From: Reviews and Criticism of Vietnam War Theatrical and Television Dramas (http://www.lasalle.edu/library/vietnam/FilmIndex/home.htm) compiled by John K. McAskill, La Salle University ([email protected])
S5240 SMALL SOLDIERS (USA, 1998)
Credits: director, Joe Dante ; writers, Gavin Scott, Adam Rifkin, Ted Elliott, Terry Rossio. Cast: Kirsten Dunst, Gregory Smith, Jay Mohr, Phil Hartman. Summary: Science fiction/fantasy set in contemporary Ohio. A toy designer, working for a conglomerate which also does military work, uses “intelligent” military computer chips (originally intended to be used in a canceled missile project) to create two lines of action figures. These are: the aggressive Commando Elite, led by Major Chip Hazzard (voice of Tommy Lee Jones); and the Gorgonites, a group of pacifistic space aliens led by the Archer (Frank Langella). These “toys” escape from their boxes and begin the battle they were programmed for, endangering any humans who get in the way. The Commandos are programmed to destroy the Gorgonites and pursue this mission with relentless and resourceful militaristic fervor. Teenager Alan Abernathy (Smith), son of a toy store owner, is drawn into the battle to rescue the Gorgonites when his girlfriend and her family are taken hostage by the Commandos. At one point Major Hazard paraphrases the “I love the smell of napalm in the morning” line from Apocalypse now.
Abele, Robert. “Behind the scenes with Kirsten Dunst” US n.247 (Aug 1998), p. 26- 7. Andersen, Soren. “Movie review: ‘Small soldiers’ is hostage to commercialism, imitation” News tribune [Tacoma WA] (Jul 10, 1998), SoundLife, p. SL9. Anderson, Jason. “The toys strike back: ‘Gremlins 2: a new batch’ and ‘Small soldiers’” Cinema scopeno. 2 (winter 2000), p. 36. Ansen, David. “Playing to the crowds” Newsweek 132/3 (Jul 20, 1998), p. 66. Anthony, Ted. “‘Small soldiers’ rain chaos on themselves and viewers” Chattanooga times (Jul 10, 1998), p. G4. Arnold, Frank. “Small soldiers” EPD Film 15 (Nov 1998), p. 44. Arnold, Gary. “A victory of sorts for ‘Soldiers’” Washington times (Jul 10, 1998), p. C17. Baltake, Joe. “Anti-Spielberg Dante strikes again with ‘Soldiers’” Sacramento bee (Jul 10, 1998), Ticket, p. TK21. Baron, David. “War and subterfuge: Unpredictable ‘Small soldiers’ gives kids a message and a lot of violence” Times picayune (Jul 15, 1998), p. E1. Bernard, Jami. “‘Small soldiers’ take no prisoners: Commando dolls spare no one - human or rival toys - in search & destroy mission” Daily news [New York] (Jul 10, 1998), p. 52. Berthomieu, Pierre. “Small soldiers” Positif n. 453 (Nov 1998), p. 57. Betzold, Michael. “Small soldiers” Magill’s cinema annual Englewood Cliffs, N.J. : Salem Press, 1982- (1999, p. 497-99) Blois, Marco de. “Small soldiers” 24 images n. 93/94 (autumn 1998), p. 93. Bond, Jeff. “Small soldiers” Film score monthly 3/8 (1998), p. 33. Boyar, Jay. “‘Small soldiers’ is the lost patrol of sci-fi movies” Orlando sentinel (Jul 10, 1998), Calendar, p. 16. Brawley, Vance. “Small soldiers” Soundtrack! The collector’s quarterly 17 (Sep 1998), p. 20. Britton, Bonnie. “Battling toys send mixed messages in ‘Small soldiers’” Indianapolis star (Jul 10, 1998), p. F1. Burres, Sonya. “More fun than a poolful of gremlins” Cinefantastique 