Now Playing: The Goonies

Original release June 7, 1985

The Goonies

Cast:
Sean Astin – Michael 'Mikey' Walsh
Josh Brolin – Brandon 'Brand' Walsh
Jeff Cohen – Lawrence 'Chunk' Cohen
Corey Feldman – Clark 'Mouth' Devereaux
Ke Huy Quan – Richard 'Data' Wang
Kerri Green – Andrea 'Andy' Carmichael
Martha Plimpton – Stephanie 'Stef' Steinbrenner
John Matuszak – Lotney 'Sloth' Fratelli
Robert Davi – Jake Fratelli
Joe Pantoliano – Francis Fratelli
Anne Ramsey – Mama Fratelli

Directed by Richard Donner
Distributed by Warner Bros.
Written by Steven Spielberg (story) and Chris Columbus (screenplay)

Every kid fantasizes about having a grand adventure. Here we have the romanticization of pirates and their treasure, the slick gun-wielding Italian mafia, and the need to help their families and protect the way of life they know and love, all smashed together into a dangerous adventure that would leave Indiana Jones jealous. And we kids, and kid-at-heart adults, tag along for the ride. This film is beloved by many in my age-bracket, plus or minus a grand 10 years I would wager, and I wouldn't doubt it is still collecting fans from new generations. It even has the distinction of being the theatrical debut of Sean Astin and Josh Brolin.



Let's get this out of the way. I know at least 90% of you reading this are already humming the tune, so to help you along I am embedding the music video. The Twelve-Minute Epic. Complete with parallel story-telling, the kids making an appearance, clips from the movie, and Cyndi Lauper's favorite theme – professional wrestlers.



The town of Astoria, Oregon is under some hard financial times. Luckily for the town, a real estate developer is swooping in to buy up property. This is not so lucky for the residents. Mikey Walsh doesn't want to leave the home he grew up in. More importantly, his friends. When he stumbles upon an old map in the attic, he convinces his friends that it's a treasure map from the infamous pirate One-Eyed Willy. So they sneak out on what would probably be the last adventure they would have together.

Unfortunately for them, the notorious Fratellis have escaped from prison and are also looking for the treasure. The path becomes more dangerous than just a series of booby traps. But no matter how tough it gets, Mikey will never give up. Because Goonies never say die.

In fact, all of them serve an important role in getting to the goal. Mikey's persistance. Brand's protection. Data's ingenuity. Mouth's wit, and to a lesser degree a knowledge of Spanish. Chunk's heart, that defies his fear and wins the astounding friendship of Sloth. In the end, the Goonies have achieved what should be the unachievable. They cleared dangerous passages, avoided certain death at the hands of a ruthless family, discovered the historical ship, treasure, and remains of One-Eyed Willy, and were therefore able to prevent the sale of their town to the heartless real estate developer.

Is it cheesy? Yes. Is it fun? Absolutely. Anyone around at the time of this release probably still has a special place for it in their hearts, and maybe on their DVD shelf. Many of them now sharing it with their own kids, inspiring the desire for adventure in a new generation. Mention the movie in a room full of people and you are almost guaranteed to hear someone yell out “Hey you guys!” And just ask a guy if he can do the Truffle Shuffle. He may need to be drunk, but he'll probably do it.

I have heard rumor that a sequel could still be possible, probably involving the children of the original gang. There is no official word from anyone on the matter. For a little where are they now, maybe a splash of where did they come from, let's take a look.

♠ Sean Astin – Even though he had done a couple TV movies a few years earlier, The Goonies was his theatrical debut for which he received a Young Artist Award for Best Starring Performance by a Young Actor - Motion Picture. He got another one for Best Young Actor Starring in a Motion Picture in 1990 for his role in Staying Together. In 1992 he and co-stars Wil Wheaton, Keith Coogan, T.E. Russell, and George Perez were nominated for Outstanding Young Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture for the movie Toy Soldiers. He also made a name for himself in movies like Encino Man and Rudy, but more recently for his portrayal of Samwise Gamgee in The Lord of the Rings trilogy. He is still active and has several projects in the works.

♠ Josh Brolin – The Goonies was Josh's first role and since then he landed roles in various TV series like “Private Eye”, “The Young Riders” and “Mister Sterling”. Movie credits include Bed of Roses, Mimic, Hollow Man, and Grindhouse. He also portrayed George W. Bush in W. and had a part in Milk. He will next be seen starring in Jonah Hex and is tied to Men in Black III.

♠ Jeff Cohen – He did a couple TV roles prior to Goonies and then a few more TV roles after. Afterward, Jeff pursued a degree in business and later studied at the UCLA School of Law. He became an entertainment lawyer, co-founded the Cohen & Gardner firm in Beverly Hills, and was named one of Hollywood's Top 35 Executives 35 and Under just a couple years ago.

♠ Corey Feldman – Prior to The Goonies Corey had an extensive list of performances, including Friday the 13th parts 4 and 5. He was also in Gremlins which was referenced in The Goonies. Following this he appeared in Stand By Me, The Lost Boys, License to Drive, The 'burbs, Dream a Little Dream, and then providing the voice of Donatello in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Most of his career seemed to be backseat with a rare exception popping through the mist like Meatballs 4 and Tales From the Crypt: Bordello of Blood.

♠ Ke Huy Quan – Actually goes by the name Jonathon Ke Quan, his only previous role was the yer before as Short Round in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. He did some TV series before popping up in Encino Man with fellow Goonie Sean Astin. Recently he has done stunt choreography for X-Men and The One.

♠ Kerri Green – Having done a little TV and a couple other movies like Summer Rental and Lucas, Kerri slid out of the acting career. She has still made occasional appearances in minor roles on TV shows like “ER” and “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit”.

♠ Martha Plimpton – Martha continues being active in Hollywood. She appeared in many movies including The Mosquito Coast, Parenthood, Beautiful Girls, and Dante's Inferno. She ha had recent appearances on “The Good Wife”, “Fringe”, and “How to Make It in America”, and has a few more projects in production.

♠ Robert Davi – Already with an extensive resume prior to playing Jake Fratelli, he also had an extensive resume afterward. There was a lengthy run at the end of the 90s on the TV show “Profiler” and he had a recurring role as Commander Kolya on “Stargate:Atlantis” and a good half a dozen projects currently in production.

♠ Joe Pantoliano – Joe also has a very long list of experience. Notably, at least for me, was his role as Cypher in The Matrix but also Bad Boys II and “The Sopranos”. His latest project was a role in Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief and has more in the works.

Sadly, John Matuszak died only 4 years after The Goonies but he managed to squeeze in almost two dozen more projects before then. Anne Ramsey died 3 years after The Goonies but between her role as Mama Fratelli and later as Momma in 1987's Throw Momma From the Train she will forever be remembered.

And, just in case you wanted to check it out, here is the original theatrical trailer: