E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack] [20th Anniversary Edit

1	Main Titles 1:06
2	Far from Home/E.T. Alone 6:46
3	Bait for E.T. 1:44
4	Meeting E.T. 2:05
5	E.T.'s New Home 1:38
6	The Beginning of a Friendship 3:02
7	Toys 2:43
8	"I'm Keeping Him" 2:18
9	E.T.'s Powers 2:42
10	E.T. and Elliott Get Drunk 2:54
11	Frogs 2:10
12	At Home 5:37
13	The Magic of Halloween 2:52
14	Sending the Signal 3:56
15	Searching for E.T. 4:16
16	Invading Elliott's House 2:21
17	E.T. Is Dying 2:19
18	Losing E.T. 2:02
19	E.T. Is Alive! 4:06
20	Escape/Chase/Saying Goodbye 15:01
21	End Credits 3:49

Barnes & Noble

Of his longtime collaborator composer John Williams, director Steven Spielberg has said, "He sees my movie, rewrites the whole thing musically, and makes the whole thing better." Williams's scores, which include Jaws, Star Wars, and Raiders of the Lost Ark, are among the most memorable in film music history, and his 1982 Academy Award-winning score for E.T. is his crowning glory. Perhaps the score's beauty is best illustrated by the closing passage, "Escape/Chase/Saying Goodbye," which begins slowly with muted brass joined by quickly darting strings. Oboes flicker in the background and then the full orchestra comes in, an accelerating tension signaled by horns and timpani. The quickening, strings-driven tempo is interrupted by a brief, lovely piccolo restatement of the main theme, which recurs throughout the score. In a sudden, transcendent moment -- as E.T., Elliot, and the listener are swept skyward -- the passage shifts, incorporating rapid strings before the full orchestra soars and gradually fades into a tender conclusion. This 20th Anniversary Edition appends three previously unreleased selections, and the booklet features photos and an interview with the composer. Filled with mystery and wonder, the music of E.T. remains as magical as ever. Andrew Velez

All Music Guide

To coincide with the re-release of a new version of E.T. with previously unseen footage and a digitally remixed soundtrack, this CD -- digitally remastered and remixed, natch -- was issued. The big (well, rather small actually) bonuses this time around are three previously unreleased selections from the score, boosting the track total to 21. Judged purely by the standards of soundtrack music, John Williams' score is nothing special. Its languorous orchestration is delivered with a good deal of restraint, to convey the mystery, uncertainty, and sometimes unease of a melodramatic film about the discovery of extraterrestrial life. Indeed at times you'll be wondering if the volume on your stereo has been accidentally lowered, as some sections fall toward the threshold of audibility. Only occasionally does the mood become jubilant or overtly sentimental. It's for the most part unobtrusive background moods for the film's story, more comforting than eerie, whether or not that was the intention. At 75 minutes of running time it's good value, though. Richie Unterberger