Small Soldiers
When missile technology is used to enhance toy action figures, the toys soon begin to take their battle programming too seriously.
What critics thought
Small Soldiers landed with mixed reviews in 1998, with critics largely agreeing that its technical effects impressed but that Joe Dante's usually subversive edge was missing. The film reads more like a polished blockbuster product than the gleefully anarchic work Dante fans expected, leaving it in an awkward middle ground — too intense for young children, too formulaic to satisfy adults looking for sharper satire.
“The toys are presented as individuals who can think for themselves, and there are believable heroes and villains among them. For smaller children, this could be a terrifying experience.”
Roger Ebert·rogerebert
“It's Gremlins with toy soldiers, except not quite as dark or funny.”
Caroline Westbrook·Empire
Genres
Comedy, Adventure, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Action
Cast & Crew
Joe DanteDirector
Gregory SmithAlan Abernathy
Kirsten DunstChristy Fimple
Denis LearyGil Mars
Phil HartmanPhil Fimple
David CrossIrwin Wayfair
Jay MohrLarry Benson
Kevin DunnStuart Abernathy
Ann MagnusonIrene Abernathy
Wendy SchaalMarion Fimple
Jacob SmithTimmy Fimple
Tommy Lee JonesChip Hazard (voice)
Frank LangellaArcher (voice)
Jerry GoldsmithComposer
Ted ElliottWriter
Terry RossioWriter
Gavin ScottWriter
Adam RifkinWriter
Jamie AndersonCinematographyFrom the studio
Small Soldiers
When missile technology is used to enhance toy action figures, the toys soon begin to take their battle programming too seriously.
What critics thought
Small Soldiers landed with mixed reviews in 1998, with critics largely agreeing that its technical effects impressed but that Joe Dante's usually subversive edge was missing. The film reads more like a polished blockbuster product than the gleefully anarchic work Dante fans expected, leaving it in an awkward middle ground — too intense for young children, too formulaic to satisfy adults looking for sharper satire.
“The toys are presented as individuals who can think for themselves, and there are believable heroes and villains among them. For smaller children, this could be a terrifying experience.”
Roger Ebert·rogerebert
“It's Gremlins with toy soldiers, except not quite as dark or funny.”
Caroline Westbrook·Empire
Genres
Comedy, Adventure, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Action
Cast & Crew
Joe DanteDirectorGregory SmithAlan AbernathyKirsten DunstChristy FimpleDenis LearyGil MarsPhil HartmanPhil FimpleDavid CrossIrwin WayfairJay MohrLarry BensonKevin DunnStuart AbernathyAnn MagnusonIrene AbernathyWendy SchaalMarion FimpleJacob SmithTimmy FimpleTommy Lee JonesChip Hazard (voice)Frank LangellaArcher (voice)Jerry GoldsmithComposerTed ElliottWriterTerry RossioWriterGavin ScottWriterAdam RifkinWriterJamie AndersonCinematography