An expansion of a Mick Garris story originally meant for the TV anthology series Amazing Stories, this Steven Spielberg-produced fantasy is a heartwarming tale of a fight against urban gentrification.
Residents of an apartment building in New York are being bullied by a ruthless developer using strong-arm tactics. Owners of the corner diner, Frank (Hume Cronyn) and Faye (Jessica Tandy) take the brunt of the attacks, having their business trashed. When they are at their lowest point, they discover a pair of small alien craft that is using their electricity. In return, the visitors repair things that have been broken by the thugs (led by Michael Carmine). As things worsen, the last occupants unite with the aliens to save their homes.
Spielberg’s trademark schmaltz is all over director (and co-writer with Brad Bird) Michael Robbins’ film. And that’s not a bad thing at all. We’re on board with the characters’ plight from the opening moments. Tandy and Cronyn are fantastic as the aged couple who, as well as dealing with the constant aggro from the developer’s minions, are struggling with Faye’s dementia. Without the fantasy element, the movie would still be an engaging human interest film; with them, it’s a magical fight against the ‘man’. Despite having no backstory for the visitors, the little alien/spaceships have plenty of character, and it’s fun to see one of them ‘giving birth’ from an amalgamation of metals and electrical devices pilfered from the residents,
Imprint’s Blu-ray presents the film looking spectacularly and three new extras that are very interesting. These take the form of interviews with the director, original writer Mick Garris, and the widow of composer James Horner. If you’re a fan of the film (and it’s a very easy movie to like), this is a highly recommended pickup.
