If there’s one movie to sum up my youth, it would be The Goonies. Never in my life have I had a connection with a movie like I have with this one. This year marks the film’s 40th anniversary. Starring Sean Astin, Josh Brolin, Jeff Cohen, Cory Fieldman and Ke Huy Quan, The Goonies is a favorite for many, including myself.
The movie follows a group of kids who call themselves “the goonies” including: Mikey, played by Astin; Brand, played by Brolin, Chunk; played by Cohen, Mouth; played by Feldman; and Data played by Huy Quan. In their small town, housing was closing to make room for a country club. They find an old treasure map that leads to somewhere nearby in Astoria, Oregon. In an attempt to find the treasure to save their homes, they follow the map, leading them into the hideout of the Fratelli crime family. As they continue into their hideout, dodging booby traps and other obstacles, they are being chased by the Fratellis. While adventuring through the hideout, they find Sloth, the Fratellis’ son who has deformations, who had been imprisoned. The goonies free him, and he helps them to find the treasure.
I feel like Sloth is one of the most well recognized characters in film. His light-hearted personality is so unique and personable. You instantly feel for this character. He’s been locked up by his family because of how he looks and left to suffer in this underground tunnel. With famous quotes including “Hey you guys!” Sloth is an iconic character. However, as time progresses, people have criticized the film for Sloth’s character design and the way his character is portrayed. In the film, Sloth has distorted features due to him being dropped as a baby, including slanted eyes and few teeth. In the film, people are scared of him, and his character ends up being this kind of “monster”. People over the years have found this to be dehumanizing, as inclusivity becomes more and more of an accepted concept.
This movie in general is such a fun, action-packed film that keeps you engaged and excited. Usually, action movies aren’t my favorite, but The Goonies is an exception. In fact, it’s a movie I could, and have, watched multiple times. The characters come off as the perfect amount of annoying for teenagers, and the humor within it is admirable.
With it being filmed in 1984, the cast consists of now famous actors when they were younger, most recognizably, Huy Quan. Even before getting more recognized for his work, receiving his first big role in 2022 for Everything Everywhere All At Once and famously winning his first Oscar in 2023, Huy Quan has had outstanding talent. In The Goonies, his character is so likeable. Data is the youngest out of the group and is “the inventor” character. He walks around with his iconic belt and chestpiece, which has tons of his inventions attached to it, and carries around multiple tools on him. He’s a genius. I adore his character so much. Huy Quan is an amazing actor, and his younger roles show that as well as his new ones.
The thing that has made this film so special to me is where it was filmed, Astoria, Oregon. Located around two hours from Portland, Astoria is a beautiful city. There, you can find the Oregon Film Museum, which has props and set pieces from the film. I’ve personally never been, but I’d love to one day.
When I was younger, my family would always go to stay at a campsite in Clatsop County, the KOA, close by to Astoria. Every night, they would play The Goonies in the big lodge, where you could get popcorn and watch the movie. It’s a core part of my childhood. I watched The Goonies dozens of times in that lodge. I don’t know if they still play it every night. I hope they do.
You can’t get more classic than The Goonies, and if you haven’t seen it, I really recommend you do. If you’re looking for a new favorite, or looking for something for family movie night, The Goonies is perfect for you.
