*batteries not included Movie Review

As an evil real estate developer schemes to demolish a New York tenement, the few remaining residents are aided in their struggle by friendly flying saucers that are only the size of, well, saucers, and these miniature machine-creatures have a talent for home improvement and helping out old folks. Operating on E.T./Cocoon autopilot, Steven Spielberg produced this sf reworking of the old elves-and-the-shoemaker fairy tale, with superb f/x from Industrial Light & Magic, awed stares from the human cast, and an overdose of schmaltz. Crusty Hume Cronyn is the only performer who doesn't get carried away by the cutes.

1987 (PG) 107m/C Hume Cronyn, Jessica Tandy, Frank McRae, Michael Carmine, Elizabeth Pena, Dennis Boutsikaris; D: Matthew Robbins; W: Matthew Robbins, Brad Bird, Brent Maddock, S.S. Wilson; C: John McPherson; M: James Horner. VHS, Beta, LV MCA