Family Friday: The Goonies

Every  now and then the pieces fall together in such a way that the result is magic.  The Goonies is one of films.

With a relatively unknown (at the time) cast of child actors, The Goonies has become a cult classic that continues to be enjoyed by generation after generation.  Produced by Steven Spielberg and directed by Richard Donner, the film combined gangsters, pirate treasure and a quest that captured the imagination.

The Goonies are a group of kids who live in the "Goon Docks" of Astoria, Oregon.  When their parents are in danger of losing their house due the country club expanding, the kids are distraught at being broken up.  While digging in the attic, Mikey and his friends discover a map to the hidden treasure of One-Eyed Willie, an infamous pirate.  Along the way, Mikey (Sean Astin) and his friends (including Corey Feldman) run afoul of a family of gangsters called the Fratellis (Anne Ramsey, Joe Pantoliano, Robert Davie, and John Matuszak as Sloth).  Pursued by the gangsters and his brother (Josh Brolin), the Goonies work their way through underground tunnels filled with booby traps in hopes of finding pirate gold and saving their families.

There have been rumors for years of a sequel with director Donner saying it will happen and then backing off.  There have also been planned cartoons based on The Goonies and even a Broadway show.  Whether it ever happens, The Goonies is one of those timeless 80's movies that defined my generation, and I really enjoy sharing it with my kids.