Spielberg (story)
Chris Columbus

Directed by: Richard Donner

Release Date:
Theatrical: June 7, 1985
DVD: August 21, 2001

Running Time: 114 minutes, Color

Origin: USA

Language(s): English / Spanish / Cantonese / Italian

Summary

RATING: PG for profanit and violence

Starring Sean Astin, Josh Brolin, Jeff Cohen, Corey Feldman, Kerri Green, Martha Plimpton, Jonathan Ke Quan , and Joe Pantoliano, Robert Davi, John Matuszak, Anne Ramsey

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 dubloons, the kids race to stay one step ahead of a family of bumbling bad guys... and a mild-mannered monster with a face only a mother could love. (Warner Bros.)

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

80

Empire Staff (Not Credited)

A rolicking good time is had by all in this adventure that is built on archetypal plot strands that tie together oh so well.

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80

The New York Times Janet Maslin

It has crooks, bats, cobwebs, skeletons, a lovable monster, an underground grotto and a treasure hidden by some of the most considerate, clue-loving pirates who ever lived. Their ghostly ship is the movie's piece de resistance.

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75

Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert

The Goonies, like Gremlins, shows that Spielberg and his directors are absolute masters of how to excite and involve an audience. "E.T." was more like "Close Encounters"; it didn't simply want us to feel, but also to wonder, and to dream.

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75

Boston Globe Jay Carr

But, fittingly, it's the kids who carry this outing. They're led by Sean Astin, who's rightly more of a dreamer than the others. Jeff B. Cohen engagingly handles the most cliched role, the fat kid who keeps stuffing his face. And I couldn't help wondering if Ke Huy Quan, who played Indy's sidekick in the Temple of Doom, knows that not all movies are made in caves. In any case, you can relax. The Goonies is entertaining despite its calculated flavor. [7 Jun 1985, p.61]

75

Chicago Tribune Gene Siskel

As entertaining as The Goonies finally becomes--and its last hour is mostly one pleasure after another--it's a shame that Spielberg, writer Chris Columbus and director Richard Donner felt the need to take the low road in terms of language. [7 Jun 1985, p.A]

75

The Globe and Mail (Toronto) Jay Scott

The movie remains an embodiment of Spielberg's commercially cunning brand of clankingly retro filmmaking, despite the wit and charm brought to their Spiel-speak dialogue by the talented young performers, The Goonies is less a movie than an entertainment machine. [7 Jun 1985, p.E1]

63

TV Guide Staff (Not Credited)

Though obviously aimed at a younger audience, The Goonies is packed with four-letter words. Sure kids speak like that, but writer Chris Columbus and director Richard Donner rely on obscenities as a substitution for clever punch lines, tossing in a few sex jokes and a touch of racist humor as well.

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60

Variety Staff (Not Credited)

Territory is typical small town Steven Spielberg; this time set in a coastal community in Oregon. Story is told from the kids' point-of-view and takes a rather long time to be set in motion.

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50

Wall Street Journal Julie Salamon

Actually, maybe the movie is better than it seems to be -- I just couldn't understand what anyone was saying. The dialogue came across as clear as schoolyard chatter during recess -- and just about as pleasant to listen to. There is a water slide, a pirate ship and an amusing little chubbikins (Jeff Cohen) who squirts Reddi Wip directly into his mouth. [20 Jun 1985, p.1]

38

San Francisco Chronicle Peter Stack

I would not take very young children to see The Goonies - too intense. I would also discourage any adults who are borderline in their liking of children from seeing this film. The Goonies could easily turn a lot of otherwise tolerant grownups against children, and I'm assuming that would be a terrible thing. [7 Jun 1985, p.75]

20

Chicago Reader Dave Kehr

The usual Spielberg rhetoric about the sanctity of childhood and the beauty of dreams seems wholly factitious in this crass context, which even includes a commercial--in the form of a rock video--for the tie-in merchandise.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this movie is 9.3 (out of 10) based on 6 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

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