30/9-10 (1998), p. 123. Butler, Robert W. “Effects barely sustain ‘Soldiers’” Kansas City star (Jul 10, 1998), p. 8. Carr, Jay. “Movie review: Small soldiers: Sizzling shootout in gizmo gulch” Boston globe (Jul 10, 1998), p. D1. Cebryznski, Gregg. “BK alters battle plan for ‘Small soldiers’ promo” Nation’s restaurant news 32/30 (Jul 27, 1998), p. 3, 73. Chris, Cynthia. “Small soldiers” Motion picture guide annual (edited by Jay Robert Nash and Stanley Ralph Ross) Chicago : Cinebooks, 1987-2000. (1999, p. 391-2) Churnin, Nancy. “‘Small soldiers’ backfires: Burger King toy promotion under attack” Dallas morning news (Jul 16, 1998), p. 1C. Chute, David. “Movies: When size doesn’t matter: In Joe Dante’s ‘Small soldiers,’ digitally created pint-sized warriors run amok. Giving them some heart was the real challenge” Los Angeles times (Jul 5, 1998), Calendar, p. 3. Clark, Mike. “Soldiering on with special effects leading charge” USA today (Jul 10, 1998), p. 2E. Cling, Carol. “‘Small’ victory: New Joe Dante satire succeeds on several levels” Las Vegas review-journal (Jul 10, 1998), p. 33J. Cosulich, Oscar. “I prodigi della tecnica” Rivista del cinematografo 68 (Oct 1998), p. 54-5. ______. “Soldatini killer” Rivista del cinematografo 68 (Oct 1998), p. 51-2. Covert, Colin. “‘Small soldiers’ pits good toys vs. evil in cheesy fun” Star tribune [Minneapolis MN] (Jul 10, 1998), p. 17E. Denerstein, Robert. “Toy action figures come wildly alive in ‘Small soldiers’” Rocky mountain news [Denver CO] (Jul 10, 1998), p. 8D. Di Luzio, Alessandria. “L’impari lotta fra pupazzi e attori” Cineforum 38/378 (Oct 1998), p. 35-8. Dreher, Rod. “Toys ‘n the ‘hood” New York post (Jul 10, 1998), p. 39. [Reprinted in Film review annual 1999] Duncan, Jody. “A ‘Small soldier’ story” Cinefex n. 75 (Oct 1998), p. 96-117. DuPre, Bill. “Priorities march out of line in ‘Small soldiers’” News and observer [Raleigh NC] (Jul 10, 1998), What’s up, p. WUP8. Ebert, Roger. “Frightening things come in ‘Small’ package” Chicago sun-times (Jul 10, 1998), p. 31. Egerton, Judith. “Special effects rule in toy story: Stunted plot can’t measure up” Courier-journal [Louisville KY] (Jul 10, 1998), Weekend extra, p. 19W. Elliott, David. “‘Small soldiers’ loses the war” San Diego union-tribune (Jul 9, 1998), p. Night & Day-23. Emiliani, Simone. “Small soldiers” Film [Italy] 5/36 (1998), p. 69-71. Fabre, Jerome. “Small soldiers” Jeune cinema n. 252 (Nov/Dec 1998), p. 35-7. Fenster, Bob. “‘Small soldiers’ loses war without a fight” Arizona republic (Jul 10, 1998), p. D3. Fuchs, Wolfgang J. “Small soldiers” Kinder und Jugendfilm Korrespondenz 19/4 [76] (1998), p. 18-19. Gabrenya, Frank. “‘Small soldiers,’ big salesmen” Columbus dispatch (Jul 10, 1998), p. 12H. Gire, Dann. “Gremlinesque, high-gloss adventure is a toonful” Chicago daily herald (Jul 10, 1998), p. 38. Gist, Karen Taylor. “Kids agree ‘Small soldiers’ packs plenty of punch” Times- picayune (Jul 10, 1998), p. L26. Gleiberman, Owen. “Small soldiers” Entertainment weekly n.443 (Jul 31, 1998), p. 51. ______. “Valley of the dolls” Entertainment weekly n.441 (Jul 17, 1998), p. 58. ______. “The week in theaters: Small soldiers” Entertainment weekly n.442 (Jul 24, 1998), p. 55. Goldschmidt, Bridget. “‘Soldiers’ conquers criticism” New York law journal (Jul 10, 1998), p. 5. Graham, Bob. “Audacious march of ‘Soldiers’: Unexpected twists as toys come to life” San Francisco chronicle (Jul 10, 1998), p. C1. Gray, Byron. “‘Small soldiers’ marches into local movie theaters” Press journal [Vero Beach FL] (Jul 24, 1998), p. C3. Griskavich, Emily. “Violent ‘Small soldiers’ too much for under-11 crowd” Wisconsin state journal (Jul 21, 1998), p. 2C. Holleman, Joe. “Toy soldiers star in offbeat movie for kids” St. Louis post-dispatch (Jul 12, 1998), Everyday magazine, p. D10. Hornaday, Ann. “‘Small soldiers’ has little to like” Baltimore sun (Jul 10, 1998), p. 3E. Hurlburt, Roger. “Violent plot kills tale of ‘Small soldiers’” Sun-sentinal [Fort Lauderdale FL] (Jul 10, 1008), p. 4. James, Christine. “Small soldiers” Boxoffice 134 (Sep 1998), p. 64. Jensen, Jeff. “Burger King bets big on ‘Small soldiers’ push” Advertising age 69/27 (Jul 6, 1998), p. 8. Johnson, Brian D. “Fighting for laughs” Maclean’s 111/28 (Jul 20, 1998), p. 52. Johnson, Malcolm. “Violent, satiric ‘Small soldiers’ an oddly adult family film” Hartford courant (Jul 10, 1998), p. F3. Keenan, John. “‘Soldiers’ reminiscent of ‘Gremlins’” Omaha world-herald (Jul 11, 1998), p. 61. Kelley, Bill. “Small soldiers” Cinefantastique 20/9-10 (1998), p. 122. ______“‘Soldiers’ raises the bat in special-effects films” Sarasota herald-tribune (Jul 10, 1998), Ticket, p. 19. Kelly, Christopher. “Toys in the attic” Film quarterly 53/4 (2000), p. 41-6. Kempley, Rita. “‘Small soldiers’: Armed, dangerous” Washington post (Jul 10, 1998), p. D5. Kimmel, Daniel M. “‘Small soldiers’ deserves a 21-gun salute” Telegram & gazette [Worcester MA] (Jul 10, 1998), p. C5. Klady, Leonard. “Small soldiers” Variety 371 (Jul 13-19, 1998), p. 54. Kliewer, Brent. “‘Small soldiers’ is too much like ‘Gremlins’” Santa Fe New Mexican (Jul 17, 1998), Psatiempo, p. P26. Koseluk, Chris. “Films: ‘Small soldiers’ a case of toying with effects” Houston chronicle (Jul 9, 1998), Preview, p. 29. Lally, Kevin. “Small soldiers” Film journal 101 (Aug 1998), p. 97-8. Larcher, Jerome. “Il faut sauver les Gorgonites” Cahiers du cinema n. 529 (Nov 1998), p. 68-9. Larsen, Dave. “‘Small soldiers’ attacks box office with tale combining ‘Gremlins,’ ‘Toy story’” Dayton daily news (Jul 10, 1998), p. 5. Lebouc, Georges. “Small soldiers” Grand angle n. 219 (Oct 1998), p. [43-4] Lim, Dennis. “Toys of summer” Village voice 43 (Jul 21, 1998), p. 124. [Reprinted in Film review annual 1999] Loohauis, Jackie. “‘Small soldiers’ a toy story gone bad” Milwaukee journal sentinel (Jul 10, 1998), p. 8. Marks, Rusty. “‘Small soldiers’ a 90-minute G.I. Joe battle” Charleston gazette (Jul 16, 1998), p. 4D. Martin, Dan. “‘Small soldiers’ isn’t for small viewers” Patriot ledger [Quincy MA] (Jul 10, 1998), p. 21. Martin, John. “A shoot-’em-up toy story with surprises” Providence journal-bulletin (Jul 10, 1998), p. 3E. Maslin, Janet. “The few, the proud, the computer-generated” New York times (Jul 10, 1998), p. 18. Mathews, Jack. “Toy soldiers whose mission is to be bought” Newsday (Jul 10, 1998), p. B2. [Reprinted in Film review annual 1999] Mcclure, Holly. “‘Small soldiers’ musters action, laughs” Orange county register (Jul 10, 1998), p. F25. McGurk, Margaret