One of the early works that showed the genius of Steven Spielberg is the movie The Sugarland Express. This was the movie that showcased his skill in the theatrical filmmaking scene way before Jaws made him a household name, and Jurassic Park helped cement his legacy. Sure, if you look at his list of movies, The Sugarland Express might not be his greatest work, but even after almost half a century, the movie still holds up quite well.

The movie did not just stand out due to the fresh premise; the idea of a whole police convoy chasing behind a couple who held a policeman hostage, to rescuing their kid before he goes off to a foster home, prison break, growing a bond with the hostage— all these layers really added to the quality of the movie.

Even though it was one of his early works, it feels like he...