Small Soldiers (1998)

Note Générale:

5,9/10   

Réalisateur:

Joe Dante

Scénaristes (WGA):

Gavin Scott (written by) and
Adam Rifkin (written by) ...

Date de sortie:

10 juillet 1998 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Aventure | Comedie | Famille | Science-Fiction

Accroche:

The few, the proud, and the small.

Intrigue:

When missile technology is used to enhance toy action figures, the toys soon begin to take their battle programming too seriously.

Plot Keywords:

Toy | Computer | Action Figure | Military | Battle

Récompenses:

2 wins & 4 nominations

Avis des utilisateurs:

These toys are terminators!! Watch out, Arnold!!

Ensemble

David Cross	...	Irwin Wayfair
Jay Mohr	...	Larry Benson
Alexandra Wilson	...	Ms. Kegel
Denis Leary	...	Gil Mars
Gregory Smith	...	Alan Abernathy
Dick Miller	...	Joe
Kirsten Dunst	...	Christy Fimple
Jacob Smith	...	Timmy Fimple
Jonathan Bouck	...	Brad (as Jonathan David Bouck)
Kevin Dunn	...	Stuart Abernathy
Ann Magnuson	...	Irene Abernathy
Wendy Schaal	...	Marion Fimple
Phil Hartman	...	Phil Fimple
Archie Hahn	...	Satellite Dish Installer
Robert Picardo	...	Ralph, Clean Room Technician

Autre(s) titre(s):

The Commando Elite (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for some menacing action/violence and brief drug references.

Durée:

108 min | USA:110 min

Pays:

USA

Langue:

Anglais

Couleur:

Couleur (Technicolor)

Rapport de forme:

2,35 : 1

Son:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Classification:

Philippines:G | Canada:G (Quebec) | Canada:PG (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Ontario) | Iceland:L | South Korea:12 | Argentina:Atp | Australia:PG | Chile:TE | Finland:K-12/9 | France:U | Germany:12 (w) | Ireland:15 | Netherlands:AL | Norway:11 | Portugal:M/12 | Sweden:11 | Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) | UK:PG | USA:PG-13 | Singapore:PG

Lieux de tournage:

Columbia/Warner Bros. Ranch - 411 N. Hollywood Way, Burbank, California, USA

Société:

Universal Pictures

Anecdotes:

The piranha fish next to Alan's computer is a reference to Piranha (1978), also directed by Joe Dante.

Goofs:

Equipe ou équipement visible: When Christy Fimple and Alan are in his father's toy store after the Commandos destroyed it you can see a crew member's in the reflection of one the display cases.

Guillemet:

Ralph, Clean Room Technician: The chips are a little sensitive to EMP.
Irwin Wayfair: EMP?
Ralph, Clean Room Technician: Electomagnetic Pulse. As in the kind generated by the detonation of a nuclear device? I doubt that the toy industry has become quite that competitive.

Connexions:

Parodies Apocalypse Now (1979)

Bande son:

War

These toys are terminators!! Watch out, Arnold!!

These action toys are never at a loss for a sharp quip or a fast jab and keep things humming merrily along in a film the kiddies should love. The toy soldiers steal the film from the adults--not too much of a chore since the main roles are strictly nondescript. But once the toys start to show some sign of life, the film moves along at a fast clip with some funny references to other films--notably Franz Waxman's "Bride of Frankenstein" music used for a portion where one of the Commandos cries: "It's alive! It's alive!"

Gregory Smith as the trouble-making teen and Kirsten Dunst as his girl-friend are pleasing enough. Phil Hartman has an inauspicious supporting role as her father. But it's the voice talent of Tommy Lee Jones as Major Chip Hazard and Frank Langella as Archer (leader of the Gorgonites) that provide the most entertaining moments as they give life to the toy figures.

If you can suspend your disbelief long enough to absorb the silly premise of the story, you'll have a good time. Kids will probably be fascinated by the lifelike figures and adults might find it all highly amusing despite the silliness of the basic plot.

All the production values and special effects are first class. Some scary fun and some clever lines all the way through. Not bad. And kudos to Jerry Goldsmith for a lively and pleasing background score. Once they punch their way out of their wrappings, these toys are terminators!!