"Batteries Not Included": Tiny Aliens, Big Heart, and Surprisingly Competent '80s Sci-Fi

Okay, so I just re-watched batteries not included (yes, the spelling is intentional!), and I have thoughts. For a movie I remember only vaguely from childhood, it actually holds up pretty well! The director is Matthew Robbins, by the way, I had to look it up. I guess it's technically sci-fi, but it's really more of a heartwarming story about community and fighting for what's right. The cinematography isn't groundbreaking or anything, but it gets the job done. I think the visual effects for the tiny aliens, the "Fix-its" as they are called, are really endearing. They have so much character in how they move and the little sounds they make. I especially loved the scenes with Hume Cronyn and Jessica Tandy. They bring such warmth and honesty to their roles as the elderly couple, Frank and Faye Riley. It helps sell the emotional core of the movie where it could easily feel saccharine. There's this one scene where the little female Fix-it lays an egg (lol) in their apartment, and the way Frank reacts is just genuinely sweet. You totally buy into him caring about these little robots. And even though the "bad guys" are pretty two-dimensional (the demolition crew is VERY 80s villain), the film still manages to create a palpable sense of conflict. What I found interesting is the underlying theme of urban development versus community preservation. It's a story that's still relevant today, maybe even more so. The movie doesn't hammer you over the head with it, but it's definitely there. Maybe I'm just a sap, but I actually got a little teary-eyed at the end. It doesn't break any cinematic ground, its hardly high art, but its a really enjoyable film, especially if you are looking for something heartwarming that isn't trying to be ironic. Honestly, I think its kind of underrated. Not like, Oscar-worthy, but a good watch if you're in the mood for something nostalgic and feel-good. Okay, rant over! What does everyone else think about it? Am I alone in my appreciation for this cheesy-but-cute movie?