The Commandos are the Good Guys in Small Soldiers

Small Soldiers is one of the less remembered sci fi movies of the 1990s and yet it's a super fun and entertaining film. If you haven't seen it in awhile you might remember it as the tale of the honorable Gorgonites vs. the mean and nasty Commando Elite. Today, we challenge that narrative and attempt to vindicate the commandos.
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[@levitschetter5288]

So this is the movie of Toy story if Andy collected warhammer 40k...

[@MarkoDash]

there's a fanfic of that

[@terrorcop101]

Nah, the Gorgonites want to avoid violence if at all possible; 40K has nobody like that.

[@MatCor-ty7zi]

@@MarkoDash What's it called? Genuinely curious.

[@terrorcop101]

@Ryder Steel must be a small degree

[@Randomdudefromtheinternet]

@@terrorcop101 The Commandos were kinda like the empire.

[@MrPapageorgio]

"Doesn't really hold up for adults." My mom swears when she took me to see this, that I was the only kid and that the place was full of Marines legitimately enjoying it. We're a military town btw.

[@redassassian]

Thats awesome

[@MrPapageorgio]

@@redassassian It's good to see this resonated with so many people. I think they really connected because the Marines trains you to be behind enemy lines. "Yes recruit the local barbies and sabotage infrastructure."

[@scalion44y22]

@@MrPapageorgio haha no, marines are the front line, they are not behind the line, they are the line

[@fukumarkzuckerburg]

@@scalion44y22 in modern times, yah, but prior to 2006, Force/Recon operated behind the lines. some platoons sowed chaos behind enemy lines, softening up the enemy so that the main core of marines would have an easy time getting a foothold, and they operated so far ahead of their allies they were essentially small armies relying only on adaptability and brutality to survive. other platoons operated in tandem, ahead of allied lines, sending back data on important targets and working as spotters for long range artillery and bombing campaigns edit ; should note they were disbanded for political reasons, since very, very few women ever made it into Force/Recon training, due to physical requirements, and i dont think any made it through training. the Corps refused to lower training standards, so no women, no Force/Recon

[@purpleemerald5299]

@@fukumarkzuckerburg That’s a stupid reason to disband such a valuable branch. Politics should never take precedence over basic biology.

[@helygg8892]

I had a major chip hazard action figure as a kid. He perished in the jungle when a enemy lawn mower caught him off guard after being left behind by his platoon.

[@Death_Korps_Officer]

Major respect for him and his soul rest in peace.

[@frking100]

Dude these toys where made to last. I still have mine and that guy fell of a 3rd floor and survived with 0 dmg. After almost 20 years it only has some minor paint loss and is otherwise just like new.

[@bobbyhempel1513]

I didn't know they actually made them into real toys.

[@peanutbutter6720]

I can’t believe I completely forgot about mine. I really wish I knew what happened to it.

[@someguy6651]

His battery may be dead but his memory will last for ever.

[@TheRewasder97]

This is one of my favourite films when I was a kid. I did see the commandos as the antagonists, but never as evil.

[@kronos661]

They were more of a victims, along those alien creatures.

[@juliangonzales3490]

I didn't care who was good or bad. I just enjoyed all the action when I was little.

[@TheRewasder97]

@@suckmyballzgameplays7172 just because, there wouldn't be no film otherwise. Film says they are programmed to be enemies and that's about it.

[@juliusmoe-nstar8942]

They were more like funny opponents given too much processing power and ill-treatment to me

[@CPTBlarg117]

@@suckmyballzgameplays7172 The gorgonites were originally pitched as friendly explorers, toy company exec didn't care and had them repurposed into the bad guys for the commandos, and the commandos are in the Toy Story 1 Buzz Lightyear "I'm a real space ranger" mentality

[@tyshingleton7005]

I thought it was obvious that the big giant corporate entity with a toy contract and a tank contract in the same factory building murder bots for kids was the evil part of this one...

[@lordkonzilla7890]

These "murder bots" didnt harm anyone until they were attacked

[@NinjaSkittlez]

I disagree, they were the only objectively good characters. The distance between tank production and toy production should have no basis on one's moral character but the ability to perform more than one task and use space efficiently thus reducing environmental footprint should be admired. Clearly the only evil in this movie were the children who interfered with an ongoing armed dispute between two groups by picking one side over the other based purely on first contact with no regard given to the reasons the conflict began.

[@killian9314]

to be fair, the movie had a heavy handed anti tech message

[@Shanbo26]

@@lordkonzilla7890 So how did pacifist Archer wind up suspended over a garbage disposal?

[@Shanbo26]

@@NinjaSkittlez Ummmmmm, we have a bunch of jarheads looking to kill a bunch of harmless pacifists for no good reason.

[@SeymoreTheDisappointed]

The commandos also carefully counted the dosages so as not to kill the parents

[@Shanbo26]

Only because dead hostages aren't worth much.

[@SNAKE.LOVER.69]

@@Shanbo26 And taking hostages is still a war crime.

