The sequence with the pipes and the characters appearing could have easily been blandly shot, but it is surprisingly varied and impressive. There is a great mix of compositions and perspectives that keep the look of the film feeling fresh. Nevertheless, it is strange and worth mentioning, despite being a minor critique. Admittedly, the sequence is ambiguous and does tie into the mom being preoccupied and not paying close attention to the kids. It is also a bit odd that Mikey and Brand’s mom does not learn that the boys had run from the house. Regardless of the intention, it should have been fixed either while shooting or in post-production. Perhaps it corresponds to the characters being kids and not knowing they should be quite during such times. In some instances, it did not fit the scenes, particularly when the adversaries are near and the characters are frequently yelling. One key criticism is that there are some scenes in the film where the characters are simply way too loud. The fact that they are not benign criminals heightens the stakes for Mikey, Brand, and their friends. The fugitives are good antagonists and it is nice to see that they pose a serious threat to the Goonies. John Matuszak, Robert Davi, Joe Pantoliano, and Anne Ramsey also provide strong performances for their respective characters as the Fratelli criminals. Though The Goonies takes these elements to the extreme with the dearth of parental supervision and presence, the core concepts are reminiscent of elementary and middle school friends and group dynamics. From the kids’ ganging up on Mikey to them going into the attic when they are told they should not to other members in the group vying for leadership positions and seeing who can be the most domineering are all examples taken from real life. The interactions, both positive and negative, amongst the characters is very realistic. Luckily, this significantly helps propel the pace and deploy the hooks of the narrative’s mystery and adventure. When Mikey becomes intrigued by a treasure map, the captivation and push he has for pursuing the potential treasure is relatable, as is his strong-willed personality and desire to get to learn more about the pirate legend. Additionally, Chunk and Mouth become more likable as the film progresses. I do encourage you to watch the film in its entirety as the second and third acts greatly improve upon the first. During this portion, viewers, like myself, may think that the film is puerile and intended solely for younger audiences. Some characters, namely Mouth and Chunk, are very insufferable. The pacing in the first act is pretty rough.
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