*batteries not included
- Review Date: August 16, 2005
- Rated: PG
- Genre: Science Fiction
- Release Year: 1987
- Running Time: 107 minutes
Common Sense Media says
A good film the whole family can enjoy.
- Review Date: August 16, 2005
- Rated: PG
- Genre: Science Fiction
- Release Year: 1987
- Running Time: 107 minutes
*batteries not included gallery
What parents need to know
Violence & scariness
Sexy stuff
Language
Consumerism
Drinking, drugs, & smoking
Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this film's overall content is very mild. However, there are some scenes of violence. One includes an arsonist burning down an apartment building. Another scene shows characters threatening others with axes and baseball bats. This film clearly depicts characters as either good or bad. Even young children will recognize what behavior is acceptable.
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What's the story?
Set in an impoverished section of New York City, *BATTERIES NOT INCLUDED tells the story of honest, blue-collar citizens threatened with eviction to make way for a modern housing complex. The tenants find their prayers answered by an unlikely source: mechanical alien flying saucers. The saucers have the uncanny ability to restore the decrepit apartment complex and defend the tenants from their evictors. It's a quintessential movie of good people vs. bad people.
Is it any good?
QUALITY
Although the film often drags at points, its message is warm and heartfelt. The movie emphasizes the notion of standing up for one's beliefs. One major flaw is Jessica Tandy's character. Her performance as a senile wife is not credible as she teeters in and out of senility like a metronome. Attention is directed toward the struggles and triumphs of the characters. The relationships between the characters are mature, but not overly complex for a child to understand. *batteries not included features a unique plot and conveys an overall positive message that both children and adults will appreciate.
Families can talk about...
Families can talk about the importance of home. Why were the tenants willing to fight so vehemently against those who attempted to evict them? Parents could also highlight the importance of standing up for what you believe in.
Movie details
| Theatrical release date: | January 1, 1987 |
| DVD release date: | March 16, 1999 |
| Cast: | Frank McRae, Hume Cronyn, Jessica Tandy |
| Director: | Matthew Robbins |
| Studio: | Universal Pictures |
| Genre: | Science Fiction |
| Topics: | Robots, Space and aliens |
| Run time: | 107 minutes |
| MPAA rating: | PG |
| MPAA explanation: | thematic elements |
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QUALITY
While I thought this was a cute movie when I saw it when it was first released, it was definitely NOT appropriate for my 8 and 6 year olds. I read the synopsis on here and saw that it didn't mention language being a problem. It WAS! There were all kinds of swear words and other expletives. It was terrible! Also, the artist painted a partially nude painting of Marissa showing her bare breasts. Again, definitely something I didn't want my children to see. Very disappointed that commonsense let me down this time. There was more violence in this movie than I think my children should view for entertainment purposes, too.
What other families should know
Too much violence
Too much sex
Too much swearing
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QUALITY
Good story, not so good language
Like another reviewer, I too saw the film when it was first released and had good memories of it. However, once my family (including 8 and 5 yr olds) were watching it, it was apparent that the language was a problem. Several h***, at least one G-D, and at least one soab. That and the partially nude painting, along with the thug violence struck me as over the top for anyone under 12 yrs. Wish it hadn't been there, because it's a really good story that the whole family should have been able to watch.
What other families should know
Too much sex
Too much swearing
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QUALITY
cute and clever marred by needless language and violence
most of the movie is great, but i was sorry we rented it for our family for two reasons:
1) the thugs in the beginning are excessively violent. it was well beyond what was needed for the storyline. it was so much, even our 14 yr old chose to go read a book within 10 minutes from the start.
2) they use every common expletive except the f-word at least once. how is that family fare?
it's too bad, because it would have otherwise been a cute movie.
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