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'''''Small Soldiers''''' is a 1998 American [[action comedy film]] directed by [[Joe Dante]], written by [[Gavin Scott]], [[Adam Rifkin]], [[Ted Elliott (screenwriter)|Ted Elliott]], and [[Terry Rossio]], and starring [[Kirsten Dunst]], [[Gregory Smith (actor)|Gregory Smith]], [[Jay Mohr]], [[Phil Hartman]], [[Kevin Dunn]], [[Denis Leary]], and the voices of [[Frank Langella]] and [[Tommy Lee Jones]]. It depicts two factions of toys which develop independent personalities after mistakenly being installed with advanced military-level technology in turn putting two families in danger when one faction turns lethal while targeting the other faction.
'''''Small Soldiers''''' is a 1998 American [[action comedy]] film directed by [[Joe Dante]], written by [[Gavin Scott]], [[Adam Rifkin]], [[Ted Elliott (screenwriter)|Ted Elliott]], and [[Terry Rossio]], and starring [[Kirsten Dunst]], [[Gregory Smith (actor)|Gregory Smith]], [[Jay Mohr]], [[Phil Hartman]], [[Kevin Dunn]], [[Denis Leary]], and the voices of [[Frank Langella]] and [[Tommy Lee Jones]]. It depicts two factions of toys which develop independent personalities after mistakenly being installed with advanced military-level technology in turn putting two families in danger when one faction turns lethal while targeting the other faction.


The film was theatrically released on July 10, 1998, by [[DreamWorks Pictures]]. It received mixed reviews from critics and grossed $72 million against a $40 million budget. ''Small Soldiers'' marks the last on-screen film role of [[Phil Hartman]], who was murdered two months before the film's premiere; the film is dedicated to his memory. It was also [[Clint Walker]]'s final film role, prior to his retirement from acting in 1998 and death in 2018.
The film was theatrically released on July 10, 1998, by [[DreamWorks Pictures]] in the United States and by [[Universal Pictures]] in international markets. It received mixed reviews from critics and grossed $72 million against a $40 million budget. ''Small Soldiers'' marks the last on-screen film role of [[Phil Hartman]], who was murdered by his wife two months before the film's premiere; the film is dedicated to his memory. It was also [[Clint Walker]]'s final film role, prior to his retirement from acting in 1998 and death in 2018.


==Plot==
==Plot==
<!-- Please review WP:FILMPLOT guidelines before adding material. The plot summary should be 400-700 words. -->
<!-- Please review WP:FILMPLOT guidelines before adding material. The plot summary should be 400-700 words. -->
When top defense contractor GloboTech Industries acquires the Heartland Toy Company, CEO Gil Mars commissions toy designers Larry Benson and Irwin Wayfair to develop [[smart toy|toys capable of "playing back"]]. Mars selects Larry's "Commando Elite" action figures for the project with Irwin's "Gorgonites"{{snd}}peaceful monsters intended to be [[educational toy]]s{{snd}}as their enemies. Facing a tight deadline of three months to get the toys ready for shipment, Larry unwittingly equips the toys with GloboTech's X1000 [[microprocessor]], which he and Irwin later learns was meant for the [[United States Department of Defense|Department of Defense]].
When top defense contractor GloboTech Industries acquires the Heartland Toy Company, CEO Gil Mars commissions toy designers Larry Benson and Irwin Wayfair to develop [[smart toy|toys capable of "playing back"]]. Mars selects Larry's "Commando Elite" action figures for the project with Irwin's "Gorgonites"{{snd}}peaceful monsters intended to be [[educational toy]]s{{snd}}as their enemies. Facing a tight deadline of three months to get the toys ready for shipment, Larry unwittingly equips the toys with GloboTech's X1000 [[microprocessor]], which he and Irwin later learn was meant for the [[United States Department of Defense|Department of Defense]].


