A SPACESHIP full of ray gun-wielding extra-terrestrials, intent on invading Earth, meets resistance in a most unexpected form in John Schultz’s out-of-this-world family comedy.

Aliens In The Attic is a special effects-laden adventure that positions younger characters as the heroes, unlikely saviours of mankind armed with items from their toy cupboard.

In the calm before a meteor shower, four aliens land on Earth, intent on recovering a device from the basement of the Pearsons’ holiday home, which will signal the invasion.

Adults are clueless or largely ineffectual as an invasion gathers pace, masterminded by a race of talking knee-high creatures who strike a curious balance between fearsome and cute.

Director Schultz borrows shamelessly from ET: The Extra-Terrestrial to forge a bond between the youngest human child and the one alien who doesn’t think “human beings are vicious”, teeing up a predictably teary farewell.

Aliens In The Attic is undemanding, PG-friendly fun.

The visual effects are polished without being spectacular, and should hold the attention of youngsters in the audience long enough to stop them wolfing down their popcorn too quickly.