Small Soldiers (1998)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Chris W

  
  Joe Dante takes the helm for this movie which is basically a combination of his own film Gremlins with Toy Story, and concerns a bunch of action figures named the Commando Elite (a bunch of stock soldier types) who battle it out in suburbia against their monstrous misfits enemies the… More
  Joe Dante takes the helm for this movie which is basically a combination of his own film Gremlins with Toy Story, and concerns a bunch of action figures named the Commando Elite (a bunch of stock soldier types) who battle it out in suburbia against their monstrous misfits enemies the Gorgonites and some human teens and their families. This is all made possible because of a toy company employee who uses military grade munitions chips as the processor for the toys. It's mostly just a wild and creative action movie, but it's also a fun send up of and tribute to military movies (most of the Commando Elite are voiced by cast members from The Dirty Dozen) as well as a sly and lsight satire of media execs, and that sort of thing. It might seem like a fun family friendly kid's film, but please note that this is NOT a movie for little kids, as it is actually rather subversive, sometimes dark, and a tad intense and creepy. I personally didn't find it to be too intense, but it's kinda like looking at Kindergarten Cop and putting thigns in context. This is a typical story where a geeky kid finds his place in the world, as does his toy counterpart, but the film is quite witty, inventive, and has soem really wel ldone visual effects. Plus, there's a good amount of humor here. The script has it's moments, but the story is admittedly a little thin and mostly a showcase for the visuals and the action. Plus, the film is rather cheesy in it's 90s-ness, but it's still fun and entertaining. All in all, a decent, and fun movie. It's tonally uneven, and not as strong as it could be with the satirical elements, but the cast (voice and live action) are good, and the film is fairly well made, so give it a shot.

• AJ V

  
  No, it's not the first time that toys were brought to life, but that doesn't mean that this film is ripping off any other film. In this one, the toys believe that they have to be at war with one another, which causes the mayhem that ensues. It's really a great movie,… More
  No, it's not the first time that toys were brought to life, but that doesn't mean that this film is ripping off any other film. In this one, the toys believe that they have to be at war with one another, which causes the mayhem that ensues. It's really a great movie, a lot of fun for kids of all ages.

• Michael E

  
  a fantastic and creative plot with great action, acting, drama, and effects, the toy soldiers move fantastically and the ending fight is by far the best scene in the whole film

• Conner R

  
  All kinds of awesome and one of the best demented children's movies around. Joe Dante always knows how to make a movie that can appeal to just about everyone. This takes a very unique premise and makes it even more exciting with chip-enhanced action figures. This is probably… More
  All kinds of awesome and one of the best demented children's movies around. Joe Dante always knows how to make a movie that can appeal to just about everyone. This takes a very unique premise and makes it even more exciting with chip-enhanced action figures. This is probably every kid's dream and worst nightmare, that toys how the power to think, feel and kill. In a lot of ways it's the Toy Story from hell, but to generalize it like that would be a slandering of its good name. Tommy Lee Jones as the unstoppable Chip Hazard and Frank Langella as the child-like mutant alien are only some of the great characters in this.

• KJ P

  
  Toy Story for Grown Ups! It is a well made action version of toy story! Even though I could never come close to toy story, it delivers!

• Dean M

  
  The names of the characters, particularly the Commando-Elite, are pretty good, and worthy of an award of their own. Although some of the animation is a little wooden, that just seemed to add to the whole flavour of the film. It makes witty references to the alikes of… More
  The names of the characters, particularly the Commando-Elite, are pretty good, and worthy of an award of their own. Although some of the animation is a little wooden, that just seemed to add to the whole flavour of the film. It makes witty references to the alikes of <i>Patton</i> and <i>The Terminator</i>, and what a charming creature Archer of Gorgonites is. A sequence involving malevolent Barbie dolls (voice by Sarah Michelle Gellar and Christina Ricci) is a stroke of demented genius.

• A B

  
  Its okay I suppose.

