Small Soldiers MPAA Rating: PG-13 Entertainment: +3 1/2 Content: -1/2

DreamWorks Pictures, the sensational new film production company, has a real winner in this new action adventure film. It combines live action with state of the art computer generated imagery. The imagery comes in the form of a whole army of animated toy commando soldiers and some weird looking toy creatures called Gorgonites. Teenager Alan Abernathy (Gregory Smith) comes into possession of these amazing toys made with micro chips which permit them to act and talk just like humans. Before long, Alan is caught up in a ferocious battle between the Commandos commanded by Chip Hazard (voice of Tommy Lee Jones) and the Gorgonites whose leader is Archer (voice of Frank Langella). Their principal battle ground is the house and lawn of Alan's girlfriend, Christy Fimple (Kirsten Dunst), which is almost destroyed. The Commandos are determined to wipe out the more peaceful Gorgonites and bring in miniature high tech weaponry of all sorts to assist them. These include tanks, helicopters and cannons which can fire nails, fire balls and explosive projectiles. All the action and humor is great fun and young people in particular will flock to see this one.

In the battles between the antagonistic toy factions, many toy soldiers and some of the Gorgonite creatures are destroyed. Alan and others are chased and shot at, but the only human injured is Alan's dad who is hit in the leg by a nail projectile. Christy's house is bombarded by the toy soldiers and damaged by fire, and a boys pants briefly catch on fire. But the violence is not sadistic or gory and is largely portrayed in a light hearted vein. Alan and his dad don't get along too well and in one scene Alan makes some derogatory remarks about parents in general. But he and his dad reconcile at the end of their toy battle ordeal. The most unfortunate elements in this adventure are a number of mild crude words, a couple of moderate crudities and some milder forms of obscenities. Refreshingly, though, the story is devoid of sexual content and sexually suggestive dialogue or humor. Though limited in number, the obscenities require a slightly negative rating for this otherwise decent film.

Preview Reviewer: John Evans
Distributor: DreamWorks Distribution, L.L.C., 100 Universal Plaza, Bldg. 10, Universal City CA 91608