The Goonies
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- For other uses, see Goonies (disambiguation).
| The Goonies | |
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| Directed by | Richard Donner |
| Produced by | Harvey Bernhard Richard Donner |
| Written by | Steven Spielberg (story) Chris Columbus (screenplay) |
| Starring | Sean Astin Josh Brolin Jeff Cohen Corey Feldman Kerri Green Martha Plimpton Ke Huy Quan |
| Music by | Dave Grusin (orchestration) |
| Distributed by | Warner Bros. |
| Release date(s) | June 7, 1985 |
| Running time | 114 min. |
| Language | English |
| Budget | US$19,000,000 |
| All Movie Guide profile | |
| IMDb profile | |
The Goonies was a hit movie in 1985 directed by Richard Donner, with the screenplay written by Chris Columbus from a story by Steven Spielberg. It is a film about a band of kids from a section of Astoria, Oregon, called the "Goon Docks". The "Goonies", hoping to save the Goon Docks from demolition, go on an adventure to find the buried treasure of a legendary pirate named One-Eyed Willie.
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[edit] Plot summary
Just a day before greedy developers plan to aggressively foreclose on the Goon Docks to demolish it and turn into a golf course, a young teenager named Mikey finds an old treasure map in his father's attic. Hoping to save their homes from demolition, Mikey and his friends Data, Chunk, and Mouth run off on a quest to find the secret stash of a legendary 17th century pirate named "One-Eyed" Willie. The young Goonies find the entrance to a tunnel in a rundown restaurant that is serving as the hideout for a notorious family of criminals named the Fratellis, consisting of the two Fratelli Brothers and their mother. When the Fratellis return, the Goonies--now joined by Mikey's brother Brand and two of his friends, Andy and Stef--are forced to follow the tunnel to escape.
One of the Goonies, Chunk, is captured and interrogated by the Fratellis, revealing the hidden tunnel entrance and the promise of treasure at its end. The Fratellis enter the tunnel, leaving Chunk captive alongside a huge and deformed Fratelli brother named Sloth, who the family keeps chained to the wall. Although Chunk is at first terrified of Sloth, he begins to befriend him as the film progresses. The other Goonies meanwhile proceed through the underground passages, overcoming dangerous booby traps laid by One-Eyed Willie centuries ago, finding the skeleton of 1930s explorer Chester Copperpot, and hoping to survive long enough to reach freedom. Their goal reverts to finding the treasure when they discover the bottom of a wishing well, which they could use to leave the caves. Instead of saving themselves, the Goonies decide to continue the quest for the treasure so that they can save the Goon Docks.
After outrunning the pursuing Fratellis, the Goonies find the treasure, still on-board One-Eyed Willie's ship, which is concealed in a large cave, blocked off from the sea by a collapsed roof. The Fratellis appear just as the Goonies are filling their pockets with loot, and the children are forced to hand over all the treasure. However, the newly-freed Sloth also arrives with Chunk, allowing the Goonies to escape empty-handed. They use some candles they had found in Chester Copperpot's bag, but one is actually a stick of dynamite, which explodes and causes the cave to collapse, forcing everyone to flee for their lives. The Goonies are found on the beach by a search party and eventually reunited with their families. Luckily, Mikey's marble bag held a handful of large precious stones, saving the Goon Docks from its golf-course fate. The police arrest the Fratellis, except for Sloth, whom the Goonies defend; Chunk in turn tells Sloth that he can stay with him and his family. As the Goonies and their parents marvel over the precious gems, One-Eyed Willie's ship suddenly appears, now free from the cavern. As the ship sails away, Mikey and the others bid farewell and thank-you to the legendary pirate.
While sometimes called a fantasy film for its improbable, child's-dream-come-true storyline, The Goonies does not actually use supernatural elements. Its premise is frequently compared to Explorers, a science fiction-adventure film starring teenagers, which Paramount Pictures released one month after The Goonies in 1985.
[edit] Characters and cast
The film featured performances by a number of child actors:
- Sean Astin as Mikey Walsh, the Goonie who leads them to find One-Eyed Willie's treasure. Although Mikey suffers from asthma, he continually acts as the group's neverending supply of enthusiasm and spirit. It is his determination to save the Goon Docks that jumpstarts the film. Astin won a Young Artist Award for this role.
- Corey Feldman as Clark "Mouth" Devereaux, an obnoxious Goonie who tends to be a bit of a trickster. While he is treated as an annoyance often, Mouth is a boy of many talents including being perfectly fluent in Spanish and supposedly other languages.
