Small Soldiers (1998)

Very best movie i ever watch

everything you have heard about this movie is true.

A Major Disappointment

When a movie has you begging for it to end not even half way through it's pure crap. We've all seen this movie and this characters millions of times, nothing new in it. Don't waste your time.

Among my several gauges for a movie, entertain me is always first...and Small Soldiers does exactly that. Certainly it is sort of a dumb fantasy film, but the plot is presented in such a way that you really can't help but like it, heh heh...First of all, a toy company CEO wants to amaze kids by presenting a mechanized line of interactive action figures. The production team wants to use smart chips to make them lifelike, but the CEO ok's the purchase of some military grade rejected smart chips...the fun starts immediately after they are inserted into a first production run of (pretty raunchy) soldier commando types, while the "nice" chips go into the fantasy "Gorgonites", a group of figures straight out of fantasyland, heh heh...I won't narrate the whole movie, but frankly is you want a diversion that is fun and vaguely morality driven at the same time, look this one up...it is definitely fun...

1. This is one of those movies I watched as a kid and enjoyed now for nostalgia purposes. I think the DVD I watched this on was one of the first DVDs ever made.2. Top notch casting, even if some of the voice acting doesn't have the heft of Inside Out or The Lion King. Tommy Lee Jones aces it as Major Chip Hazard.3. Add a star for the Patton spoof where Chip Hazard recites every single cliché American speech line and turns it into the most patriotic speech ever made.4. The screenplay never takes itself too seriously but at the same time doesn't feel cheesy. Its a tough balance to walk for a movie about killer army men, but they handle it well.5. Its a delight to see Phil Hartman on film (his final screen appearance). Of the on-screen cast, Kirsten Dunst charms the audience easily as Christy and Kevin Dunn makes a mark as Alan's father. Gregory Smith is adequate as the film's protagonist Alan, playing him as a T2- era John Connor. Ann Magnusson has a very memorable moment towards the end with a tennis racket.6. Dennis Leary absolutely owns the entire screen as Gil Mars. I don't use that phrase lightly, but when Leary is on screen the whole movie is elevated dramatically. It is a Velma Kelly level of screen presence.7. The love story between Alan and Christy is goofy. Her boyfriend is barely an obstacle because she doesn't seem to even like him that much. She flirts with Alan in the same breath as saying that she only dates older boys.8. The battle sequences are fantastic, a great blend of practical effects and CGI. The use of standard house tools and items somehow raises the stakes to an incredible level.9. Its a great family movie but above all else it is just a delightful movie to sit down and watch. Certainly above average in all respects.

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.

Small Soldiers (1998): Dir: Joe Dante / Cast: Gregory Smith, Kirsten Dunst, Jay Mohr, Denis Leary, Dick Miller: Plays like an evil counterpart to Toy Story and no more acceptable to children than The Terminator. We witness a boy climbing hydro lines. We see flames and sharp objects hurled at a home. Kirsten Dunst is attacked and tied up by an army of naked dolls. Visually stunning film regarding smaller factors triumphant over big challenges. Plot regards action figures that learn through battery efficiency. There is the ugly yet peaceful Gorgonites who search for their home land while avoiding the vicious Commandos. They are discovered by a boy left in charge of his father's store but eventually they escape. Setup displays how violence is marketed but it is ugly. Directed by Joe Dante who also made Gremlins for which this film is quite similar. The difference is that Gremlins contained engaging characters and a lesson of responsibility while Small Soldiers is just plain violent with characters at the mercy of bad writing. Gregory Smith nearly electrocuted in power lines. Dunst slices Commandos via lawn tractor. Jay Mohr and Denis Leary appear as manufacturers who play off the marketing theme. Dick Miller is a Dante regular but not given a role as interesting as Mr. Futterman in Gremlins. The special effects are on target but for children, it is recommend the superior Toy Story. Score: 3 / 10