Reviewing Fanhome’s ‘ET The Extraterrestrial’ Build Up Subscription Stages 81-85

Build Stages 81-85 have arrived for my Fanhome ET The Extraterrestrial Build-Up subscription*. Things are getting really exciting. There are some internal body structures and some wiring left to do, but after that, he just needs skin and we’re done. My little Asogian botanist will be tending bar here very soon.

Build Stage 81

The magazine for this build stage has a feature that discusses ET’s cameos across film and television, including an on-screen appearance with Mork from Ork, the Greblieps in the Galactic Senate scene Star Wars: Episode 1- The Phantom Menace, and a brief animated cameo in the film Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers. Another article highlights the advantages and shortcomings of practical effects vs CGI.

This build stage includes a sensor and wiring that allow the touch controls of one of ET’s motion and sound effects. Pretty straightforward. Attach the shoulder, connect the sensor, attach sensor, route sensor wiring through ET’s spine to the circuit board.

Build Stage 82

This stage’s magazine talks about the armload of Academy Awards won by the ET film. There’s more discussion on the advent, evolution, and impact of CGI on the film industry. There’s also a piece on romantic comedies. I haven’t watched ET in a couple months, but is it a romantic comedy? I think I missed that bit.

Stage 82 is exactly the same as stage 81, but mirrored for the other shoulder.

Build Stage 83

Cosplay, more CGI discussion, and 80s bands are the topics of this stage’s companion magazine. 

One of the things about this build that’s pretty amazing is how each of the parts has to interact with the other parts without disruption. This stage’s back piece needed to be secured to the armature in a way that would cover and protect that wiring without pinching or impeding its movement as the neck extends and retracts. This stage took me a few minutes.

Build Stage 84

This magazine is one of the most interesting I’ve gotten in this subscription. The first article is about ET in theme parks. This hooked me in because I’ve ridden that ET ride at Universal Orlando, and it confused the hell out of me. Makes slightly more sense now.

This build stage is similar to the last, but easier. The chest structure fits around the heart light reflector. The pieces are smaller, there’s more clearance, and there are fewer internal structures to worry about damaging or impeding. 

Build Stage 85

ET is discussed as an advertising juggernaut in this magazine.  McDonalds, Reese’s Pieces, British Telecom, Toys “R” Us… everyone wanted a piece of the little Asogian. There is also an interesting piece on the blatant imitation of the formula that made ET an international sensation. Films like Mac and Me, *batteries not included, Starman, and Meatballs 4 are all pretty much the exact same story, executed to varying levels of success. 

This build stage had 4-5 steps that were super easy, and one that had me break out in a cold sweat. Attaching the left front ribs and the last touch sensor presented no problem. And then, I had to plug every single wiring harness into the circuit board. 

I may have mentioned at some point that my hands are huge. Some of these connections are in tiny little spots. A lot of the harnesses look exactly like other harnesses. The front of the circuit board looks almost exactly like the back. I procrastinated this stage for as long as I could, and then worked through it. The main issue for me is that there’s no way to test that these connections are correct until after the next ten build stages. That’s terrifying.

*Fanhome provides this subscription to me free of charge for the purposes of review.