- Jonathan Ke Quan (credited as Ke Huy Quan) as Richard "Data" Wang, an inventive Goonie who idolizes James Bond. Although many of his gadgets seem gimmicky and useless at first, they end up saving both the lives of the entire group and Data himself various times.
- Jeff Cohen as Lawrence "Chunk" Cohen, a fat Goonie who makes up stories and tries to pass them off as true. He can determine a flavor of ice cream by merely smelling it from a distance. Although he seems to be the group burden, he comes through for everyone in the end by befriending the intimidating but gentle Sloth; the two outsiders save the Goonies in a dire moment. A scene where Mouth denies Chunk entrance to their meeting unless he does the "Truffle Shuffle", namely lifting up his shirt and jiggling the fat on his body is a fan-favorite.
- Josh Brolin as Brand Walsh, Mikey's older brother who recently failed his driver's license test. A very strong young man, although he comes across as a typical overbearing older brother at first glance, he seems to genuinely care for his brother and the Goon Dock's dire situation. Although he himself was once a Goonie, he is initially opposed to the Goonies's quest. He begins to warm up to it as the film progresses however until he too is dead-set on finding the treasure.
- Kerri Green as Andy Carmichael, a cheerleader who is dating Brand. Although jumpy and uncertain of the adventure she is swept up in, she often encourages the group. She saves the Goonies with her limited experience with piano from One-Eyed Willie's most complex trap.
- Martha Plimpton as Stef Steinbrenner, a friend of Andy is a smart-mouthed, skeptical girl. If not for the age difference she could be perfect foil for Mouth as the two butt heads very often. Although just as jumpy as Andy is during their adventure, Stef is often far more organized in thought. Although she comes across as something of a smart-alec, she demonstrates that she can be quite compassionate.
Other actors included:
- Anne Ramsey as Ma Fratelli, the mother of the Fratelli family of criminals. Ramsey won a Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress in a film for this role.
- Joe Pantoliano as Francis Fratelli, a balding Fratelli brother.
- Robert Davi as Jake Fratelli, an opera-singing Fratelli brother.
- John Matuszak as "Sloth", a large and deformed Fratelli brother.
- Mary Ellen Trainor as Irene Walsh, Brand and Mikey's mother who frequently castigates the boys throughout the film.
- Keith Walker as Irving Walsh, a museum curator who inspired his son Mikey with tales about One-Eyed Willie. He keeps a multitude of oddities and ancient relics in the attic of the Walsh residence and seems the most concerned over the Goon Dock's fate.
- Steve Antin as Troy Perkins, a preppy jock teenager whose father plans to buy the Goon Docks, and who wants Andy for himself.
- Lupe Ontiveros as Rosalita, a Hispanic maid hired by Mrs. Walsh to assist in the packing and moving of the family. She doesn't understand a word of English, which prompted Mouth to play a prank on her.
[edit] Production
Principal photography on The Goonies began on October 22, 1984 and lasted five months. There was an additional six weeks of ADR recording. [1] The shooting script was lengthy, over 120 pages, and several sequences were eventually cut from final theatrical version. One of the most noticeable removals was the octopus attack as the Goonies approached One-Eyed Willie's ship. Despite being cut, Data still tells a news reporter at the end of the film about how scary the octopus was. A song that appears in that scene called "Eight Arms to Hold You" was featured on The Goonies: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack. The song also plays, though barely audible, in the scene when Chunk first enters the Walsh residence.
In The Making of the Goonies, director Richard Donner noted the difficulties and pleasures of working with so many child actors. Donner praised them for their energy and excitement, but said that they were a handful when brought together. The documentary frequently shows him coaching the young actors and reveals some of the techniques he used to get realistic performances. One of these tricks involved One-Eyed Willie's ship, which was actually an impressive full-sized pirate ship created under the direction of production designer J. Michael Riva. Donner forbade the child actors from seeing the ship so that the first time the characters see the ship is also the first time the actors saw it. (It was later noted that the full-sized version of the ship was destroyed after shooting because they could not find anyone who wanted it.)
[edit] Reception
Film critics were split over The Goonies. Rotten Tomatoes shows 21 positive reviews and 14 "rotten" ones, giving The Goonies an overall score of 60% which is the exact cutoff for movies rated "fresh". Several reviewers noted that the movie appeared to be enjoyable for children and teens, but not so much for adults. It was also controversial that the child stars said "shit", "bullshit", and "dammit" numerous times throughout the film. [2] Some were concerned that Spielberg's name and style was merely being slapped onto a movie directed by someone else. [3]
The Goonies US$9 million opening weekend in the US placed it second on the charts behind Rambo: First Blood Part II. [4] It grossed over US$61 million that year, placing it among the top ten highest grossing movies of 1985 (in the US).
