Small Soldiers (1998)

Too much of everything

Memorable, crazy movie

Like the great film, it's made with a great deal of visible affection both in front of and behind the camera.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

Extremely Entertaining amalgamation of Toy Story (1995), Gremlins (1984), and the popular Kid Toys G.I. Joe, and Barbie.Director Joe Dante Loves In-Jokes and this one has plenty. The Anti-War stance (making the Commandos Psychopaths) is a welcome Non-PC take, The "Hero" Gorgomites are the Awkward, Pacifistic Conscientious Objector Types (who hide) and are "Born to Lose".All of these Political and Social Statements are really not that important because the Film is basically an Action Romp, sort of a Toy Story on Steroids. It never fails to be Fun and is a lively, quite visceral Satire on War and Horror Films. The Music Selections are appropriate and the Score manages to arouse.An Underrated "Small Gem" that may have caught Audiences and Critics off guard with its PG-13 Violence and Gruesome Visuals. The Barbie Doll-Bride of Frankenstein Chapter is the most disturbing. Very young and ultra-sensitive Children may be scared.Overall, the Voice Cast is excellent and the CGI and animatronics are superior. The Movie has a Heart that softens the Story just enough to make it rise above the standard Action and Horror. It's an overlooked Film that most likely will remain in the periphery of Cult Films but including it in that Off-Beat Genre would not be a mistake.

A couple of toy developers have the bright idea of putting military computer chips in a new line of toys. Unfortunately, the toy soldiers in question thus become motivated to annihilate a rival range of toys and, if humans get in the way, that's just too bad.Director Joe Dante recycles the plot of his Gremlins movies, only with action figures instead of Mogwais and Gremlins, and the results are much the same - a thoroughly entertaining movie filled with masses of entry-level mayhem. The toys are well designed and brilliantly voiced by a voice cast which is far more star-studded than the solid and reliable, but low-key, human cast.It is perhaps a little violent and intense for the youngest of viewers, but otherwise it is a solidly entertaining family movie.

SMALL SOLDIERS is, essentially, Joe Dante's third GREMLINS film, except that the antagonists aren't gremlins this time around but instead normal, plastic toys who have been brought to life via military technology. It's along the same lines as TOY STORY, which came out at around the same time, but I think the Dante movie has the edge; it's live action, for a start, and the special effects used to animate the soldiers are remarkable.The film goes for a light action-adventure template with plenty of laughs thrown into the mix along the way. Like GREMLINS, there's a lot of small-scale stuff going on here, like fireworks being used as weapons and characters encountering the dangers of garbage disposal units. It's a kid's film, with child actors in the lead roles, but one of those ones that adults are sure to enjoy too.Cast-wise, we're handed decent turns from Gregory Smith (before he won popular attention with EVERWOOD) and Kirsten Dunst (just before she graduated to adult roles in SPIDER-MAN). Elsewhere, we get Denis Leary chewing the scenery as the slimy corporate villain, and Dante lucky charm Dick Miller as an unlucky delivery driver. Best of all are the voice actors hired for the soldiers; they're led by Tommy Lee Jones but boast plenty of veteran talent, including Ernest Borgnine and Frank Langella. Overall, Dante gets the tone just right, leaving this a highly enjoyable family adventure.

*Spoiler/plot- Small Soldiers, 1998. A comedy about a mix-up at a major toy manufacturer's factory that releases 12 inch toy action figures that have amazing capabilities. The mix-up is that military super chips from war weapons have been incorporated into child toys. The toys become intelligent and cause havoc.*Special Stars- Gregory Smith, Kirsten Dunst, Kevin Dunn, Phil Hartman, Ann Magnuson.*Theme- The military's progress is often dangerous or questionable.*Trivia/location/goofs- Funny man Phil Hartman's last film and the film is dedicated to him & his legacy. THe film's director Joe Dante is a huge film fan and his films usually cast the same major actors that have appeared in his past films. Look for familiar actor's faces. Shot at Universal sound stage and Warner Studios ranch for village scenes.*Emotion- A wonderfully clever and interesting film plot that develops some very funny drama involving a family and action figures. I'm a little biased on this point of this review. I worked on the film for many weeks and enjoyed the cast & crew. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CheckingtheGate/message/8.*Based on- Recent toy and military advances in the news media.