The longer version: I thought it was perhaps a “maturity” issue on my part – you know, how one might not like something when they’re a kid, but then tries experiencing it again as an adult, and really loves it, because they see and appreciate things in it they didn’t, or couldn’t, as a younger person?
But no, that wasn’t it. I’ve seen E.T. several times since its release, given it many fair chances, and it still fails to evoke any positive feelings. The main protagonist looks like something I’d see floating or washing-up on shore in Lake Erie, round-about the time of this film’s release (1982) ironically. I can’t help but believe the aliens on the spaceship were trying to get rid of this little turd, by leaving him here on our primitive dirtball.
Had E.T. been an adorable, magical purple Pone princess – a character who could actually speak English, communicate their thoughts in a logical fashion, etc. – the film would’ve been miles closer to my heart.
TL;DR: Not a bit.
Didn’t like that movie I take it?
Edited