...for all its shortcomings, the end result is quite entertaining.
Small Soldiers (1998)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:40
Fresh:19
Rotten:21
Average Rating:6.2/10
Runtime: 1 hr 50 mins
Genre: Comedies
Synopsis: 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... 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 real combat. The Commando Elite (belligerent war toys) vow to wipe out the Gorgonites (kindhearted misfit fantasy creature figures) in a suburban neighborhood. A young boy, with the help of the kind Gorgonites, must protect his home and family from the Commandos. Listen for the voices of Spinal Tap (Mike McKean, Chris Guest, and Harry Shearer) as Gorgonite Voices as well as Sarah Michelle Gellar and Christina Ricci (as the voices of evil, mutated Barbie dolls). [More]
Starring: Kirsten Dunst, Phil Hartman, Gregory Edward Smith, Jay Mohr
Starring: Kirsten Dunst, Phil Hartman, Gregory Edward Smith, Jay Mohr, Denis Leary, Kevin Dunn, Ann Magnuson, David Cross, Dick Miller, Tommy Lee Jones, Frank Langella, Ernest Borgnine, Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, Harry Shearer, Jim Brown, Bruce Dern, George Kennedy, Clint Walker, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Christina Ricci
Director: Joe Dante
Director: Joe Dante
Screenwriter: Gavin Scott, Adam Rifkin, Terry Rossio, Ted Elliott
Producer: Michael Finnell, Colin Wilson
Composer: Jerry Goldsmith
Reviews for Small Soldiers
Stan Winston's miniature and CGI effects are wonderful, but they can't conceal an obviously weak script in what is unfortunately a footnote to Dante's better work.
The animation is excellent, and the voice cast alone is worth the price of admission...
I can't think of a Hollywood entertainment I've enjoyed as much all year, and both audiences I saw the movie with seemed delighted as well.
What bothered me most about Small Soldiers is that it didn't tell me where to stand--what attitude to adopt.
...aside from some funny puns (most of which have already been spoiled by the TV spots) and some pop-culture references that no child and most adults won't understand, Small Soldiers just isn't funny enough.
G.I. Joe goes ballistic in Dante's smart, witty hybrid of Toy Story and his own Gremlins.
A charmless and often mean-spirited 'kids' movie' that no kid under eight should be taken to see.
It looks like the movie was edited down from a much meaner version, to our loss.
Latest News for Small Soldiers
October 11, 2005:
Filmmaker to Wear Multiple Hats on Prehistoric "Erectus"
Filmmaker Adam Rifkin will write, direct, and star in the caveman comedy "Homo Erectus," says The Hollywood Reporter. Any similarities to films starring Ringo Starr... More...
April 27, 2005:
Courteney Cox to "Zoom" into Superhero Flick
Variety brings news of the next project for former "Friends" star Courtney Cox. The blue-eyed beauty will co-star opposite Tim Allen in "Zoom," a superhero... More...
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