Working at his family's toy store, teenager Alan Abernathy persuades delivery driver Joe to give him a set of the new GloboTech toys, activating Major Chip Hazard, head of the Commando Elite, and Archer, the Gorgonites' leader. Alan develops a crush on his neighbor Christy Fimple, and returns home to discover Archer in his backpack, realizing the toys are self-aware and capable of learning. That night, Chip Hazard activates his comrades to attack the Gorgonites, and Alan finds the store in disarray and the new toys missing. Christy helps clean up and Alan calls GloboTech's customer service line to file a complaint. Larry and Irwin hear his message and discover the X1000 is a military-grade [[artificial intelligence]] chip, susceptible to [[electromagnetic pulse|EMPs]].
Working at his family's toy store, teenager Alan Abernathy persuades delivery driver Joe to give him a set of the new GloboTech toys, activating Major Chip Hazard, head of the Commando Elite, and Archer, the Gorgonites' leader. Alan develops a crush on his neighbor Christy Fimple, and returns home to discover Archer in his backpack, realizing the toys are self-aware and capable of learning. That night, Chip Hazard activates his comrades to attack the Gorgonites, and Alan finds the store in disarray and the new toys missing. Christy helps clean up and Alan calls GloboTech's customer service line to file a complaint. Larry and Irwin hear his message and discover the X1000 is a military-grade [[artificial intelligence]] chip, rejected because it was found to be susceptible to [[electromagnetic pulse|EMPs]].


Following Alan home, the Commando Elite interrogate Archer, but Alan intervenes and is wounded by Nick Nitro whom he partially destroys in the garbage disposal. His parents hear the commotion, but refuse to believe his explanation about the toys. The next day, Alan and Archer find the Gorgonites hiding in the store's dumpster; unlike the militant Commando Elite, the Gorgonites were programmed with Irwin's original friendly and inquisitive personalities, and merely seek their home, which they believe to be in [[Yosemite National Park]] after seeing an image on Alan's computer. Tapping the Abernathys' phone line, the Commando Elite learn of Alan's interest in Christy. Infiltrating her house, they capture her younger brother Timmy, sedate their parents, and use Nick Nitro's AI chip to transform Christy's "Gwendy" fashion dolls into reinforcements. Taking Christy hostage, they demand that Alan surrender the Gorgonites.
Following Alan home, the Commando Elite interrogate Archer, but Alan intervenes and is wounded by Nick Nitro whom he partially destroys in the garbage disposal. His parents hear the commotion, but refuse to believe his explanation about the toys. The next day, Alan and Archer find the Gorgonites hiding in the store's dumpster; unlike the militant Commandos, the Gorgonites were programmed with Irwin's original friendly and inquisitive personalities, and merely seek their home, which they believe to be in [[Yosemite National Park]] after seeing an image on Alan's computer.  


Alan and Archer sneak into the Fimples' house and rescue Christy. The Commando Elite pursue them with improvised vehicles built in the Fimples' garage, but are destroyed in a fiery crash; only Chip Hazard survives. At the Abernathys' house, Alan, Christy, and the Gorgonites try to convince their families of the truth about the toys, and Irwin and Larry arrive to talk to Alan about his voicemail.
Tapping the Abernathys' phone line, the Commandos learn of Alan's interest in Christy. Infiltrating her house, they capture her younger brother Timmy, sedate their parents, and use Nick Nitro's AI chip to transform Christy's "Gwendy" fashion dolls into reinforcements. Taking Christy hostage, they demand that Alan surrender the Gorgonites. Alan and Archer sneak into the Fimples' house and rescue Christy, who helps them fight off the Gwendy dolls. The Commando Elite pursue them with improvised vehicles built in the Fimples' garage, but are destroyed in a fiery crash; only Chip Hazard survives. At the Abernathys' house, Alan, Christy, and the Gorgonites try to convince their families of the truth about the toys, and Irwin and Larry arrive to talk to Alan about his voicemail.  


Chip Hazard arrives with a new army of Commando Elite and more improvised vehicles and weapons, having hijacked a recall shipment driven by Joe, and lays siege to the house, cutting off the electricity. When Irwin suggests an EMP, the group realizes they can overload the nearby power lines. Christy, Irwin, and Larry make their way to the Fimples' house to ensure a larger surge, and the Gorgonites emerge and fight back against the Commando Elite. Climbing the utility pole, Alan is attacked by Chip Hazard, who battles and defeats Archer, but Alan thrusts him into the power transformers as Larry and Irwin wedge open the breakers, triggering the EMP blast and destroying the toys.
Chip Hazard arrives with a new army of Commando Elite and more improvised vehicles and weapons, having hijacked a recall shipment driven by Joe, and lays siege to the house, cutting off the electricity. Christy's father attempts to give away the Gorgonites, but the Commandos reject the offer, making it clear that they now also see humans as enemies. When Irwin suggests an EMP, the group realizes they can overload the nearby power lines. Christy, Irwin, and Larry make their way to the Fimples' house to ensure a larger surge, and the Gorgonites emerge and fight back against the Commandos. Climbing the utility pole, Alan is attacked by Chip Hazard, who battles and defeats Archer, but Alan thrusts him into the power transformers as Larry and Irwin wedge open the breakers, triggering the EMP blast and destroying the toys.


In the morning, as the authorities clean up, Mars arrives and pays off Joe and both families for the damage. He then instructs Larry and Irwin to repurpose the Commando Elite to assist the South American rebels. Alan and Christy start a relationship and he discovers the Gorgonites survived the EMP underneath the Fimples' satellite dish. Alan brings the Gorgonites to Yosemite, sharing a goodbye before sending them off in his father's toy boat to find their home.
In the morning, as the authorities clean up, Mars arrives and pays off Joe and both families for the damage. He then instructs Larry and Irwin to repurpose the Commando Elite to assist the military in fighting South American rebels. Alan and Christy start a relationship and he discovers the Gorgonites survived the EMP underneath the Fimples' satellite dish. Alan brings the Gorgonites to Yosemite, sharing a goodbye before sending them off in his father's toy boat to find their home.


==Cast==
==Cast==
{{div col}}
{{div col}}
* [[Gregory Smith (actor)|Gregory Smith]] as Alan Abernathy, a boy who befriends the Gorgonites
* [[Gregory Smith (actor)|Gregory Smith]] as Alan Abernathy, a boy who befriends the Gorgonites
* [[Kirsten Dunst]] as Christy Fimple, a girl and neighbor who is Alan's love interest
* [[Kirsten Dunst]] as Christy Fimple, Alan's love interest
* [[Jay Mohr]] as Larry Benson, a toy developer at Heartland Toy Company and creator of the Commando Elite
* [[Jay Mohr]] as Larry Benson, a toy developer at Heartland Toy Company and creator of the Commando Elite
* [[Phil Hartman]] as Phil Fimple, the father of Christy who has an obsession with technology
* [[Phil Hartman]] as Phil Fimple, the father of Christy
* [[Kevin Dunn]] as Stuart Abernathy, the temperamental father of Alan and proprietor of a toy store
* [[Kevin Dunn]] as Stuart Abernathy, the temperamental father of Alan
* [[David Cross]] as Irwin Wayfair, a toy developer at Heartland Toy Company and creator of the Gorgonites
* [[David Cross]] as Irwin Wayfair, a toy developer at Heartland Toy Company and creator of the Gorgonites
* [[Ann Magnuson]] as Irene Abernathy, the mother of Alan
* [[Ann Magnuson]] as Irene Abernathy, the mother of Alan
* [[Denis Leary]] as Gil Mars, the CEO of GloboTech Industries
* [[Denis Leary]] as Gil Mars, the CEO of GloboTech Industries
* [[Dick Miller]] as Joe, a delivery truck driver for Heartland Toy Company that later gets "drafted" by Major Chip Hazard who commandeers the Commando Elite on his truck
* [[Dick Miller]] as Joe, a delivery truck driver for Heartland Toy Company
* [[Wendy Schaal]] as Marion Fimple, the mother of Christy
* [[Wendy Schaal]] as Marion Fimple, the mother of Christy
* [[Robert Picardo]] as Ralph Quist, a technician who designed the chips that were placed in the Commando Elite and the Gorgonites
* [[Robert Picardo]] as Ralph Quist, a technician
* [[Jacob Smith (actor)|Jacob Smith]] as Timmy Fimple, the younger brother of Christy
* [[Jacob Smith (actor)|Jacob Smith]] as Timmy Fimple, the younger brother of Christy
* [[Alexandra Wilson]] as Ms. Kegel, the personal assistant of Mars
* [[Alexandra Wilson]] as Ms. Kegel, the personal assistant of Mars
* Jonathan Bouck as Brad, the original boyfriend of Christy
* Jonathan Bouck as Brad, the ex-boyfriend of Christy
* [[Belinda Balaski]] as Neighbor
* [[Belinda Balaski]] as Neighbor
* [[Rance Howard]] as Husband
* [[Rance Howard]] as Husband
* [[Jackie Joseph]] as Wife
* [[Jackie Joseph]] as Wife
{{div col end}}
{{div col end}}
 
===Note===
''Small Soldiers'' was Hartman's last on-screen role before his death. The film is dedicated to his memory.<ref>{{cite news|title=1998's top closing moments|work=[[Fort Worth Star-Telegram]]|date=1998-12-06|page=Arts 1|author=Philpot, Robert}}</ref>
''Small Soldiers'' was Hartman's last on-screen role before his death. The film is dedicated to his memory.<ref>{{cite news|title=1998's top closing moments|work=[[Fort Worth Star-Telegram]]|date=1998-12-06|page=Arts 1|author=Philpot, Robert}}</ref>


===Voice cast===
===Voice cast===
====Gorgonites====
====Gorgonites====
* [[Frank Langella]] as Archer, an emissary of the Gorgonites with a lion-like face and dog-like ears
* [[Frank Langella]] as Archer, an emissary of the Gorgonites
* [[Christopher Guest]] as:
* [[Christopher Guest]] as:
** Scratch-It, a female Gorgonite that resembles a [[frog]]'s head with two legs
** Scratch-It, a female Gorgonite
** Slamfist, a hunchback Gorgonite with a boulder for a left hand and big feet who serves as the muscle for the group
** Slamfist, a Gorgonite  
* [[Michael McKean]] as:
* [[Michael McKean]] as:
** Insaniac, a spinning hyperactive Gorgonite who is the residential problem solver
** Insaniac, a Gorgonite
** Troglokhan/Freakenstein, a navigator for the Gorgonites that was dismantled by the Commando Elite and was put back together by his fellow Gorgonites with misplaced body parts and a damaged radio
** Troglokhan/"Freakenstein", a Gorgonite
* [[Harry Shearer]] as Punch-It, a [[Megacerops|Brontotherium]]-type Gorgonite and advisor of Archer who is friends with Scatch-It while serving as her occasional mode of transportation
* [[Harry Shearer]] as Punch-It, a Gorgonite
 
=====Notes=====
Also featured is Ocula, a one-eyed shy Gorgonite with a long neck and three long legs that can speak in whistles and serves as their lookout.
 
Excluding Langella, the Gorgonites are voiced by cast members from the 1984 film ''[[This Is Spinal Tap]]''.
Excluding Langella, the Gorgonites are voiced by cast members from the 1984 film ''[[This Is Spinal Tap]]''.


====Commando Elite====
====Commando Elite====
* [[Tommy Lee Jones]] as Major Chip Hazard, the [[Platoon leader|Platoon Leader]]
* [[Tommy Lee Jones]] as Major Chip Hazard
* [[Jim Brown]] as Butch Meathook, the [[Sniper]]
* [[Jim Brown]] as Butch Meathook
* [[Ernest Borgnine]] as Kip Killigan, the [[Assassination|assassinating]] [[covert operation]]s expert
* [[Ernest Borgnine]] as Kip Killigan
* [[George Kennedy]] as Brick Bazooka, the [[artillery]] and [[ammunition]] expert
* [[George Kennedy]] as Brick Bazooka,
* [[Clint Walker]] as Nick Nitro, the [[Demolition]]s specialist
* [[Clint Walker]] as Nick Nitro
* [[Bruce Dern]] as Link Static, the [[Communication]]s expert
* [[Bruce Dern]] as Link Static


Excluding Jones and Dern, the Commando Elite are voiced by cast members from the 1967 film ''[[The Dirty Dozen]]''. Dern replaced ''The Dirty Dozen'' actor [[Richard Jaeckel]] who died before shooting began. The film was the last role for Walker before his retirement from acting.
=====Notes=====
Excluding Jones and Dern, the Commando Elite are voiced by cast members from the 1967 film ''[[The Dirty Dozen]]''. Dern replaced ''The Dirty Dozen'' actor [[Richard Jaeckel]], who died before shooting began. The film was the last role for Walker before his retirement from acting.


