That wise, adorable alien from Steven Spielberg's E.T. -The Extra-Terrestrial was true to his word.

At the end of the movie, E.T.'s human buddy Elliott (Henry Thomas) begs the galactic visitor not to leave. E.T. tells Elliott that he will remain forever in the boy's heart and memory.

Through video, E.T. has resided there for millions of his fans around the world for two decades.

Now E.T., Elliott and all their friends are back where they belong, on the big screen. Much has been made of the technical tweaking Spielberg did for this 20th-anniversary release, opening in local theatres today.

More mist, clearer images, digitally enhanced sound, a rainbow and the substitution of walkie-talkies for guns are simply cosmetic enhancements.

Yes, E.T.-The Extra-Terrestrial had a bit of a facelift.

But what's vital is that there has been no tampering with his glowing heart or the heart of his film. E.T.-The Extra-Terrestrial is just as enduring and endearing as it ever was.

Like Old Yeller, The Black Stallion or The Yearling, E.T.-The Extra-Terrestrial is the story of a lonely boy and the bond he develops with the extraordinary creature he adopts.

In Elliott's case, it's not a dog, a horse or a fawn but an alien research scientist who is left behind during an expedition to gather plant life from Earth.

E.T.'s mothership is spotted by human scientists when E.T. is too far away to make it back for the departure.

He knows earthlings are tracking him. He's afraid until he meets Elliott, who hides him in his bedroom.

The danger is still present, but at least E.T. has a friend.

When Elliott introduces him to his older brother Michael (Robert McNaughton) and younger sister Gertie (Drew Barrymore), the circle of friendship widens.

E.T. is filled with heart-tugging humour, as when, with the help of Sesame Street, little Gertie teaches E.T. to speak, or when he gets drunk on beer or dresses up as a ghost for Halloween.

In her screenplay, Melissa Mathison makes it clear that Elliott is feeling as alien as E.T., and that is another reason they bond so completely that their emotions, thoughts and bodies almost become one.

Elliott's parents have just divorced. He and his siblings are living with their mother while his father is romancing a new woman. One of the most poignant and understated moments in the film sees Elliott and Michael discover one of their father's old sweaters in the garage.

They handle it ever so lovingly, inhaling the lingering scent of his aftershave.

Time has done little to diminish the power of E.T.'s signature moments - Elliott and E.T. soaring across the sky on a bicycle, E.T. slipping into a coma in the impromptu lab, flowers blooming or withering to indicate the state of E.T.'s health are just as exhilarating as they were the first time we saw them.

This is not a movie about evil scientists or nasty alien invaders. The scientists want to save E.T. and the aliens really do come in peace.

The image of E.T. reaching out his spindly finger to touch, explore or heal is a metaphor for the film itself.

E.T. continues to touch, warm, enlighten and invigorate those with the child-like heart and mind to take him in. (More on: E.T.).

(This film is rated PG)

More Movie Reviews