Small Soldiers Reviews

1998

Rated:
60
from 5110 members

A toy company believes it is onto something when it employs the latest government military technology in a series of action figures, enabling them to talk. They underestimate the power of the special micro chips they've employed, however, as the two opposing sides of the toy line start thinking for themselves and engaging in .. Read more

Starring	Kirsten Dunst, Jay Mohr, Phil Hartman, Kevin Dunn
Director	Joe Dante
Genres	Action/Adventure, Thriller

Sign up Small Soldiers DVD

Buy from LOVEFiLM Shop

Critics' reviews (6) of Small Soldiers
View all
Action Man-type figures fitted with deadly microprocessors go on menacing manoeuvres in this Gremlins-meets-Toy Story war fantasy from director Joe Dante, which takes a long time setting up its simple premise but is worth the wait. The movie's slick professionalism and technical brilliance keep the awkward mixture of mirth and mayhem from becoming too uncomfortable an experience. Crafty nods to classic war films such as Patton, the creepy Gwendy doll sequence and the GI Joes being voiced by the likes of Tommy Lee Jones, Ernest Borgnine and Bruce Dern also help maintain the interest for adults as well as youngsters. Yet this mix of technology-run-amok and children's nightmare sometimes takes belief a bridge too far.
- Radio Times
- Posted 29 Jan 2006
A quirky satire on militarism and big business, overwhelmed by its own technological prowess in creating lifelike toys that caricature a liking for violence.
- Halliwell's Film Guide
- Posted 02 Mar 2006
This gung-ho kids' flick blends live action with computer-generated imagery to arrive at Toy Story with a body count -... read more on Time Out
- Time Out
- Posted 04 Nov 2008
Most helpful members' reviews (3) of Small Soldiers
View all
4 out of 5 people found this review helpful

Surprisingly violent

Not violent in a blood-spattered way, but if you're expecting something like Toy Story, be warned. The plot's fairly straightforward - over-engineered toys go on the rampage after getting military chips put into them.

I was expecting something a bit watered down and kid-friendly, but was pleasantly surprised - this is rated 12 but must have skated relatively close to a 15, especially towards the end when the 'good' toys and some people are trapped in a house by the war-mongering toys, being attacked by a variety of fairly lethal weaponry.

Acting and effects are up to scratch - nice to see the late great Phil Hartman in person, rather than just hearing his voice (he was a regular in the Simpsons until his untimely death in 1998). The traditional 'no-one believes the kid' plot is kept to a minimum too, which is always good.

Overall, definitely worth a watch, but it does get relatively intense towards the end (note 'relatively' - won't give adults nightmares, but some children might not be happy).
- - Jon Sandys from Woking, UK
  - Posted 12 Aug 2004 03:35
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful

small soldiers

quite entertaining for a movie about dolls. Enjoyed
- - A customer from edinburgh
  - Posted 10 Nov 2005 14:50
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

Boys toys

My son loves this film. Great for boys, my daughter was not so keen.

Basically 'Action Man' meets 'Toy Story' and a battle ensues.
- - A customer from West Midlands
  - Posted 21 Jan 2005 19:59
Most recent members' reviews (2) of Small Soldiers
View all
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

Boys toys

My son loves this film. Great for boys, my daughter was not so keen.

Basically 'Action Man' meets 'Toy Story' and a battle ensues.
- - A customer from West Midlands
  - Posted 21 Jan 2005 19:59
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful

small soldiers

quite entertaining for a movie about dolls. Enjoyed
- - A customer from edinburgh
  - Posted 10 Nov 2005 14:50

4 out of 5 people found this review helpful

Surprisingly violent

Not violent in a blood-spattered way, but if you're expecting something like Toy Story, be warned. The plot's fairly straightforward - over-engineered toys go on the rampage after getting military chips put into them.

I was expecting something a bit watered down and kid-friendly, but was pleasantly surprised - this is rated 12 but must have skated relatively close to a 15, especially towards the end when the 'good' toys and some people are trapped in a house by the war-mongering toys, being attacked by a variety of fairly lethal weaponry.

Acting and effects are up to scratch - nice to see the late great Phil Hartman in person, rather than just hearing his voice (he was a regular in the Simpsons until his untimely death in 1998). The traditional 'no-one believes the kid' plot is kept to a minimum too, which is always good.

Overall, definitely worth a watch, but it does get relatively intense towards the end (note 'relatively' - won't give adults nightmares, but some children might not be happy).
- - Jon Sandys from Woking, UK
  - Posted 12 Aug 2004 03:35
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful

small soldiers

quite entertaining for a movie about dolls. Enjoyed
- - A customer from edinburgh
  - Posted 10 Nov 2005 14:50
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

Boys toys

My son loves this film. Great for boys, my daughter was not so keen.

Basically 'Action Man' meets 'Toy Story' and a battle ensues.
- - A customer from West Midlands
  - Posted 21 Jan 2005 19:59
2 out of 4 people found this review helpful

too scary for mine

Ordered this for my 6 year old but had to turn it off as he found it too scary! Wasn't watching it myself so can't comment from a parent angle.
- - A customer from Somerset, England
  - Posted 27 Jan 2006 18:57
For both adults and children to enjoy

I've seen this film with my eldest who is now 15. We watched it again with his brothers and sisters. Once again this film had us watching right to the very end.

Fantastic story and excellent characters.

I would highly recommend this to adults and children.
- - Deborah Miller from Arbroath, Angus, Scotland
  - Posted 31 Dec 2006 18:41
A bit average

I did enjoy the film most of the time, a couple of times I found it dragged a little bit. I probably wouldn't allow younger children to watch this, perhaps from the age of 10 upwards may be more suitable.
- - A customer from Leicester, England
  - Posted 20 Feb 2007 23:28
SMALL SOLDIERS GREAT CHILDREN'S ENTERTAINMENT.

In this film the toys come to life, aimed at the younger generation 'Small Soldiers' offers great entertainment. Special Effects are super and everything looks so realistic. Keeps the children happy.
- - Cornetto from Lancaster
  - Posted 21 May 2007 20:01
small soldiers

grate fun for the kid on a sunday afternoon
- - A customer from Nottingham
  - Posted 12 Jun 2008 15:24
small solders!

quite good kids movie! my son loved it!
- - yoda from Newcastle Emlyn
  - Posted 17 Jun 2009 21:26
0 out of 1 person found this review helpful

enjoyable.

i thought that the talking toys and the way they were fighting each other might scare my youngest, however the affect was quite the opposite.

both my children lover this movie and i did also.
- - James#50 from MARCH
  - Posted 21 Feb 2004 16:51

< Prev
1
2
Next >

Critics' reviews (6)
Action Man-type figures fitted with deadly microprocessors go on menacing manoeuvres in this Gremlins-meets-Toy Story war fantasy from director Joe Dante, which takes a long time setting up its simple premise but is worth the wait. The movie's slick professionalism and technical brilliance keep the awkward mixture of mirth and mayhem from becoming too uncomfortable an experience. Crafty nods to classic war films such as Patton, the creepy Gwendy doll sequence and the GI Joes being voiced by the likes of Tommy Lee Jones, Ernest Borgnine and Bruce Dern also help maintain the interest for adults as well as youngsters. Yet this mix of technology-run-amok and children's nightmare sometimes takes belief a bridge too far.
- Radio Times
- Posted 29 Jan 2006
A quirky satire on militarism and big business, overwhelmed by its own technological prowess in creating lifelike toys that caricature a liking for violence.
- Halliwell's Film Guide
- Posted 02 Mar 2006
This gung-ho kids' flick blends live action with computer-generated imagery to arrive at Toy Story with a body count -... read more on Time Out
- Time Out
- Posted 04 Nov 2008
"...The voice talent here is extraordinary....The figures themselves are impressive accomplishments..."
- New York Times
- Posted 11 Mar 2005
"...First-rate special effects..."
- USA Today
- Posted 11 Mar 2005
"...Striking effects..."
- Sight and Sound
- Posted 11 Mar 2005

Buy from the LOVEFiLM shop

- - Buy
- Small Soldiers
  
  A toy company believes it is onto something when it employs the latest government military technology in a series of action figures, enabling them to talk. They underestimate the power of the special micro chips they've employed, however, as the two opposing sides of the toy line start thinking for ...