====Others====
====Others====
* [[Sarah Michelle Gellar]] and [[Christina Ricci]] as the Gwendy Dolls owned by Christy that are animated by the Commando Elite to serve as their reinforcements.
* [[Sarah Michelle Gellar]] and [[Christina Ricci]] as the Gwendy Dolls
* Marcia Mitzman Gavin as Globotech Announcer
* Marcia Mitzman Gavin as Globotech Announcer


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[[Category:1998 films]]
[[Category:1998 films]]
[[Category:1998 action comedy films]]
[[Category:1998 action comedy films]]
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[[Category:1990s science fiction comedy films]]
[[Category:1990s science fiction comedy films]]
[[Category:1990s fantasy comedy films]]
[[Category:1990s fantasy comedy films]]
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[[Category:American satirical films]]
[[Category:1990s English-language films]]
[[Category:1990s English-language films]]
[[Category:1990s American films]]
[[Category:1998 American films]]
[[Category:1998 science fiction films]]
[[Category:1998 science fiction films]]
[[Category:English-language science fantasy films]]
[[Category:English-language science fantasy films]]

Latest revision as of 05:53, 28 December 2025

Template:Short description Script error: No such module "about". Template:Use American English Template:Infobox film/short descriptionScript error: No such module "Infobox".Template:Template otherScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".Expression error: Unrecognized punctuation character "[". Small Soldiers is a 1998 American action comedy film directed by Joe Dante, written by Gavin Scott, Adam Rifkin, Ted Elliott, and Terry Rossio, and starring Kirsten Dunst, Gregory Smith, Jay Mohr, Phil Hartman, Kevin Dunn, Denis Leary, and the voices of Frank Langella and Tommy Lee Jones. It depicts two factions of toys which develop independent personalities after mistakenly being installed with advanced military-level technology in turn putting two families in danger when one faction turns lethal while targeting the other faction.

The film was theatrically released on July 10, 1998, by DreamWorks Pictures in the United States and by Universal Pictures in international markets. It received mixed reviews from critics and grossed $72 million against a $40 million budget. Small Soldiers marks the last on-screen film role of Phil Hartman, who was murdered by his wife two months before the film's premiere; the film is dedicated to his memory. It was also Clint Walker's final film role, prior to his retirement from acting in 1998 and death in 2018.

Plot

When top defense contractor GloboTech Industries acquires the Heartland Toy Company, CEO Gil Mars commissions toy designers Larry Benson and Irwin Wayfair to develop toys capable of "playing back". Mars selects Larry's "Commando Elite" action figures for the project with Irwin's "Gorgonites"Template:Sndpeaceful monsters intended to be educational toysTemplate:Sndas their enemies. Facing a tight deadline of three months to get the toys ready for shipment, Larry unwittingly equips the toys with GloboTech's X1000 microprocessor, which he and Irwin later learn was meant for the Department of Defense.

Working at his family's toy store, teenager Alan Abernathy persuades delivery driver Joe to give him a set of the new GloboTech toys, activating Major Chip Hazard, head of the Commando Elite, and Archer, the Gorgonites' leader. Alan develops a crush on his neighbor Christy Fimple, and returns home to discover Archer in his backpack, realizing the toys are self-aware and capable of learning. That night, Chip Hazard activates his comrades to attack the Gorgonites, and Alan finds the store in disarray and the new toys missing. Christy helps clean up and Alan calls GloboTech's customer service line to file a complaint. Larry and Irwin hear his message and discover the X1000 is a military-grade artificial intelligence chip, rejected because it was found to be susceptible to EMPs.

Following Alan home, the Commando Elite interrogate Archer, but Alan intervenes and is wounded by Nick Nitro whom he partially destroys in the garbage disposal. His parents hear the commotion, but refuse to believe his explanation about the toys. The next day, Alan and Archer find the Gorgonites hiding in the store's dumpster; unlike the militant Commandos, the Gorgonites were programmed with Irwin's original friendly and inquisitive personalities, and merely seek their home, which they believe to be in Yosemite National Park after seeing an image on Alan's computer.

Tapping the Abernathys' phone line, the Commandos learn of Alan's interest in Christy. Infiltrating her house, they capture her younger brother Timmy, sedate their parents, and use Nick Nitro's AI chip to transform Christy's "Gwendy" fashion dolls into reinforcements. Taking Christy hostage, they demand that Alan surrender the Gorgonites. Alan and Archer sneak into the Fimples' house and rescue Christy, who helps them fight off the Gwendy dolls. The Commando Elite pursue them with improvised vehicles built in the Fimples' garage, but are destroyed in a fiery crash; only Chip Hazard survives. At the Abernathys' house, Alan, Christy, and the Gorgonites try to convince their families of the truth about the toys, and Irwin and Larry arrive to talk to Alan about his voicemail.

