The top spot on this glossy display of childish things is taken by Joe Dante's skewed and underrated 1998 romp, where a range of advanced action figures played a game of actual war against the backdrop of suburban America. Kirsten Dunst and Denis Leary led the cast. Its narrative could almost be an offshoot of Barry Levinson's Toys. When a fun factory is absorbed by the almighty Globotech Industries, the chance to make the ultimate combo of Action Man and, well, action man is too good to resist. Though naturally they wind up making the Commando Elite and their sworn enemy the Gorgonites too damned self-aware for their own good. What stood out in Small Soldiers was the sheer attention to detail. The plastic characters were a convincing toy range - indeed, Amblin got them into stores as proper merchandise. And while the effect wasn't entirely what the director intended - he admitted the violence had been toned down to please the execs - it still stands as a victory in the battle to get toys taken seriously at the cinema. Do you agree with this list? Are there other toy-based movies you think I've left out? Wind yourself up & let rip in the comments section.
I am a journalist and comedian who enjoys American movies of the 70s, Amicus horror compendiums, Doctor Who, Twin Peaks, Naomi Watts and sitting down. My short fiction has been published as part of the Iris Wildthyme range from Obverse Books.
