*batteries not included

Released in 1987, batteries not included is a whimsical blend of science fiction, comedy, and drama, which is not only heartwarming but also imaginative in its execution. The film stars renowned actors such as Hume Cronyn, Jessica Tandy, and Frank McRae, under the direction of Matthew Robbins.

At the heart of batteries not included is a plot that resonates with the themes of community, resilience, and hope in the face of adversity. Set in Manhattan's Lower East Side, the story pivots around a group of long-time residents, discovering that they might soon lose their homes and their livelihoods. Avaricious urban developers, with little regard for the individual stories that echo within the battered walls of the run-down building, seek to bulldoze their way to progress and affluence.

The ensemble cast brings to life diverse and engaging characters that collectively form the pulse of this narrative. Hume Cronyn and Jessica Tandy play Frank and Faye Riley, an elderly couple managing a small diner on the ground floor of the threatened apartment complex. Frank is tough and resilient, while Faye is tender and slightly absent-minded, offering a charming thematic counterpoint in the storyline. They resonate deeply with viewers, embodying the true spirit of grit, determination, and love.

Another resident of the complex is Frank McRae's Harry Noble. He plays the role of a once-great boxer, now a silent giant, sidelined by life who spends his time feeding pigeons on the rooftop. Other notable characters include an aspiring artist, a pregnant woman forced into solitary life, and an individual with a criminal past trying to turn over a new leaf.

As the daunting realities of their near-future start to unfurl, an unexpected turn of events offers them newfound hope. They discover the arrival of five mysterious living spaceships, the size of toaster ovens, that seem to possess human-like sensitivity and are marked by their ability to renovate the dilapidating building. These mechanical aliens, conjured from a childlike imagination, appear to feed off electricity and show extraordinary capabilities, such as the ability to repair their own damaged components and even reproduce.

batteries not included beautifully weaves its narrative around these five metallic entities, making them pivotal aspects of the narrative while ensuring they delicately accentuate the human drama and emotional threads of the storyline. The spaceships bring not only their miraculous fixing abilities into the almost doomed lives of these desperate characters but also infuse a sense of joy, hope, and camaraderie in a community dealing with their own individual anxieties and conflicts.

Director Matthew Robbins does an impressive job with the special effects used to animate the spaceships. These effects, way ahead of their time, convincingly lent life to the spaceships while preserving the whimsical and light-hearted atmosphere that pervades the film.

batteries not included serves as a heartfelt testament to the power of unity and resilience. Its amalgamation of the drama and science fiction genres is not just visually stimulating but also emotionally engaging. However, it is the well-brought-out human elements, the depiction of the various characters and their relationships, that truly stand out, offering a rich, layered viewing experience. This film is an elegant fusion of warmth and whimsy and holds true entertainment value for both children and adults. It carries a message that reverberates beyond the realm of the narrative: that even when faced with severe adversities, hope and unity can carry us through.

batteries not included is a touching urban fairytale that leaves viewers with a smile. The memorable performances by Cronyn, Tandy, and McRae, coupled with an engaging storyline, offer a feel-good movie experience that is both enjoyable and thought-provoking.