Why ‘The Goonies’ Is Not Just A Classic, But A Legendary Movie [Video]

Some movies touch our funny bones, some touch our lives, and some our hearts. It’s a rare movie that will encompass all three in such a fashion that, decades later, we still talk about it. The Goonies is one such film. Released in 1985, The Goonies was one of the most popular films of its time. Everyone loved The Goonies, from young children to adults. Upon its 30th anniversary, I’m reminded of my first viewing of The Goonies.

#TheGoonies is 30 years old this week #GooniesNeverSayDie pic.twitter.com/5EdfKBSMYy

— SPIN 1038 (@spin1038) June 9, 2015

It was one summer in the midst of the video-renting, VHS-loving 1980s that I had my first glimpse of The Goonies. I was a teenager, at home babysitting my two younger sisters. Of course, as summers go, we were all dreadfully bored. At that time, a quick trip to the video store could cure all, so that’s where we headed, and my sister chose The Goonies. I have to say, The Goonies was not what I would have chosen, as it looked ridiculous to my superior teenage tastes, but in the long run, I decided to watch The Goonies rather than spend an endless afternoon with an angry sister. The following is a synopsis of The Goonies.

“When two brothers find out they might lose their house they are desperate to find a way to keep their home. They find a treasure map and bring some friends along to find it. They are all out looking for the ‘X’ and trying to get away from a group of bad guys who also want the treasure.”

Imagine my surprise when The Goonies grabbed my reluctant attention from the beginning. Even my littlest sister sat in front of The Goonies, spellbound. It was the first of countless times the three of us sat together watching The Goonies. It never got old. To this day, we still reference Chunk (played by Jeff Cohen) when we are trying to get each other to spill the beans about a secret.

Why is The Goonies a legendary movie, even after 30 years? I believe it’s the sense of camaraderie between the main characters: Mikey (Sean Astin), Chunk (Jeff Cohen), Data (Jonathan Ke Quan), Mouth (Corey Feldman), Andy (Kerri Green), Stef (Martha Plimpton), and Brand (Josh Brolin). Though The Goonies friends (and in some cases, brothers and sisters) did not always get along, they came together for the purpose of helping their parents and saving their homes.

The Goonies is an excellent example of the good that can be accomplished by putting aside differences and learning to work together. The Goonies teaches kids, through a fun and suspenseful story line, that they can do anything they put their minds to, and that by coming together and working as a team, greater things can be won than by simply working alone.

So pull out that old DVD of The Goonies and have a movie night in commemoration of The Goonies 30th anniversary.

What are your favorite scenes or quotes from The Goonies?

[Image via Miami Sun Post]