SNL Icon’s Best Movie Is An All Out Sci-Fi War, And It’s Even Better With Age

Written by Robert Scocchi | Published
1998 Little soldiers It’s one of those great summer movies that is crafted to perfection. Its basic story, while not without its charm, is good on paper. Everyone here knew the mission, making it one of the most enjoyable family movies of the late 90s.
A classic story of good versus evil Little soldiers is one of the best CGI-enhanced, family-friendly gang war action comedies you can find. Although I can’t say that this very specific subgenre faces a lot of competition, that’s not the point. This movie is quite enjoyable, and that’s all you need to know about it.
Preparing young soldiers

Little soldiers It centers around two lines of action figures created by GloboTech Industries, a company that specializes in military weapons. Having just purchased Heartland Toy Company, GloboTech’s CEO, Gil Mars (Denis Leary), demands that they produce toys that are “more than just toys.”
Heartland developers Larry Benson (Jay Mohr) and Irwin Wayfair (David Cross) are tasked with launching two new products: Larry’s Commando Elite forces and Irwin’s Gorgonites. Wanting to defeat Irwin, Larry orders advanced military chips to give the toys a feel, allowing them to wage actual war against each other.

Meanwhile, Alan Abernathy (Gregory Smith), a teenager who works at his father Stuart’s (Kevin Dunne) vintage toy store, learns about the new toys and convinces delivery driver Joe (Dick Miller) to “waste” some boxes so he can help the store make some money. Almost immediately, the elite commandos, led by Major Chip Hazzard (Tommy Lee Jones), prepare to exterminate the peaceful Gorgonians, led by Archer (Frank Langella).
Alan tries to get close to Christy Fimple (Kirsten Dunst), the daughter of his tech-obsessed neighbor Phil Fimple (Phil Hartman). Alan isn’t exactly known for his good behavior, and his reputation complicates matters because no one takes him seriously. Once he realizes that the young soldiers are dangerous and destructive, it is already too late, and the adults around him become too distracted to notice until the chaos hits home.
Typecast to perfection

The main reason Little soldiers What works very well is that each character looks like a fictionalized version of their real-life counterparts. Tommy Lee Jones reps are loud, David Cross succumbs to pressure, Kirsten Dunst is the perfect girl next door, Phil Hartman is the slimy, aggressive neighbor who’s been chopping down a tree for better satellite reception, and Denis Leary outshines the smug corporate jerk. Each actor is exactly where they belong, and it’s hard to imagine the film working with anyone else in their place.
Action sequence in Little soldiers Shockingly holds up to the production of 1998. Filmed with CGI-enhanced puppets, Elite Commandos and Gorgonites practically jump off the screen as they are blown up, dismembered and reassembled, while the humans stuck in the middle stare in disbelief as they try to restore peace.
A blast for the whole family

I saw Little soldiers In theaters when I was 10 and I wore VHS when it came to home video. Revisiting it as an adult, I expected it to seem dated, but it’s as fun now as it was then. Hearing Phil Hartman’s joyful, condescending voice echo through my house immediately took me back to Matthew The Simpsons It was still considered essential viewing.

That we’ve since come to appreciate the rest of the wider cast’s work makes the film even better. At that time, they were just characters to me. Watching it now, it’s as if everyone involved was having the time of their lives playing a slightly exaggerated version of themselves, which only adds to the entertainment value.
If you like Little soldiers As a kid, it’s definitely worth a visit as an adult. And if this is your first time watching it, it’s a fun, action-packed, harmless popcorn game that the whole family can enjoy.
Little soldiers It is currently streaming on Paramount+.
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2025-10-15 20:16:00