I’m a Dad now for just over 2 and half years. Since my son Cameron was born he’s been surrounded by all things movies. His first experience in the cinema was before he was even 2 years old. Tragically it was Ice Age 4. But that’s another story. Even before that, The Muppets and Toy Story in particular (1-3) have nearly burnt out my Blu-Ray player. Come to think of it, the whole Pixar library has been watched countless times on everything from TV’s to iPads. But the last two days were something that really resonated with me. Sure, when he shouts out for Buzz or Woody or Rex or Jessie it makes me go all warm and squishy. I can see the connection he’s made with some pretty legendary characters. But this is something far more powerful than that!
Yesterday (Sunday) I suggested we watch E.T. Now to most 2 year olds, they don’t have a clue who or what the hell E.T. is. Cameron on the other hand has an awareness, due to my inability so sing nursery rhymes. Instead, his bed time routine revolves around me humming (albeit quite badly) multiple John Williams scores from Indy, Star Wars and of course E.T. I recently purchase the restored edition of E.T. on Blu-Ray and this was as good an excuse I was going to get to open it up. So cuddled up on the couch, we embarked on our first Spielberg journey together. With a little bit of running commentary (Daddy explaining this that and the other) we made it through the first hour and 12 minutes before the dreaded bed time arrived. Throughout there was near child hypnosis as Elliot and E.T. bonded on screen. Even on the scarier parts, Cameron had a little running commentary of his own. “E.T. get fright” “Babba get fright”.
This evening, I said we’d watch the remaining hour. Once Cameron decided to put away his Wreck-It Ralph, we once again cuddled up on the couch. As soon as our extra-terrestrial buddy turned up on screen, Cameron’s eyes lit up! “E.T.” he proclaimed at the top of his voice. With eyes glued to the top notch blu-ray restoration once again, the emotional punch that Steven Spielberg’s classic delivers, hit home like a freight train.When NASA and company turn up and things aren’t going too well for Elliot and his buddy, Cameron shouts out “E.T. sad” “Elliot sad”. While not wanting to get into a life and death conversation with a 2 and half year old, I decided to say E.T. was sick.
From the moment E.T. comes back to life, Cameron’s eyes were opened as wide as could be and he had a genuine excited look on his face. I asked him was he happy? He replied he was. I asked him was he sad? He replied he was. I asked was it because E.T. was sad? He replied it was. And while Daddy tried his hardest to conceal buckets of tears, he dropped a line that will stay with me for quite some time. “E.T. sad. Daddy sad!” It’s blown my mind what a puppet and a young actor called Henry Thomas have done this evening.It’s simply amazing to me how can movies have such an emotional impact, no matter what your age. And that my friends, is the real magic of the movies!
