On T List of Movie Reviews
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Toy Soldiers (1991)
Rate:
7
Viewed:
8/04, 2/18, 2/22
2/18:
Toy Soldiers is an unusual high school movie because of the creative story.
It doesn't hurt, either, to have a strong cast which includes Sean Astin, Louis Gossett, Jr., Denholm Elliott, Jerry Orbach,
Wil Wheaton, Keith Coogan, and Andrew Divoff, a Venezuelian-born actor who plays an underrated villain. The pace and plot,
which is explained well by the movie poster, make it easy to get into Toy Soldiers from start to finish, and it's hard
to pause the film any minute.
More importantly, the terrorist scheme is believable and realistic. To cap it off is the strength of the acting by the
entire cast. Luis Cali is a bad guy who shouldn't be messed with. If there's anything negative, it's
just that the movie can be a tad corny and takes a while to get started.
All in all, if you're looking for a fun, creative modern picture with high school kids, look no further than Toy Soldiers.
2/22:
Toy Soldiers is The Goonies meets Die Hard.
This time, the boys are grown up and attend an elite prep high school. The story is great, so is the battle. Sean Astin
is once again in the lead role while Andrew Divoff steals the show as Luis Cali who makes for a formidable adversary
since Hans Gruber.
There are memorable scenes. Some of the best are Sean Astin coming back for the roll call in a dramatic
fashion, Keith Coogan having a fake asthma attack, and Jerry Orbach's reaction after finding out what happened to his
character's stupid son.
It's interesting to notice Louis Gossett, Jr., standing next to R. Lee Ermey. The latter trained the former to give an
Oscar-winning peformance in An Officer and a Gentleman and would go on to do
the exact same role in Full Metal Jacket. Gossett, Jr.'s "Pick up that banana" line
with each syllable punctuated is funny although it's actually a banana peel he's referring to.
All in all, although cheesy in spots, Toy Soldiers will never get old.