Why Small Soldiers Is the Underrated ’98 Movie You Need to Rewatch Now

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1998’s science fiction comedy film titled “Small Soldiers” initially had a minimal impact on both box office returns and popular culture, but it is certainly worthy of a resurgence in public awareness 27 years after its release. In this movie, a toy manufacturer introduces a new line of action figures called the Commando Elite, along with their supposedly monstrous yet benign adversaries, the Gorgonites. Unbeknownst to everyone, these toys were secretly equipped with a military microprocessor chip that makes them animate. When a batch of Commandos and Gorgonites are shipped early to a small local toy store, young Alan Abernathy (Gregory Smith) finds himself in the midst of a struggle to safeguard his family, new friend Christy Fimple (Kirsten Dunst), and the peaceful Gorgonites from the Commandos, while also helping them find their way back to their home planet, Gorgon.

Approximately three decades since its premiere, the film “Small Soldiers” carries an endearing, retro feel reminiscent of ’80s children’s movies, directed by the renowned Joe Dante, who also helmed “Gremlins.” The voice talents of Tommy Lee Jones as Command Elite leader Chip Hazard and Frank Langella as Gorgonite emissary Archer lend a sincere, gripping, and humorous tone to the miniature war portrayed in the film. Despite not being a box office sensation upon its release, “Small Soldiers” remains notable today due to its distinctive charm akin to Amblin Entertainment productions and several other unique qualities it possesses within its toy collection.

Small Soldiers Is Chucky For Younger Audiences

When considering a “scary story,” it doesn’t take much for the idea of toys becoming sentient and attacking their creators to pop up. The Child’s Play series, known as one of the most chilling killer toy horror franchises, has haunted viewers with the narrative of serial killer Charles Lee Ray (Brad Dourif), who transfers his soul into a Good Guy doll, then continues his murderous rampage as the menacing Chucky, the plastic slasher villain. Although the Child’s Play series is unapologetically R-rated, Small Soldiers provides a similar killer toy experience in a more accessible PG-13 format.

In “Small Soldiers,” the Elite Commandos are undeniably portrayed as formidable, yet the destruction they cause is significantly less brutal compared to Chucky’s gruesome, gory murders. The Commandos abduct and confine numerous innocent individuals, even using a bottle of sleeping pills to knock out Christy and Timmy’s (Jacob Smith) parents, but none of the human characters meet their end at the hands of the Commandos in “Small Soldiers.” This aspect of the movie makes it an appealing, child-friendly adaptation of the Chucky formula, where toys come alive to create chaos. The film manages to keep the mayhem under control enough to provide PG-13-level excitement and suspense.

Small Soldiers Is Toy Story For Older Audiences

From another perspective, “Small Soldiers” offers a unique charm for both teenagers and adults, presenting a more mature interpretation of the “Toy Story” concept. Unlike the Disney-Pixar “Toy Story” series, which centers around living toys as main characters, it operates within a framework that is family-friendly but less juvenile. While Sid Phillips (Erik von Detten) in “Small Soldiers” destroys his toys with exaggerated excitement, the “Toy Story” series avoids anything too intense or frightening in the escapades of Woody, Buzz Lightyear, and their toy companions. This approach has undoubtedly helped build a four-quadrant audience for “Toy Story”, earning billions at the box office, but “Small Soldiers” introduces an element that “Toy Story” largely avoids – danger not only to toys but also to humans.

In the movie ‘Small Soldiers’, the Commando Elite are ruthless and intent on annihilating the Gorgonites. They won’t hesitate to trample on anyone who dares to obstruct them, placing both human and Gorgonite characters in grave peril. Despite ‘Small Soldiers’ only pushing its violence to the brink of fatality without surpassing it, the Commandos suffer frequent violent deaths, ranging from garbage disposals to power transformers.

The competition between the Commandos and the Gorgonites resembles the rivalry between Woody and Buzz in the original “Toy Story,” as well as other toy conflicts within the “Toy Story” series, but with a twist: the Commandos are actually seeking Gorgonite blood. Although “Toy Story” chose family-friendly storytelling that was perfect for its audience, “Small Soldiers” amps up the living toys concept to attract teenagers and adults who prefer a more intense version of this theme.

Small Soldiers Feels More Relevant Today Thanks To A.I.

Over the past several years, it’s hard not to notice that AI (artificial intelligence) is everywhere in today’s world and technology. Some stories portray this as a looming disaster while others view it as a tool with great potential. Regardless of the perspective, AI is a hot topic in the contemporary news. This is why the movie “Small Soldiers” feels surprisingly relevant with its portrayal of AI playing a crucial role in bringing the Commando Elite and Gorgonites to life.

The scene in which toys come alive as portrayed in “Small Soldiers” can resemble common discussions during business meetings, where Mars pushes for the creation of intelligent toys that not only exist but also react to play. In essence, these are toys that perform exactly as shown in advertisements. The film “Small Soldiers” centers around the theme of using Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a means to boost profits, regardless of the consequences. A rash decision made by Larry to incorporate military-grade microprocessors into Commandos and Gorgonites results in AI-controlled miniature versions of the Terminator, driven solely by corporate greed to increase profits without considering the broader implications.

As we watch “Small Soldiers” today, it’s fascinating to see how far advanced AI has come since the 21st century. The film serves as a warning about the potential dangers and consequences of unchecked AI development while still offering an entertaining blend of science fiction for both children and adults.

1998’s “Small Soldiers” might not have been a box office sensation, but revisiting it after 25 years reveals more than just a charming popcorn flick. It’s strangely prescient in its exploration of artificial intelligence and the cautionary tale of thoughtful implementation. The film manages to encapsulate elements of a PG-13 “Child’s Play” and a PG-13 “Toy Story,” which is an impressive feat that “Small Soldiers” hasn’t received enough recognition for. Looking back now, it’s clear that “Small Soldiers” stands as a surprising milestone in the genre of movies where toys mysteriously gain life.

Small Soldiers is available to stream on MGM+.

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2025-04-21 01:40