Chip Hazard arrives with a new army of Commando Elite and more improvised vehicles and weapons, having hijacked a recall shipment driven by Joe, and lays siege to the house, cutting off the electricity. Christy's father attempts to give away the Gorgonites, but the Commandos reject the offer, making it clear that they now also see humans as enemies. When Irwin suggests an EMP, the group realizes they can overload the nearby power lines. Christy, Irwin, and Larry make their way to the Fimples' house to ensure a larger surge, and the Gorgonites emerge and fight back against the Commandos. Climbing the utility pole, Alan is attacked by Chip Hazard, who battles and defeats Archer, but Alan thrusts him into the power transformers as Larry and Irwin wedge open the breakers, triggering the EMP blast and destroying the toys.

In the morning, as the authorities clean up, Mars arrives and pays off Joe and both families for the damage. He then instructs Larry and Irwin to repurpose the Commando Elite to assist the military in fighting South American rebels. Alan and Christy start a relationship and he discovers the Gorgonites survived the EMP underneath the Fimples' satellite dish. Alan brings the Gorgonites to Yosemite, sharing a goodbye before sending them off in his father's toy boat to find their home.

Cast

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Note

Small Soldiers was Hartman's last on-screen role before his death. The film is dedicated to his memory.[1]

Voice cast

Gorgonites

Notes

Excluding Langella, the Gorgonites are voiced by cast members from the 1984 film This Is Spinal Tap.

Commando Elite

Notes

Excluding Jones and Dern, the Commando Elite are voiced by cast members from the 1967 film The Dirty Dozen. Dern replaced The Dirty Dozen actor Richard Jaeckel, who died before shooting began. The film was the last role for Walker before his retirement from acting.

Others

Production

On making the film, director Joe Dante recalled, "Originally I was told to make an edgy picture for teenagers, but when the sponsor tie-ins came in the new mandate was to soften it up as a kiddie movie. Too late, as it turned out, and there are elements of both approaches in there. Just before release it was purged of a lot of action and explosions."[2] As an example of the deleted content, he mentioned that at the end of the movie, the Abernathy's house explodes. The explosion was shot, but the studio did not want to show it on-screen. Dante believes that the studio had hopes that Small Soldiers would be the start of a film series.[3]

For the film's effects shots, Dante stated that the original idea was to use mostly puppets provided by Stan Winston. However, Dante said that while shooting, it was "much simpler and cheaper" to use computer-generated imagery (CGI) after the scenes had been shot, so the film is "one-third puppetry and the rest CGI."[4]

Release

Promotion

In November 1997 (the month Small Soldiers began shooting) DreamWorks partnered with FreeZone, a youth-focused online platform, to create interactive websites for three of its upcoming films: Small Soldiers, Paulie, and Mouse Hunt. Mouse Hunt had completed shooting in July 1997 and would be released in December 1997, while Paulie had finished shooting the previous month and was in post-production, eventually being released in April 1998. The collaboration was intended to serve as an online promotional campaign, with each film receiving its own dedicated site featuring games, film clips, and contests. The website for Mouse Hunt was the first of the three to launch.[5]

Box office

Small Soldiers opened in 2,539 theaters and earned $14 million on its opening weekend, ranking third behind Lethal Weapon 4 and Armageddon.[6] At the end of its theatrical run, the film grossed $55.1 million in the United States and Canada and $16.6 million internationally, totaling in $71.8 million worldwide.[7]

Critical response

On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, Small Soldiers has an approval rating of 52% based on 52 reviews, with an average rating of 6.10/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "Small Soldiers has plenty of visual razzle-dazzle, but the rote story proves disappointingly deficient in director Joe Dante's trademark anarchic spirit."[8] Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "B+" on an A+ to F scale.[9]

Siskel & Ebert gave it Two Thumbs Down on their syndicated TV show. In his print review for The Chicago Sun-Times, Roger Ebert gave the film 2.5 out of 4 stars, saying the core concept was interesting and the effects were exceptionally good, but he was bothered by the fact Small Soldiers was essentially a violent action movie disguised as a family film: "The toys are presented as individuals who can think for themselves [...] For smaller children, this could be a terrifying experience."[10] Caroline Westbrook of Empire gave the film 3 out of 5 stars and said: "It's Gremlins with toy soldiers, except not quite as dark or funny."[11]

Lawsuit

In 2000, filmmaker Gregory P. Grant filed a suit against Steven Spielberg, DreamWorks Pictures and Universal Pictures, alleging that they had infringed on the copyright of his 1990 short film Ode to GI Joe. Grant claimed that he had met with Amblin Entertainment in 1991 to discuss the potential to expand his short film into a full feature. The project went as far as commissioning a treatment from Grant and a 16mm copy of the short film at Spielberg's request but, according to Grant, Amblin dropped the project. However, Grant added that Amblin pushed another film, at the time titled Toy Soldiers, into development nearly a month after Grant's project was passed on. Grant's attorneys stressed that several scenes and ideas from Small Soldiers were too similar and taken outright from Grant's short film and treatment.[12]

Merchandise

A soundtrack containing classic rock blended with hip hop was released on July 7, 1998, by DreamWorks Records. It peaked at 103 on the Billboard 200. The film score was composed and conducted by veteran composer Jerry Goldsmith. In addition, a video game based on the film was developed by DreamWorks Interactive and released by Electronic Arts on September 30, 1998. Kenner Products (a subsidiary of Hasbro) produced a line of toys, which featured the Gorgonites and the Commando Elite.

The 2020 shooter game Hypercharge: Unboxed, developed by Digital Cybercherries, drew inspiration from Small Soldiers. The development team conceived the game's idea while watching the movie on television.[13]

Video games

Four video games were released in 1998:

Film rating controversy

Burger King created a line of kids' meal toys to promote Small Soldiers. They were met with some controversy after the film received a PG-13 rating from the Motion Picture Association of America. Burger King executives claimed this caught the company by surprise as they were led to believe the film would receive no higher than a PG rating. According to Joe Dante, the film received a PG-13 rating due to the scene in which the Commandos put drugs in Phil and Marion's drink. The pamphlet accompanying the toys included the disclaimer "While toys are suitable for children of all ages, the movie Small Soldiers may contain material that is inappropriate for younger children." Some restaurants accepted an exchange for Mr. Potato Head toys.[15][3]

Home media

In North America, the film was released on VHS and DVD in December 1998 by DreamWorks Home Entertainment.[16] During 1999, it also received LaserDisc releases in the US, the UK, France and Japan. All of these non-US LaserDisc releases were handled by Universal Home Entertainment, with the US LaserDisc handled by DreamWorks Home Entertainment.[17]

In February 2006, Viacom (now known as Paramount Skydance) acquired the North American rights to Small Soldiers, along with the rights to all 58 other live-action films DreamWorks had released since 1997, following its $1.6 billion acquisition of the company's live-action film assets and television assets.[18][19] Paramount Home Entertainment released the film on Blu-ray in the US on February 2, 2021.[20] Paramount Home Entertainment then released a 4K Ultra HD steelbook edition on July 25, 2025.[21] In North America, Paramount made the film available on its subscription streaming service Paramount+,[22] as well as on its free streaming service Pluto TV.[23]

Cancelled remake

A remake of Small Soldiers was in development by 20th Century Fox called Toymageddon. The script was purchased in January 2014, and director Justin Lin was set to produce the film. The story was described to be set in a "toy factory that begins to run amok." At that time it was not explicitly stated to be a remake of Small Soldiers.[24]

Due to the acquisition of 21st Century Fox by Disney on March 20, 2019, Disney later in August cancelled the film along with over 200 other projects, which revealed the film was intended as a remake of Small Soldiers.[25][26]

References

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  1. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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  4. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  5. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  6. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1". Template:Open access
  7. ↑ Cite error: Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".
  8. ↑ Template:Cite Rotten Tomatoes
  9. ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
  10. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  11. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  12. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  13. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  14. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  15. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  16. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  17. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  18. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  19. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  20. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  21. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  22. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  23. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  24. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  25. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  26. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".

External links

Template:Sister project

Template:Small Soldiers Script error: No such module "Navbox". Template:Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio

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