• Justin Y

  
  Toys going to war. An interesting film for kids, but not for kids.<p>The story behind this film is a little over the top, but is entertaining for the most part. The first half of this film is pretty slow and it left me feeling a little bored. I didn't really care for the… More
  Toys going to war. An interesting film for kids, but not for kids.<p>The story behind this film is a little over the top, but is entertaining for the most part. The first half of this film is pretty slow and it left me feeling a little bored. I didn't really care for the first ten minutes either. How the heck is somebody going to order tons of top secret military chips in just a few clicks. I know that you shouldn't take this movie seriously, but that was just a bit too much. The second half of this film is where the movie gets going. For the most part, the commandos are on the attack and causing havoc wherever they go. The second half is definitely where everybody will enjoy the film the most.</p><p>Remember when I mentioned that this is for kids, but not for kids? I meant it. A film about toys coming to life. Reminiscent of <i>Toy Story</i> right? Well, in <i>Toy Story</i> you didn't have toys attacking you with knives, chainsaws, and nail guns. This film, in my opinion, is just a little too violent for the younger audience. Parents, you have been warned.</p><p>The acting is OK at best, considering a bunch of them are comedians. Kirsten Dunst is alright and Gregory Smith does a decent job as the lead. The voices done by Tommy Lee Jones and Frank Langella fit their respective characters well and are nicely done. Keep your ears open for some small voice work from Sarah Michelle Gellar and Christina Ricci.</p><p>One shining point of this film is the CG and animatronics. If toy figures came to life and moved, they would move just like they did in the movie. The CG is also somewhat reminiscent of <i>Toy Story</i>.</p><p>This film does have a unique story, but it may not be for everyone. Use your own judgment before giving this a try.

• Film C

  
  i enojyed it

• Lafe F

  
  A decent war-toy movie that was well done and enjoyable. American Soldier toys develop a flawed programming circuit and start a war against the Alien action figures known as "Gorgonites", which are cute little humanoid creatures. The figure animation is interesting, detailed… More
  A decent war-toy movie that was well done and enjoyable. American Soldier toys develop a flawed programming circuit and start a war against the Alien action figures known as "Gorgonites", which are cute little humanoid creatures. The figure animation is interesting, detailed and cute. The story and scenes are lots of fun. It's got the right stuff.

• Dean !

  
  A great little movie I stumbled across. A bunch of good and bad toy soldiers are battling it out at a family residence. Quite funny and well made.

• xGary X

  
  A kids film that's kind of like a cross between Rambo and Gremlins, I quite liked the way it made the (thinly veiled) US "peace-keeping force" a bunch of mindless bloodthirsty thugs (ooh...subversive!). But Gremlins is still better.

• Jason S

  
  A fun movie for the kids.

• Drew S

  
  Nothing special.

• Luke B

  
  A campy little family action film that delves into the dangers of technology, the pointlessness of war and how it isn't material possessions that make somebody who they are. Good effects for the time and Tommy Lee Jones relishes everyline he has. Moments of brilliant comedy… More
  A campy little family action film that delves into the dangers of technology, the pointlessness of war and how it isn't material possessions that make somebody who they are. Good effects for the time and Tommy Lee Jones relishes everyline he has. Moments of brilliant comedy include using the Spice Girls as psychological warfare. Not for everyone and probably has an age limit, but I still love it.

• Dillon L

  
  I thought this movie was awesome when I was a kid. The premise is thinly plotted, and the social metaphor is too obvious. It is a kids movie, afterall.

• Eduardo T

  
  A kids film with a PG-13 rating? This was my favorite when I was a kid but now not so much. It's fun for kids and maybe some teenagers, considering the rating. This seemed more like a film just to start a toy line to get kids to beg there parents to buy them. Which is what I did… More
  A kids film with a PG-13 rating? This was my favorite when I was a kid but now not so much. It's fun for kids and maybe some teenagers, considering the rating. This seemed more like a film just to start a toy line to get kids to beg there parents to buy them. Which is what I did when I was a kid. They got me one of the action figures and the tank to go with it. The marketing team did a very well job. The best part was probably that we got to see a young Kristen Dunst, which back in the day had no idea who she was. The technical stuff like acting, and writing was all decent. Then again it wasn't meant for adults. And if your an adult and you like these types of films then get therapy. But stepping away from the insults this film was to violent and scary for children. Try watching Toy Story instead.

• Steven V

  
  A very clever animated-live action computer animated film in which the toys come to life and look real. Once the action starts, it's a very interesting story with fun special-effects, some good, funny dialog and some neat references to past films. But, typical Hollywood family in… More
  A very clever animated-live action computer animated film in which the toys come to life and look real. Once the action starts, it's a very interesting story with fun special-effects, some good, funny dialog and some neat references to past films. But, typical Hollywood family in the film that features stupid parents, annoying teens who are too worldly for their age and think they get no respect from their parents. <b>Small Soldiers</b> is good old fashioned.

• Juan C

  
  a family action movie which will deliver nonstop action goods, visual advantages, and a crispy dark fun script. but this being a family movie, don't let that title fool ya. A+

• Lesley N

  
  I love this film. I LOVE this film. Gremlins didn't have psychopathic barbies in it, did it?

Read all 20 featured audience ratings