The Goonies 4K Ultra HD Review

THE MOVIE — 3½/5

Plot Synopsis: 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 doublooms, 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.

Quick Hit Review: Amazingly, despite the fact the movie was filmed in my home state of Oregon and is the best known of any Hollywood production in the state, I had failed to see The Goonies after all these years. I was only 4 when it came out in 1985 so seeing it theatrically was out and it just wasn’t something I had much interest in seeing over the years… until now.

My initial impressions of The Goonies is it’s an all around fun adventure that doesn’t ask anything of its viewers but to follow several young characters winding through passageways with three dimwitted crooks in hot pursuit. Of course, I would be lying if I didn’t say the movie was slightly disappointing (I know much of the love is due to nostalgia) but over the 110-minute running time, I still had a fun time.

I think there are a couple reasons that the movie has stood the test of time. One, as I already mentioned, is childhood nostalgia (it’s why Indiana Jones and Kingdom of the Crystal Skull did as well as it did) another is the people involved both behind and in front of the camera. You have Richard Donner (Superman) directing, Steven Spielberg (Jaws, Indiana Jones) involving as a producer and story writer, Chris Columbus (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone) writing the screenplay and a well rounded cast that includes Sean Astin (Lord of the Rings), Josh Brolin (Avengers: Infinity War/Endgame) and Corey Feldman (it wouldn’t be an 80s flick without him).

Overall, while I was slightly disappointed with The Goonies given all I have heard about the film over the years, it still holds up very well after all these years and is an all-around fun adventure, something I would expect nothing less from Spielberg and company.

SPECIAL FEATURES – 3½/5

This release comes with a matted and embossed slip cover. Inside are the original Blu-ray disc and a redemption code for the Digital HD copy.

Video Commentary – This “Hidden Treasure” (I guess was an Easter Egg on the DVD version?) is a video commentary track with the cast and crew that randomly pops up throughout the film (though it is truly random). The cast includes Sean Astin (Mikey), Josh Brolin (Brand), Jeff Cohen (Chunk), Corey Feldman (Mouth), Kerri Green (Andy), Martha Plimpton (Stef), Jonathan Ke Quan (Data) and Producer/Director Richard Donner. Yes, it’s a packed house and sometimes more than one conversation would be going on, but overall this is one of the best tracks I’ve listened to in a long time.

Audio Commentary – This is the same track as the video commentary, just no, well, video with it.

The Making of The Goonies (6:49) featurette was filmed on-location in 1985 and features some comments from the cast and crew. Although I normally don’t find a whole lot of value in older featurettes like these, it’s actually somewhat interesting.

Deleted Scenes (6:53) – Here we get a minor collection of scenes – including the octopus one – excised most likely for pacing purposes.

Last up is the Music Video (2:04) for Cyndi Lauper’s “The Goonies ‘R’ Good Enough” and the Theatrical Trailer (2:41).

VIDEO – 4½/5

AUDIO – 3¾/5

OVERALL – 3¾/5

Although I have not fully grasped the cultural influence The Goonies has had over the past 35 years, I still found the movie to be a fun, adventurous romp with one of the better ensemble gathered who had such great chemistry with one another.