Steven Spielberg is often accused of infantilising Hollywood in 1980s. In that decade concept of blockbuster was perfected in a way that steered big budgets and creative energies of mainstream studios almost exclusively towards younger – teen or pre-teen – audiences, which had devastating consequences on the content of the films. Spielberg played important part in that process, but, regardless of what you may think about new Hollywood paradigm, he couldn’t have done it without showing great talent in his work. That included both films he directed and those who merely produced. Among the latter one of the most successful was The Goonies, 1985 action adventure directed by Richard Donner.
The basic outline of the story for the film was created by Spielberg, but the script was written by Chris Columbus, film maker who would later establish himself as immensely successful author of teen and child-oriented films. Plot is set in Goon Docks, neighbourhood in the city of Astoria, Oregon where Michael “Mikey” Walsh (played by Sean Astin) lives with his older teen brother Brandon “Brand” (played by Josh Brolin). Walshes have fallen on hard times and are about to sell their home to group of property developers who want to build golf course. Mikey is sad because that means that he would part ways with friends from the neighbourhood with whom he makes a group called “Goonies” – wisecracking Mouth (played by Corey Feldman), gadget enthusiast Data (played by Jonathan Ke Huy Quan) and gluttonous and overly imaginative Chunk (played by Joseph Cohen). While rummaging through attic, Mikey finds a map purported to show location of treasure buried by semi-legendary pirate One Eye Willie. Mikey decides to bring his friends to one last adventure during which they would try to find a treasure. They agree and joined by Brand, as well as two teen girls – Andy (played by Kerri Green) and Stef (played by Martha Plimpton). Map location is revealed to be abandoned restaurant which also happens to be hiding place of Fratelli, gang of dangerous criminals comprised of Mama Fratelli (played by Anne Ramsay) and her two sons – Jake (played by Robert Davi) and Francis (played by Joe Pantoliano). Goonies, in an attempt to escape, find underground passage that lead to large caverns and many booby traps left by One Eyed Willie. Chunk is captured by Fratellis, but manages to escape with the help of Sloth (played by John Matuszak), Fratelli’s grotesquely deformed brother he has befriended during captivity.
The Goonies was not only one of the most popular films of its time, but it actually retained much of its popularity to this day, especially among the audience that shared the age of its protagonists. Its status today can’t be explained by mere nostalgia. It is a very good film, and much of it is due to a script which seemed tailor-made for pre-teen viewers and features near perfect combination of action and humour, with some sentimentality and even little romance thrown for good measure. Columbus’ script very cleverly builds on Spielberg’s earlier triumphs, most notably Indiana Jones films and Goonies as a collective in many ways represent youthful equivalent of its protagonist. Richard Donner, one of the most successful directors in Hollywood, does a very good job and works very well with young members of the cast, usually with little direction and allowing them to do their own thing. This, in many instances, allows characters’ reactions to be authentic, although at times young protagonists tend to talk over each other, making their dialogue incomprehensible and even annoying. Pace in the first part of the film is very slow, but this allows characters to be introduced and well-developed, which would serve The Goonies well in the second part, when the pace gets more frenetic.
Like with many Spielberg’s 1980s productions, budget was high, but well-spent. Typical Spielbergian setting of small American town is refreshed by the use of Pacific Northwest locations, while the great effort is made in creating wondrous subterranean world where the protagonists would spend most of their adventure, which culminates with discovery of huge pirate ship. Although some of the special effects look a little bit dated, The Goonies is technically well made film. Young actors are great and, unsurprisingly, many of them would have successful careers as adults, most notably Sean Astin and Corey Feldman. Another major contribution to film success is musical score by Dave Grusin, which at times sounds like it was composed by Jerry Goldsmith, which, in the context of this film, is actually a good thing. On the other hand, title song “Good Enough for Goonies” by Cyndi Lauper, doesn’t sound that well and its use hurts film in the long run, because it anchors its potentially timeless story firmly into the context of 1980s. On the other hand, those nostalgic towards that era would probably like The Goonies and even those that are not will enjoy at least some bits of old Spielbergian magic.
RATING: 7/10 (++)
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