Sean Astin on The Goonies
One thing that makes acting in films a
worthy endeavor for me is how the movies take on a life
of their own over time. The degree to which Goonies
lives on in the hearts and minds of millions of people continues
to amaze me. I suppose we were able to tap into a spirit of
magic and adventure that resonates with kids! People want to
believe that it's still possible to discover treasure -- or win the
lottery.
A film like Goonies is a terrific fantasy
that allows kids to enjoy the notion that some game they play in
their backyards could become the fantastic adventure of a
lifetime. I've had so many people tell me that they used to
"play" Goonies in the trees behind their house or that
they would "be Mikey" when they and their friends would re-enact
scenes from The Goonies.
People who enjoyed the film when it was
released can go back to it on VHS or DVD and
have those wonderful childhood feelings brought up inside of them.
With all of the talk about sequels on fan sites, it is fun to see
that people remain not only interested in what they remember from
the past, but they want to affect the outcome of the future. Some
people can't stand the idea of a sequel -- either they thought the
movie stunk the first time around or they're real fans who are
concerned about the quality of a sequel. I think those folks don't
want their experience of the film tarnished.
I was in Idaho the other night having dinner, when
a woman approached me and said she had just come back from
Astoria, Oregon, where we filmed on location. She was proud to have
paid a special visit to the site of the Walsh House! I gladly
signed an autograph for her, "Welcome to the Goonies
Club." One of my own prized possessions is an
autographed poster from Steven Spielberg which reads, "Sean,
I'm still a Goonie, How about you?" -- Sean Astin, August
2001