A. “‘Small soldiers,’ big effects: Computer chip technology saves action-figure flick” Cincinnati enquirer (Jul 10, 1998), p. W25. Melhus, G. T. “Gremlin-sized GIs” ‘Small soldiers’ effects make a bang, but story shoots blanks” Des Moines register (Jul 16, 1998), Datebook, p. 7. Michel, Nicolas. “Disques” L’ecran fantastique n. 179 (Nov 1998), p. 75. Monetti, Domenico. “Small soldiers” Segnocinema n. 95 (Jan/Feb 1999), p. 42-3. Morgan, Curtis. “Marching to commercial beat, Soldiers wage a wicked war” Miami herald (Jul 10, 1998), p. G6. Morgenstern, Joe. “Small soldiers” Wall Street journal (Jul 10, 1998), p. W3. Munro, Donald. “Brutes in toyland: ‘Small soldiers’ is a violent assault on our children’s minds” Fresno bee (Jul 10, 1998), p. E3. Murray, Steve. “Movies: ‘Soldiers’ falls short except in violence” Atlanta journal and constitution (Jul 10, 1998), p. ? O’Connor, Suzanne. “Small soldiers” New York times (Jul 19, 1998), p. 24. Oravsky, Vladimir. “Filmsoundtrack pa skiva” Film rutan 41/1 (1999), p. 44-7. Orwell, Bruce. “Burger King overhauls tie-in with movie” Wall Street journal (Jul 13, 1998), p. B8. O’Sullivan, Michael. “‘Small soldiers’: Full plastic jacket” Washington post (Jul 10, 1998), Weekend, p. N43. Parks, Louis B. “Technology fails to save plot of ‘Small soldiers’” Houston chronicle (Jul 10, 1998), Houston, p. 1. Pickle, Betsy. “Clumsy ‘Small soldiers’ loses battle and war” Knoxville news-sentinel (Jul 17, 1998), Weekend, p. T6. Pugliese, Roberto. “Segno dischi” Segnocinema n. 95 (Jan/Feb 1999), p. 78. Puig, Claudia. “Unexpected skirmishes” USA today (Jul 10, 1998), p. 1E. Rea, Steven. “‘Small soldiers’ a blitz of havoc - and a bomb” Philadelphia inquirer (Jul 10, 1998), Weekend, p. 14, 16. Reed, Katherine. “‘Small soldiers’ is strange, disturbing” Roanoke times & world news (Jul 11, 1998), p. 1. Reza, H. G. “Company town: Technicalities of war: In the trenches of Hollywood, Warriors inc. aims to ensure accuracy on the battlefield” Los Angeles times (Jul 30, 1998), p. D1. Richter, Erin. “Dick Miller” Entertainment weekly n.442 (Jul 24, 1998), p. 54. Riedman, Patricia. “‘Small soldiers’ marches online with Hasbro Toys” Advertising age 69/25 (Jun 22, 1998), p. 38. Robbins, Mark. “Juguetes que aburren” Dirigido por n. 271 (Sep 1998), p. 38-9. Romney, Jonathan. “Small soldiers” Sight and sound 8 (Oct 1998), p. 55-6. [Reprinted in Film review annual 1999] Rosen, Steven. “Lacking warmth, ‘Soldiers’ fights losing battle” Denver post (Jul 10, 1998), p. E3. Rosenbaum, Jonathan. “Problemes d’acces” Trafic n. 30 (summer 1999), p. 54-70. Ross, Bob. “A ‘Small’ wonder: Amazing effects enhance this otherwise routine comic adventure about military toys running amok” Tampa tribune (Jul 10, 1998), p. 4. Rozen, Leah. “Small soldiers” People weekly 50/2 (Jul 27, 1998), p. 36. Seaborn, Jody. “Plastic people: Adults, toys seek an excuse in ‘Small soldiers’” Austin American-statesman (Jul 10, 1998), p. E4. Sennhauser, Michael. “Clevere kindskoepfe im Spielzeugladen” Filmbulletin 40/4 [218] (1998), p. 31-33. Sheehan, Henry. “Dante puts basic training to use: ‘Small soldiers’ is a clever variation of the director’s ‘Gremlins’ films” Orange county register (Jul 10, 1998), p. F10. Silvestre, Giovanni. “Small