Director: Richard Donner
Writers: Steven Spielberg (story), Chris Columbus (screenplay)
Stars: Sean Astin, Josh Brolin, Jeff Cohen, Corey Feldman, Kerri Green, Martha Plimpton, Jonathan Ke Quan, John Matuszak, Robert Davi, Joe Pantoliano, Anne Ramsey

“The Goonies, oh, it’s a time capsule of the ’80s, and it firmly sits in my personal Top 5 for that glorious decade. I’m convinced I could rattle off most of the dialogues from memory, in the right sequence, so profound was my obsession with it at the tender age of 9. Although, come to think of it, I’m not even sure I was allowed to watch this at that age. The Goonies is an adventure of a ragtag group of kids, the eponymous Goonies, who embark on one last thrilling quest to save their homes from foreclosure, paving the way for a golf resort. Their mission: to unearth a pirate’s ancient and invaluable treasure.

Now, let me tell you, we must have been a much sturdier breed back in my day, because some of the content in this film would likely raise eyebrows today for being either too scary or tinged with adult themes. But let’s not turn into Mama Fratelli here; instead, let’s dive into my review.

I believe this was the first time I laid eyes on Josh Brolin, who would later go on to become the indomitable Thanos. In The Goonies, he portrays the elder brother, Brandon Walsh, who’s grappling with the monumental failure of his driving test – a colossal event in the materialistic ’80s. Brolin’s performance is precisely what you’d expect, capturing the essence of the big brother. And he shares the screen with another actor who would achieve grandeur in Middle Earth nearly 30 years later – Sean Astin, who plays the asthmatic and charismatic Mikey Walsh, effectively the Goonies’ leader.

Rounding out the ensemble are Jeff Cohen as the hilariously endearing Chunk, Corey Feldman as the quick-witted Mouth, Kerri Green as Andy, Martha Plimpton as Stef, Jonathan Ke Quan as Data, John Matuszak as the lovable Sloth, and Robert Davi and Joe Pantoliano as the menacing Fratelli Brothers Jake and Francis, along with their formidable mother Mama, played by Anne Ramsey. This was perhaps one of the most brilliantly cast lineups at the time, as most of the cast members were relatively unknown, yet the chemistry was electric. Cohen’s Chunk, in particular, deserved his own standalone film, with his natural comedic timing and brilliant delivery. Corey Feldman shines as the wise-talking Mouth, who always has the last word. Jonathan Ke Quan, as Data, adds a dash of slapstick to the group dynamic, although some of it works better than other bits. Nonetheless, his role is pivotal, perhaps helping him shed the ‘Short Round’ label from “Temple of Doom.”

This remarkable cast, along with Green, Plimpton, and Brolin as the older kids, venture into an adventure against the nefarious Fratellis, a ruthless family on the run, taking refuge in an abandoned restaurant along the coast that just so happens to mark the beginning of the pirate’s treasure trail. Once the villains catch wind of the hidden prize, the pursuit is relentless, taking the film from a somewhat slower, more comedic start into a darker territory, complete with murder, deadly booby traps, and skeletons.

Richard Donner, one of my all-time favorite directors, adeptly navigates the film’s tonal shift. It never feels like a different movie after the initial 20 minutes. The humor remains intact, but the stakes are raised, and the pacing becomes more frantic. You can distinctly recognize the touches of Steven Spielberg and Chris Columbus in the script. The Goonies feels like a more child-friendly version of an Indiana Jones adventure, with Spielberg fresh off the success of two Indy films and Columbus crafting a screenplay that matches Spielberg’s storytelling style.

In summary, The Goonies has endured the test of time due to its writing and how the screenplay translates into a visually engaging film. The deep understanding of the characters and their relationships is a key factor in its lasting success, particularly the heartwarming Chunk-Sloth connection that elicits laughter one moment and tugs at your heartstrings the next. The film is a rollercoaster of action and adventure, interspersed with humor and a dash of darkness for good measure.

IMDb’s clinging to the idea of a Goonies 2, and truthfully, I’m torn about whether I’d welcome that or not. Some things are best left untouched, just as they are. If you’ve somehow missed experiencing The Goonies, you’re in for a treat. I can’t recommend this film enough – it’s an absolute must-see.”

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