Batteries Not Included (1987)

Hey Cannon Cruisers fans! This week, we’re taking a look at Batteries Not Included (1987), a sci-fi comedy-drama directed by Matthew Robbins and produced by Steven Spielberg. The film follows a group of elderly tenants trying to save their building from demolition—until a few tiny flying robots show up to help. It’s part urban drama, part whimsical fantasy, and very much a product of its time.

With performances from Hume Cronyn, Jessica Tandy, and Elizabeth Peña, we break down the film’s slow pacing, its mix of practical and early CGI effects, and the strange but heartfelt story at its core. Is it a cult gem or just a sentimental throwback? Tune in for our thoughts on where Batteries Not Included fits in the late ’80s film scene.