Plot: What’s it about?
Globotech, a firm known for it’s involvement in military affairs, has just purchased Heartland Play-Systems. Globotech owner (Denis Leary) wants to bring the technology of the military into the toy field, making smarter, more advanced toys. Two Heartland designers have very different directions in mind for the next line, as one (Jay Mohr) envisions rough ‘n’ tough soldiers, The Commando Elite, and the other wants to make a band of peaceful aliens, The Gorgonites, researching Earth, not destroying it. Leary goes with the soldiers, and produces the Gorgonites as cannon fodder. Mohr uses the other designer’s password to order a large amount of powerful military chips to install in the toys, chips that unknown to him, enable the toys to learn, and act out their programming beyond normal limits. So, the chips are unknowingly placed in the toys, and the first shipments are sent out.
Enter Alan Abernathy (Gregory Smith) who works in his father’s toy store, and has a troubled past. The store is not making much money, so when a driver drops off his delivery, and Alan sees the Commandos and Gorgonites, he sees a chance to make his dad some money. The driver gives Alan one of each toy, with the condition he pays him back after the sale. Well, during the night, the Commandos go berzerk, and try to hunt down the Gorgonites like dogs, and eliminate them, and anyone/anything that is with them. The Gorgonite leader Archer, voiced by Frank Langella, manages to escape by going home with Alan, but Chip Hazard, voiced by Tommy Lee Jones, will stop at nothing to ensure the end of the Gorgonites. Oh yeah, this means WAR!
Aside from the voice talents, Small Soldiers also features some nice live action performances, with a great ensemble cast. Smith is iffy as the main charcter, but he is decent at least. Co-starring as Alan’s love interest is Kirsten Dunst, who is excellent, and gives her character just enough spunk to spice up the movie. As mentioned, Denis Leary has a small role, which he plays with his usual take-charge type acting, perfect for this ruthless business man he portrays. Also rounding out the cast is Jay Mohr, Kevin Dunn, and in his last picture, Phil Hartman. Hartman gives a humorous performance, and a great last film.
Video: How does it look?
This was one of the first “new-to-the-format” releases back in the early days of DVD. Flash forward a couple of decades and we’ve now got this film in 4K. Truthfully, it looks better than I thought it would. Given that the movie blends CGI and live action, it could have been a recipe for disaster, but it’s just not the case. The 2.39:1 HEVC 4K image sparkles particularly during the CGI sequences. Colors are bold and brash, detail has been improved making way for solid contrast and strong black levels. In short, it’s a good-looking image and one that breathes new life into the film.
Audio: How does it sound?
While this might have been well-suited for a Dolby Atmos track, it didn’t happen. But the included DTS HD Master Audio mix, with every little “ping” from the rivet gun resounding loud and clear, does the job just fine. The smallest details, like the sound plastic joints make when they move, and every loud explosion at an ear-shattering rate! The dialogue is clean, sharp and crisp. In short, it’s a great-sounding track.
Supplements: What are the extras?
Unfortunately, this 4K disc doesn’t offer us anything new in the supplemental department.
- A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Making of Small Soldiers – A pretty standard (if not dated) look at the production, with some interviews with the cast and crew as well as some behind the scenes footage.
- From the Cutting Room Floor: Bloopers – Some antics from the set.
- Theatrical Trailer
The Bottom Line
There was a “boom” in the computer-animated films (though this doesn’t totally qualify as such) during the late 90’s. I’d forgotten some of the subtle bits of humor spread in the film and seeing it again for the first time in…ages was quite a treat. The improved picture alone is worth the price of admission.
