Fabulous Films, out now

When a toy company accidently programmes action figures with military technology they begin acting like real soldiers.

At a time when most new releases of legacy movies are a step-up from the previous iteration in terms of resolution, it makes a change for a 90s film to get a DVD release, but then Joe Dante’s 1998 sci-fi comedy Small Soldiers is old school in many ways.

The idea of creatures taking over a small town is something that the director covered previously in his higher profile Gremlins, but there’s no shame in reprising one of your greatest hits with a variation. And this is a fun romp that lives and breathes through its novelty value and great voice cast.

On one side is the  Commando Elite, led by Tommy Lee Jones’ GI Joe-wannabe Chip Hazard, facing off against the less belligerent Gorgonites under Frank Langella’s Archer. The practical visual effects convince, there’s a rousing score by Jerry Goldsmith and you’ll enjoy spotting Dante’s regular acting troop (Dick Miller, Robert Picardo).

Extras on the disc are 20 minutes of deleted scenes, bloopers and behind-the-scenes material.

Verdict: A budget release of one of Joe Dante’s most underrated movies. Perfect Saturday afternoon fare. 8/10

Nick Joy

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