The Goonies: Critic Reviews

The Goonies has every imaginable funhouse flourish. It has crooks, bats, cobwebs, skeletons, a lovable monster, an underground grotto and a treasure hidden by some of the most considerate, clue-loving pirates who ever lived.

The Goonies is a smooth mixture of the usual ingredients from Steven Spielberg action movies, made special because of the high-energy performances of the kids who have the adventures.

It's a charmless exercise: director Richard Donner turns the kids into shrieking ferrets, and his jumpy cutting seems to lag behind the action deliberately in a curious attempt to make the film seem more chaotic and cluttered.

A classic '80s action-fantasy -- tweens will love!

For some, The Goonies is a classic, but for others the film is simply a mediocre kids' flick.

...lacks charm, wit, or warmth, yet appears to remain a hit with children because of its frenetic pace, slapstick gags, goofy characters, and slightly naughty language.

You'll feel more like you were on a theme park ride than at a movie

Of its type, great fun--at least for kids.

Nothing more than cookbook filmmaking.

Whether it's an organ that threatens death if the wrong note is played, a wishing well that talks back to you or a pirate ship, the surface of The Goonies is all about a child's innocence and faith in the unlikely.

While the pre-pubescents continually scream, their doting parents prove equally odious in a finale of astounding sentimentality.

Director Richard Donner captures a lovely New England-type autumn chill and the feeling of impulsive, misspent weekends.

All parceled up in one of those gooey 'money doesn't buy happiness' endings so beloved by multimillionaire producers.

Tries way too hard.

Loads of fun for kids and tweeners, or at least it was back in the '80s.

A rolicking good time is had by all in this adventure that is built on archetypal plot strands that tie together oh so well.

A contemporary equivalent to the Hardy Boys adventure tales.

a nostalgic gem