The presence of distinguished real-life husband and wife Hume Cronyn and Jessica Tandy makes this saccharine-sodden retread of Cocoon(1985) worth watching.
They play residents of a doomed New York tenement (817 East 8th Street) – where an unscrupulous and ruthless property developer has sent thugs to clear the last five tenants – who find the unlikeliest of allies in the shape of a friendly group of miniature alien space creatures.
It’s made by Steven Spielberg’s production company Amblin, but, sadly, there is little of his magic touch here – even though it’s based on one of his scripts for the Amazing Stories TV series – and director Matthew Robbins lets sentimentality run supreme.
Technically fine, with excellent Industrial Light & Magic effects, the film is twee and corny but also quite sweet and satisfying.
Frank Riley
Hume Cronyn Faye Riley
Jessica Tandy Harry Noble
Frank McRae Marisa
Elizabeth Peña Carlos
Michael Carmine Mason
Dennis Boutsikaris Sid
Tom Aldredge Muriel
Jane Hoffman Gus
John DiSanti Kovacs
John Pankow DeWitt
MacIntyre Dixon Lacey
Michael Greene Mrs Thompson
Doris Belack Pamela
Wendy Schaal
Director
Matthew Robbins
Video
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