In the decades following its release, The Goonies has gained a cult following primarily comprising people who were children or teens in the 1980s. Chunk actor Jeff Cohen used the slogan "Chunk for President" in his successful campaign for UC Berkeley's student government president in 1996. [1]
Fans of The Goonies celebrated its 20th anniversary in Astoria on June 3–5, 2005.
Several bands have been inspired by the film:
- The Ataris released a song and an album called "So Long, Astoria" (2003) that references the filming location of The Goonies as well as the plot in its lyrics.
- The Aquabats released a song about The Goonies called "Adventure Today" on their album Myths, Legends, and Other Amazing Adventures, Vol. 2.
- The movie also inspired the name of punk rock band Slick Shoes, taken from when Goonies character Data exclaims, "I've got a great idea, you guys! Slick shoes!"
- A Spanish band called La Oreja de Van Gogh released the album El viaje de Copperpot (English: Copperpot's Journey) (2000) in a homage to the film (in the film, Chester Copperpot had tried to find One-Eyed Willie's treasure).
- There is a Japanese rock band called Sloth Love Chunk, referencing a line in the film.
- Jim Jones, from the Harlem rap group The Diplomats (aka Dipset), appears to have used this movie and its characters as inspiration for some of his songs and catch phrases. In his guest appearance of a fellow Diplomats solo album, J.R. Writer's History in the Making, there is a track entitled "Goonies." In this song and on several other occasions, Jim Jones is known to refer to himself as "One-Eyed Willie" the pirate from the film. Jim Jones and other members of The Diplomats commonly refers to their homies or crew as goonies. In December DJ Diggz released the mixtape Goonies2k7 with new material from the Diplomats family, Cyndi Lauper's track is sampled for the intro track.
- Welsh rockers Lostprophets used the line "Andy, you goonie" in the song "Can't Stop, Gotta Date With Hate" from their CD Liberation Transmission (2006).
[edit] Later releases
The Goonies was first released on VHS video in the United States in March 1986 and the laserdisc and CED versions also debuted that year. Warner Home Video released a theatrical widescreen laserdisc on 29 January 1992.
Warner Home Video released The Goonies in widescreen on Region 1 DVD on 21 August 2001. The DVD featured several notable extras, including:
- Commentary by actors Jonathan Ke Quan, Corey Feldman, Sean Astin, Kerri Green, Martha Plimpton, Jeff Cohen, Josh Brolin, and director Richard Donner. This option frequently switches back and shows the actors and Donner gathered together as they are watching the film while recording the commentary. Midway through the film, Sean Astin had to leave, much to the puzzlement of his costars, and without ever getting to say a personal message to Cyndi Lauper that he intended to. He left a Samwise Gamgee action figure in his place, however. In an interview with IGN.com, Astin explained that the recording session started late, which resulted in him having to leave early to honor a prior commitment to his friend (and Goonies nemesis), Joe Pantoliano. [1]
- A 7-minute behind-the-scenes documentary called The Making of The Goonies.
- "The Goonies 'R' Good Enough" music video by Cyndi Lauper. The video is notable in its casting of some 80s icons, like Andre the Giant.
- Deleted scenes: The octopus attack (where the "8 Arms to Hold You" song can be heard), the convenience store scene, and scenes with Sloth and Chunk. This feature is called "Outtakes" in the menu.
- The theatrical trailer.
[edit] Video games
Konami created two versions of The Goonies for the MSX (The Goonies) and Famicom (Goonies). The Goonies II was also released on the Famicom ( NES ). Goonies II was both released in North America and Europe, although the first Goonies was available for play in PlayChoice-10 machines located in most arcades and pizza parlors in the 1980s. This game had little to do with the movie, but achieved a following for its inventive gameplay. In it the Fratellis have managed to kidnap all of the Goonies (except Mikey, whom the player guides) and hide them in hidden cages across a terrain of caverns, mazes and abandoned buildings. As Mikey the player must rescue them all and ultimately free a mermaid named Annie (not found in the film).
Datasoft produced a Goonies video game for 8-bit computers including Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum, Amstrad CPC, Atari and Apple II. This game featured eight screens in which a player had to use two members of the Goonies group to solve puzzles and reach an exit to advance to the next stage. The screens were largely inspired by actual sets and puzzles seen in the movie.
Mikey also appeared as a character in the Japanese Famicom game Konami Wai Wai World (1988).