soldiers” Cinema sessanta 38/6 (1997), p. 87-8. Simanton, Keith. “‘Small soldiers’: Toying with the action” Seattle times (Jul 10, 1998), p. G5. Sinclair, Tom. “Various artists: Small soldiers” Entertainment weekly n.442 (Jul 24, 1998), p. 75. “Small soldiers” Film review annual 1999 Englewood, N.J. : J.S. Ozer, 1981- (p. 1197-1202) Smith, Christopher. “Audience goes AWOL on ‘Small soldiers’: Cohesion, creativity missing in action” Bangor daily news (Jul 13, 1998), p. ? Smith, Lynn. “Kids on film: ‘Small’ battle wins some hearts, minds” Los Angeles times (Jul 16, 1998), p. 32. Soergel, Matt. “‘Soldiers’ is for playful 10-year-old in all of us” Florida times-union [Jacksonville FL] (Jul 10, 1998), Weekend, p. D1. Stack, Peter. “Small soldiers, big effects: Industrial Light & Magic pushes the animation envelope” San Francisco chronicle (Jul 11, 1998), p. B1. Stark, Susan. “‘Soldiers’ guns for a wide audience: This toy story has edge, visual gusto and a heart” Detroit news (Jul 10, 1998), p. D3. Stahl, Garth. “‘Small soldiers’: These toys aren’t kidding” Hartford courant (Aug 2, 1998), p. G10. Steelman, Ben. “A Burger King ad plot: Top-notch cast and animation wasted on tired ripoff of a film” Morning star [Wilmington NC] (Jul 11, 1998), p. 1D, 6D. Thompson, Bill. “‘Small soldiers’: Toys or terrors?” Post and courier [Charleston SC] (Jul 9, 1998), p. 5. Travers, Peter. “Small soldiers” Rolling stone n.793 (Aug 20, 1998), p. 114. Turan, Kenneth. “War games (batteries not necessary): Movie review: Charming gizmos get ‘Small soldiers’ off to a promising start but the pace finally defeats the film” Los Angeles times (Jul 10, 1998), Calendar, p. 1. [Reprinted in Film review annual 1999] Valeriote, Catherine. “Joe Dante: Son of the Saturday matinee” The DGA magazine 23/2 (1998), p. 68-73. Verne, Paul. “Music from the motion picture Small soldiers” Billboard 110/30 (Jul 25, 1998), p. 26. Verniere, James. “Movie review: Assault & batteries: ‘Small soldiers’ is familiar and violent, but it’s also fun: Dolled-up violence in ‘Small soldiers’ is fun” Boston herald (Jul 10, 1998), p. S3. Vice, Jeff. “‘Small soldiers’ is short on fun, long on violence” Deseret news [Salt Lake City UT] (Jul 10, 1998), p. W4. Viltard, Simon. “Small soldiers” L’ecran fantastique n. 178 (Oct 1998), p. 34-5. Vincent, Mal. “‘Small soldiers’ is a big waste” Virginia pilot [Norfolk VA] (Jul 16, 1998), p. E3. Washington, Julie E. “‘Small soldiers’ campaign bogs down” Plain dealer [Cleveland] (Jul 10, 1998), Friday, p. 4. Wells, Melanie. “Burger King alters movie tie-in plans” USA today (Jul 13, 1998), p. 1B. Whipp, Glenn. “Deplorable ‘Small soldiers’ keeps falling on its sword” Daily news of Los Angeles (Jul 10, 1998), L.A. Life, p. L9. Williams, Kathy. “‘Small soldiers’ creates a battlefield for parents” Pittsburgh post- gazette (Jul 17, 1998), p. 39. Wilmington, Michael. “‘Small soldiers’ looks great but has a plot cramp” Chicago tribune (Jul 10, 1998), Friday, p. A. Wirt, John. “Violent ‘Small soldiers’ loses both battle and war” Advocate [Baton Rouge LA] (Jul 17, 1998), p. 22. Wuntch, Philip. “Small soldiers: Armed toys give ‘burbs a wake-up call” Dallas morning news (Jul 10, 1998), p. 1C.
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