Why Old Movies Like E.T. Were Better—Even When They Objectively Weren’t
Older movies like E.T. by Steven Spielberg, Jaws, and the original Star Wars trilogy didn’t just feel more immersive—they were more immersive. Despite their flaws—jerky puppets, grainy visuals, and sometimes clunky acting—they’ve stood the test of time in ways that many modern blockbusters, with their endless CGI and astronomical budgets, simply can’t.
The secret? These films prioritized heart, storytelling, and creativity over perfection. By contrast, today’s movies often trade emotional depth for visual spectacle, leaving audiences impressed but unfulfilled. Let’s break down why older films, imperfections and all, continue to captivate us decades later.
When Imperfection Was Part of the Charm
Take Steven Spielberg’s E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982), a movie whose practical effects and “flaws” helped make it unforgettable. E.T., the puppet alien, didn’t look real by modern standards, but he didn’t need to. What mattered was the tangible, emotional connection between E.T. and Elliott—a connection audiences felt, too. The viewer was trusted to be smart enough to fill in the blanks and appreciate the movie for what it was; entertainment.
The Flaws That Made It Real
Back then, filmmakers worked with practical effects, and it showed. E.T. might have been a bit stiff, but he was there—a physical presence that actors could interact with. Today’s CGI aliens may look flawless, but they lack the weight and authenticity of practical creations. When everything looks perfect, it feels fake.
Older films embraced imperfection, inviting audiences to suspend disbelief and use their imaginations. Modern movies, with their hyper-polished effects, leave little room for that.
“Steven Spielberg showed us that a little imperfection can make a story feel more human.”
Simplicity Over Spectacle
In the 1980s, directors like Steven Spielberg and George Lucas worked within the limits of technology, focusing on storytelling and character development rather than overwhelming audiences with spectacle. Movies like E.T., Jaws, and Raiders of the Lost Ark were grounded in simple, relatable stories that connected with viewers on a personal level.
Why Simplicity Works
E.T. wasn’t about intergalactic wars or endless action sequences—it was about a lonely boy finding a friend. This emotional simplicity made the story universal and timeless. By contrast, today’s blockbusters often drown in their own excess, piling on explosions, CGI monsters, and convoluted plots.
The result? Modern movies may dazzle the eyes, but they rarely tug at the heartstrings the way Spielberg’s classics did.
“Simplicity isn’t just timeless—it’s powerful. Spielberg understood that better than anyone.”
Practical Effects vs. CGI
Practical effects, as imperfect as they were, created a tactile reality that CGI struggles to replicate. Whether it was E.T., the shark in Jaws, or the dinosaurs in Jurassic Park, Spielberg’s use of practical effects helped ground his stories in the real world.
Why CGI Falls Short
CGI, for all its visual splendor, often feels weightless. Actors are interacting with green screens, not real creatures, and audiences can sense the disconnect. Practical effects, on the other hand, had flaws—but those flaws made them feel alive.
Take the shark in Jaws. Spielberg famously struggled with the mechanical beast, which broke down so often it barely appeared on screen. But that limitation turned into a strength, forcing Spielberg to rely on suspense and suggestion rather than showing the monster outright. The result was one of the most terrifying and effective films ever made.
“Practical effects remind us that imperfection is often more believable than perfection.”
The Forgotten Art Of Restraint
Filmmakers like Spielberg didn’t have today’s unlimited resources, and that forced them to be creative. Restraint wasn’t just a necessity—it was a storytelling tool.
When Constraints Create Greatness
In Jaws, the shark’s limited screen time wasn’t a choice—it was a necessity. But that restraint made the film better, forcing Spielberg to build suspense and rely on the audience’s imagination.
Today’s directors, with access to endless CGI and massive budgets, often forget the power of restraint. Instead of letting the audience fill in the gaps, they bombard them with noise and visuals. The result? Spectacle overload that leaves little room for emotional engagement.
“Restraint isn’t a limitation—it’s what makes great storytelling possible.”
Nostalgia vs. Timeless Appeal
It’s easy to chalk up the love for older movies to nostalgia. After all, they remind us of our childhoods. But that explanation sells these films short. The truth is, movies like E.T. resonate because they’re built on universal themes and timeless storytelling.
Timeless Themes, Relatable Characters
Movies like E.T. and The Goonies endure because they tap into emotions we all understand—loneliness, friendship, adventure. These films didn’t need flashy effects or complex plots to captivate audiences. They relied on heart, creativity, and relatability—qualities that are often missing in modern cinema.
“The best movies don’t just entertain—they connect with us on a deeply human level.”
Why Most Modern Movies Feel Hollow
Despite their larger budgets and cutting-edge technology, modern movies often feel empty. They rely too heavily on visual spectacle and fail to prioritize the elements that make stories meaningful.
The Problem with Perfection
Today’s filmmakers can create anything they can imagine, but that freedom often leads to excess. Action scenes drag on, CGI creatures dominate every frame, and the human element gets lost in the noise.
By trying to make everything look perfect, modern movies forget that it’s the imperfections—the moments of real human connection—that make films memorable.
“These films remind us that great stories don’t need perfection—they need heart.”
Older movies like E.T. weren’t perfect, but that’s exactly what made them special. They prioritized storytelling, emotion, and creativity over perfection and spectacle. In doing so, they created experiences that felt personal, immersive, and timeless.
Modern movies, for all their technological brilliance, could learn a lot from the likes of Spielberg and Lucas. Because at the end of the day, it’s not the flawless visuals or massive budgets we remember—it’s the stories that made us feel something.
Do you think older movies were more immersive than today’s blockbusters? Share your thoughts below!