lang="en-US"> SCRUTINY | "E.T." Phones Home To Toronto
Ludwig van Toronto

SCRUTINY | “E.T.” Phones Home To Toronto

Michael Vincent
Led by young conductor Evan Mitchell, the ad hoc Motion Picture Symphony Orchestra phoned home to a receptive and cheerful holiday audience.
Led by young conductor Evan Mitchell, the ad hoc Motion Picture Symphony Orchestra phoned home to a receptive and cheerful holiday audience.

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial in Concert

For children of the 1980s, classic Amblin films like E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial represent the beginning of the first VHS generation. It was the first time films became something you could bring home and savour.

Fast forward to 2016 and the growing popularity of nostalgic flicks brought to life with a live orchestra has been gaining serious ground. This golden mix was on display Thursday night at the Sony Centre in the heart of Toronto’s Entertainment District.

Led by young conductor Evan Mitchell, the ad hoc Motion Picture Symphony Orchestra phoned home to a receptive and cheerful holiday audience. I’m not sure how many were there as an excuse to get away from their visiting in-laws over the holidays, but I suppose that was as good an excuse as any.

Mitchell came onstage with a bag of Reese’s Pieces and even shared a few with the concertmaster before lifting his baton to open John Williams’ first cue. In turn, the audience was escorted back to 1982 to Spielberg’s sci-fi story about a young boy’s friendship with a gentle creature from outer space. After nearly 35 years, the film has aged remarkably well.

Read the full review, here.

For more REVIEWS, click HERE.

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