This film, sometimes criticized as over-rated, was Spielberg""s biggest blockbuster up to that time.It also popularized Reese""s Pieces candy, Kuwahara bikes, and red hoodies.Observant audiences noted the film""s many merchandising tie-ins and inside "film jokes."While the film was regarded by some as a religious allegory or parable, the film more clearly identifies with many childhood experiences: a troubled, broken family with a single parent and no positive role-models, a lonely, disenfranchised boy lacking emotional fulfillment, a boy""s fierce caring for an equally-lost, stray creature or pet (also ""broken away"" from his family), the need for friendship, he malevolent world of grown-ups and the perils of childhood, miraculous healing, wish-fulfillment, courage, transcendence, and homesickness.Willard is shown a picture and told about a witty, brilliant American officer, a once-decorated operations officer and war hero - and now an insane, deranged, rogue renegade Green Beret Colonel named Walter E.He believes that he can finally be replaced at the company by his brother and turn over the management to Harry - he can, at last, leave Bedford Falls." He accused the imperious President of making decisions, when upset, that affected the fate of "American soldiers and innocent civilians.