Childhood Rejects
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breaking Fratelli Family for a shot at the treasure that will save their homes.
Self-proclaimed misfits, the children call themselves “The Goonies,”and their
quirky personalities, cleverly introduced in the movie’s opening action scene in
which one of the Fratelli Brothers breaks out of jail, carry the film. This
treasure-seeking crew of kids smacks of diversity and represents different
strengths and weaknesses. Mikey Walsh, the intense, persevering Goonie who
leads the group on the treasure hunt to win money to save the family home,
wears braces, suffers from asthma and eschews his over-protective mother’s
reminders that he use his inhaler. Mouth, the quick-witted, smart-mouthed
Goonie who is bilingual in English and Spanish, can at times be an annoying
blowhard, but he is still useful to have around because he can translate. Data—
intelligent, inventive, and Asian—idolizes James Bond and has many gadgets
and gizmos that at times seem crazy, but turn out to save the day. Chunk, an
overweight, clumsy Goonie, cannot say no to food and regularly exaggerates the
truth, but he excels at making the group laugh when he rolls his belly,
performing “the truffle shuffle,” and acts with compassion and acceptance to
others who are different and shunned. Brandon Walsh, or simply “Brand” as he
is called, is Mikey’s older brother, who feels humiliated because he did not pass
his driver’s license test and goes along on the adventure because he is a
responsible care giver for his little brother. Finally, two girls who are not part of
the “The Goonies” come too. Andy, who is the same age as Brand, ends up
tagging along unexpectedly because, although she is being pursued by Troy
Perkins, the son of the rich banker who is foreclosing on the Walshes, she really
likes Brand; she plays an important role in the discovery of treasure when she
plays out a secret code on a piano. Stef, Andy’s cynical friend, also gets scooped
up for the journey, sparring with and eventually befriending Mouth in the
process. Variously characterized by their fast talking, nerdy inventions, excess
weight, braces, asthma, fears, weak musical talent, or failed driving test, these
children, although possessing important attributes, see themselves in terms of
their insecurities, prompting young viewers to identify wit