In 2007, DaimlerChrysler's Jeep division sponsored The Goonies: Return to Astoria, a flash based game. The player's goal is to collect map pieces and doubloons, and then race the Fratelli's to One-Eyed Willie's treasure.[5]
[edit] Soundtrack/Music video
A popular soundtrack was released for the film featuring music by Cyndi Lauper, REO Speedwagon and others (see The Goonies: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack). The Goonies (except Kerri Green) appeared alongside famous professional wrestlers (including Rowdy Roddy Piper and Captain Lou Albano) in the 12-minute "The Goonies 'R' Good Enough" music video. Lauper also has a cameo as herself in the movie, performing this song on TV. Steven Spielberg has a cameo as himself in "The Goonies 'R' Good Enough" music video.
[edit] Sequel and musical adaptation
A film sequel was in the works, something long desired by fans. Donner said that he had a story he liked and Spielberg behind him, but in 2004 several of the actors from the original revealed that Warner Brothers, the copyright holder, had not shown interest in a sequel.[6] Richard Donner has expressed doubt that the sequel will ever happen.[7] However, Entertainment Weekly reported in March 2007 that a musical adaptation of the film is being discussed. "Steven and I have discussed it, and it's something that I'm fairly passionate about right now," Donner says.[8]
[edit] Trivia
- Early in the film, the opening pan on the main goonies house shows a nearby street in Astoria. In the lower left quadrant of the street can be seen just a bit of what looks like an RV. That was Donner's living quarters during filming.
- Sloth (John Matuszak) wears an Oakland Raiders T-shirt through much of the film. Matuszak spent most of his NFL career playing for the Raiders. Sloth rips off this shirt to reveal another shirt with the Superman shield late in the film. In that moment, part of the Superman theme composed by John Williams is played as a reference to Donner's 1978 film.
- During the filming of the "truffle shuffle" scene the set was cleared as the actor who played Chunk was embarrassed to be seen shaking his belly.
- Donner makes a cameo at the end of the movie as one of the ATV-riding sheriffs who finds the Goonies on the beach.
- Sloth's famous cry "Hey You Guys!" is from the intro to the 1970s TV show The Electric Company, used by Rita Moreno.
- The movie is frequently referenced on Mystery Science Theater 3000; whenever a film depicts characters embarking upon a supposedly harrowing situation, a common riff is "They're having an adventure like the Goonies!"
- The sheriff describes a tall tale Chunk had told him about "creatures that multiply when you throw water on them". This is a reference to the film Gremlins, which had been released by Warner Bros. the previous year with Spielberg (producer), Chris Columbus (writer), and Corey Feldman.
- Fratelli in Italian means "brothers".
- In the DVD release, shortly after the Goonies arrive on the beach they describe their adventure to an amazed group of parents and police. At this point you can hear Data say; "The octopus was really scary" referencing a scene with a monster octopus that was never included in the original theatrical release, yet appears as one of the deleted scenes in the DVD release.
- Also during the final scene with police and parents, the people playing the parents of the goonies are for the most part, the real life parents of the actors.
- The deleted scene that featured the snack shop/drug store is now the Astoria Coffee Company located on 304 37th Street in Astoria, Oregon, which is about a block from the location of the Goonie's house.
- In the scene where they have to play the skeleton organ to lower the drawbridge, in the last sequence Andy says, "I dont know if it's an A sharp or B flat." A sharp and B flat are the same note.
[edit] References
- ^ a b Audio commentary from The Goonies DVD (2001)
- ^ The Goonies review by Roger Ebert
- ^ Mountain Xpress - Movie Review: The Goonies
- ^ The Numbers - US Movie Box Office Chart Weekend of June 7, 1985
- ^ ReturnToAstoria.com
- ^ Ain't It Cool News: "Chunk says Goonies Never Say Die, news on GOONIES 2!". June 6, 2005.
- ^ IGN Interviews Richard Donner: Part Two, February 2, 2006. "Q: Do you think it could ever happen? DONNER: We tried. No, I don't think so. We tried really hard. Steven and I, we pitched a couple of things to them and, quite honestly, they weren't right. And we put it aside. If I could ever find a really good handle on a screenplay for it, I'd go pitch it again."
- ^ 'Goonie' Tunes, EW.com, March 28, 2007.
- The Making of The Goonies. Documentary produced by Mick Garris in 1985.
[edit] External links
- The Goonies at the Internet Movie Database
- The Goonies 1985 New York Times film review by Janet Maslin
- The Goonies score campaign
| Films Directed by Richard Donner |
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| X-15 • Salt and Pepper • Twinky • The Omen • Superman • Inside Moves • The Toy • The Goonies • Ladyhawke • Lethal Weapon • Scrooged • Lethal Weapon 2 • Radio Flyer • Lethal Weapon 3 • Maverick • Assassins • Conspiracy Theory • Lethal Weapon 4 • Timeline • 16 Blocks • Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut |
