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

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