Batteries Not Included

Director: Matthew Robbins Matthew Robbins

Overview

"Matthew Robbins' family-friendly science fiction film *batteries not included comes to DVD with a widescreen transfer that preserves the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85:1. The English soundtrack is rendered in Dolby Digital 5.1, and a French soundtrack has been recorded in Dolby Digital Surround. Spanish subtitles are accessible, and the English soundtrack is closed-captioned. Supplemental materials include trailers, production notes, and biographies. This is a fine, inexpensive release from Universal."

Product Details

Release Date:	03/16/1999
UPC:	0025192052026
Original Release:	1987
Rating:	PG
Source:	UNIVERSAL STUDIOS
Region Code:	1
Sound:	[Dolby Digital Stereo, Dolby Surround, Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround]
Language:	English
Time:	1:47:00
Sales rank:	1,006

Special Features

Production notes; Cast and filmmakers biographies; Film highlights; Theatrical trailer; Web links

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Hume Cronyn	Frank Riley,Frank Riley
Jessica Tandy	Faye Riley,Faye Riley
Frank McRae	Harry Noble,Harry Noble
Michael Carmine	Carlos,Carlos
Dennis Boutsikaris	Mason,Mason
Jane Hoffman	Muriel,Muriel
John DiSanti	Gus,Gus
John Pankow	Kovacs,Kovacs
MacIntyre Dixon	DeWitt,DeWitt
Elizabeth Peña	Marisa Esteval,Marisa Esteval
Michael Greene	Lacey,Lacey
James LeGros	Actor,Actor
Tom Aldredge	Sid Hogenson,Sid Hogenson
Doris Belack	Mrs. Thompson,Mrs. Thompson
Wendy Schaal	Pamela,Pamela
Shelly Kurtz	Policeman at Hospital,Policeman at Hospital
Alice Beardsley	Nurse,Nurse
Dick Martinsen	Fireman,Fireman
James Horner	Composer,Composer
José Angel Santana	Goon #1,Goon #1

Technical Credits

Brad Bird

Brent Maddock

S.S. Wilson

Mick Garris

Kathleen Kennedy	Executive Producer,Executive Producer
Frank Marshall	Executive Producer,Executive Producer
Matthew Robbins	Director,Director
Ronald L. Schwary	Producer,Producer
Steven Spielberg	Executive Producer,Executive Producer,Producer,Producer
Brad Bird	Screenwriter,Screenwriter
Brent Maddock	Screenwriter,Screenwriter
S.S. Wilson	Screenwriter,Screenwriter
Gene S. Cantamessa	Sound Effects,Sound Effects,Sound Effects,Sound Effects
Mick Garris	Screenwriter,Screenwriter

Editorial Reviews

Co-written and produced by Steven Spielberg, it's hardly worth noting that this film was directed by Matthew Robbins. It looks and feels like a Spielberg movie. Blending together cute and curious aliens and geriatrics who've still got some life in them despite their years, one would assume that *batteries not included is an attempt to bridge the gap between E.T. and Cocoon. And while it surely falls short of the greatness of those classics, it isn't completely worth avoiding, especially for younger viewers and families. After all, the ho-hum story line about an evil land developer using illegal tactics to evict the residents of a run-down tenement is really just a backdrop for the admittedly dazzling effects and the charming performances of real-life husband and wife Hume Cronyn and Jessica Tandy. And it is those elements that make this an undoubtedly sweet and likeable experience.