The Wasteland Reviewer

The Wasteland Review Request: Small Soldiers (1998)

How many amazing fantasies have you had with toys when you were growing up? Playing is one of the most important elements of developing imagination for a child in those formative years. Those toys can act as a conduit for all the creative juices churning inside your little mind. Plenty of films have explored this creative connection and a film like Toy Story took this concept to a whole new level…what if those toys came to life on their own? But there was one other 90s film that took that idea to a whole new extreme. Small Soldiers explored the horrific potential of those toys coming to life but having dangerous motivations as well.

What does beloved genre filmmaker Joe Dante bring to the table with Small Soldiers? Dante is known for having a sarcastic lean and a dark edge to his films and that is not missed in his directorial effort here. There is plenty of humor throughout the film including some dark jokes that you certainly would not get in your younger years. The film also does not pull punches when it comes to its inventive action. Those toys really know how to make the most of household goods and tools to create some destructive weapons. There are plenty of fun and thrilling action beats and the human characters certainly don’t get out unscathed (nor do the vast majority of the Commando Elite). But the biggest element of the film that needed to work was the effects that went into creating these toys. There is a nice mix of practical animatronics and CGI to bring the unhinged toy action to life. Those effects honestly hold up quite well for a film that is almost 30 years old. The film never really takes itself too seriously (which is a sign of that Dante charm) but it does have plenty of legitimate thrills to enjoy along the way.

Does this screenplay match Dante’s energy to deliver a thrilling ride? There are certainly plenty of layers to the film as it tackles technological advancements as well as the morality of technology. First off, the greedy capitalistic drive to take moral risks to make money is certainly the lynch pin of the whole film. If corporate pressure was not present, a morality flexible employee would never have sought after military grade technology to bring these toys to life. There is also an interesting dynamic between the films main neighboring families with one representing a more traditional love and passion for life which is in stark contrast to the big tech neighbor who is willing to cut down a beautiful tree to get the most out of his new cable dish. There is also a deep-seated conflict between two groups of toys with one being an aggressive and violent military force and the other being a nature loving and passive crew of “monsters”. Dante was never going to deliver a film that was lacking in depth and thought and that benefits Small Soldiers well.

But does the story live up to the rest of the thematic work? The actual narrative is probably the most basic element of the film. A series of desperate individuals keep making risky decisions that lead to the unleashing of these dangerous toys. The protagonist is a quiet and misunderstood young man who has feelings for the perfect girl next door who loves rock music, can handle herself, and is “too cool for school”. The neighborly conflict between their families helps add even more conflict to a film that has plenty between these warring toy crews. The film feels a little overstuffed, especially when you get to the climax when you realize just home many characters come together to fight off this horde of rogue Commando Elite. Luckily, Dante and the screenwriters give the film plenty of space to deliver the action and effects-driven genre elements, which are the reason why the audience is there (not the teenage romance at the core of the film). The relationship between our protagonist Alan and the Gorgonites is quite endearing at least and makes some of the quieter moments quite enjoyable. The endless cinematic references and jokes can feel a bit much but for the cinephiles in the audience might just eat them up (like Chip Hazard giving his “Patton” speech).

With such a large cast of talent, does this ensemble elevate this already effective and thrilling experience? The most important part of the cast is the group of voice actors who they got to bring these toys to life. There was an inspired choice to bring in the cast of This is Spinal Tap to voice all the Gorgonites and surviving members of The Dirty Dozen cast for the Commando Elite. The impressive voiceover talents of Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, and Harry Shearer give each of the Gorgonite characters some semblance of personality and presence. Frank Langella, as Archer, their leader, brings plenty of presence and warmth to a strong and compassionate leader. Tommy Lee Jones was pitch perfect as the tough-as-nails and ruthless leader of the Commando Elite. The voice work of Jim Brown, George Kennedy, Ernest Borgnine, and Clint Walker are so masculine and sturdy that they make these unhinged and dangerous commandos come to life. Gregory Smith is earnest enough in his portrayal as Alan, but Kirsten Dunst is so charismatic and authentic as his neighborly crush. Phil Hartman is one of the live action performance standouts with his unique and electric comedic energy. Kevin Dunn, David Cross, Jay Mohr, Dick Miller, and Dennis Leary are all nice additions to the film as well (some of which really reinforce that 90s feel to the film).

Is Small Soldiers a 90s gem worth seeking out? This might not be the freshest and most dynamic of narratives but there are plenty of interesting ideas explored with such an interesting concept. Dante’s direction gives the film a nice edge and plenty of personality. There are plenty of memorable and thrilling action and genre beats that capture some inventive and creative elements. The cast is quite impressive from top to bottom. Enjoy the wild action beats and killer soundtrack…this is a thrill ride that is hard to deny.

Special thanks to Jess Conto for nominating Small Soldiers (1998).