Small Soldiers (PG-13, 1998)

In this action-packed film, toy soldiers, enhanced with top-secret military computer chips, go to war in a suburban neighborhood, threatening human children and adults in the process. A ruthless corporate CEO (Dennis Leary) takes over a toy and produces two lines of action figures based on military technology. The Gorgonites are peaceful if depressed aliens programmed to lose, and the Commando Elite is programmed to destroy them. The toys use smart weapons chips, which enable them to learn. Alan, the son of a failing toyshop owner, befriends the Gorgonites, which puts him, Christy (the cute girl next door), and their families in harm's way. The Commandos fashion effective weapons and machines out of tools and appliances they find in Alan's garage. In the ensuing all-out war, the Commandos drug Christy's parents, tie up her brother, kidnap Christy, and destroy Alan's house before they are wiped out by an electromagnetic pulse generated when Alan climbs a power pole and short-circuits the transformers.

SMALL SOLDIERS is suspenseful and exciting, after a surprisingly long and unevenly paced introduction. But this movie contains a level of violence that would earn it an R rating if most of the victims weren't toys. The lengthy climactic battle will have boys in the target age group cheering, while the topical humor (the send up of Barbies is wicked) and allusions to other movies will keep older teens and adults interested. The special effects are amazing and integrated seamlessly with the live actors and sets. Best of all, the vocal casting is inspired; the commandos are voiced by Tommy Lee Jones and members of the original cast of The Dirty Dozen, while the Gorgonites are given life by Frank Langella and members of Spinal Tap.

But director Joe Dante's trademark dark comedy is overwhelmed by special effects and mean-spiritedness. More troublesome than the violence is the inhumanity and sheer hatefulness of the commandos. It's scary to think that children might identify with these muscle-bound, conscience-free murderers whose slogan is "No Mercy." Worse, they may imitate the soldiers by fashioning weapons out of ordinary household items.

Studio: DreamWorks
Director: Joe Dante
Cast: Denis Leary, Jay Mohr, Kirsten Dunst
Genre: Family and Kids
Run time: 110 minutes
Theatrical release: January 1, 1998
DVD release: August 28, 2001
MPAA Rating: PG-13
MPAA explanation: violence and thematic intensity