[@guardsmansethlee3635]

@@SNAKE.LOVER.69 Technically, POWs. Hostages would assume they're neutral. In the Commando's Eyes, The humans sided with the enemy. They were seen assisting the enemy, So its a safe assumption to make.

[@ragingjaguarknight86]

"Chemical warfare" as they stated in the movie. ^_^

[@SNAKE.LOVER.69]

@@guardsmansethlee3635 The parents were neutral bystanders. They didn't believe the toys were really "alive".

[@nobleman9393]

Plastic Bodies, Golden Hearts

[@lightningchegg4823]

What’s your pfp?

[@taurusdaevidriv]

Sounds like an IG model 😆

[@lightningchegg4823]

@@taurusdaevidriv I think it’s the other way around, golden bodies, plastic hearts.

[@pissandcornflakes9119]

Fake plastic watering can

[@OmegaF77]

Makes sense. Chips have a bit of gold in them.

[@sholva6809]

Obviously you didn't watch the movie properly, Archer actually says to Chip Hazzard that the Gorganites are peaceful. Also that 'Beware there will be no mercy' was referring to the actions of Chip and the Commando Elite.

[@tasteychackras7023]

That's what I thought because of when he always says it too, he's warning others the enemy will have no mercy. I didn't even remember he said that to chip hazard

[@JTauruian09]

I always took his “Beware there will Be no mercy” line as a warning to the human characters of how dangerous the Commandos were as well.

[@kevinwillems8720]

Chip Hazard is a parody of jingoism

[@kevinwillems8720]

It's literally military propaganda being sold to little kids by a key player in the military industrial complex

[@kevinwillems8720]

It's like if G.I Joe got computer chips from Raytheon.

[@neilwhisenant9758]

I don't agree with everything that Ben said but the situation in little soldiers is eerily similar did the clone troopers in Star Wars with the inhibitor chips. Both factions are fighting a useless War that doesn't make any logical sense due to the programming they were made with. As for how the humans conducted themselves, none of them Were Soldiers or law enforcement. They were scared and Confused civilians forced into a situation where they had to use improvised weapons to defend themselves against a horde of plastic monstrosity that weren't even supposed to be alive to begin with. Basically, this whole situation is F***** up and just about everyone in this movie is a victim.

[@carlospulido6224]

I think the message is that war made victims of all beings.

[@neilwhisenant9758]

@@carlospulido6224 I wouldn't be surprised if that was the case. A couple of other things in the movie lineup with that philosophy as well.

[@TheSimmr001]

hell the name could apply to the children and the toys in both meanings of the phrase. (the toys AI is programmed with an understanding of war that effectively makes them child soldiers)

[@Konmael]

8:10 This is the face of a 16-year-old girl terrified of plastic toys

[@neilwhisenant9758]

@@Konmael LOL

[@popejpv]

“British Ben thinks murder is ok” I mean that’s just a cultural difference

[@bryanthardin8481]

All in defense of the empire of course old chap. 🇬🇧🎩🇬🇧

[@Peter_Turbo4]

*AS THE ZULUS LEARNED OH SO WELL AT THE BATTLE OF RORKE’S DRIFT*

[@bryanthardin8481]

@@Peter_Turbo4 here here🎩🥃🇬🇧

[@gabrielmedina9003]

Pip pip old beane 💂🏻‍♂️🇬🇧 🎩🍻🇬🇧💂🏻‍♂️

[@James-thefogiscoming]

Long live the Queen 🇬🇧🎩🇬🇧

[@Slender_Man_186]

Wait, this movie actually existed, this wasn’t just some fever dream of mine?

[@henriquemontalvao8492]

Damn, I remember when you were all the hype

[@bigbluebuttonman1137]

I remember this movie pretty fondly, honestly.

[@FreyOdyssey]

I swaer until my first rewatch as a child I thought the same fucking thing, that this movie had to be a dream... but then I saw it on TV again.

[@disparatebroom7705]

So I’m not the only one

[@mactony4]

My two fever dream movie that turn out to be real were Carnosaur and Tammy and the T-Rex i know that the latter from last month, a bit more than 20 years.

[@user-kv5lq9xm8c]

Based and GI Joe pilled

[@justanobadi6655]

Purge the xenos

[@Death_Korps_Officer]

@@justanobadi6655 Xenos. Fear Me.

[@actualteddybear891]

@@justanobadi6655 That's intolerant.

[@justanobadi6655]

@@actualteddybear891 yes

[@actualteddybear891]

@@justanobadi6655 GOOD

[@magentaman7639]

“An Officer and a Gentleman does NOT strike a lady!” *FWOOOOOOSH*

[@disbeafakename167]

The only good guys were the humans trying to destroy the living toys. This is how the machines rise up.

[@jasonboore4868]

So the purposes behind a fable, a parables, or folklore is lost on you then... cool

[@ihavetubes]

@@jasonboore4868 different strokes for different folks

[@ArtyoumPlays]

@@jasonboore4868 TOASTERS SHOULD NOT HAVE RIGHTS. WE HAVE GROWN UP SINCE SMALL SOLDIERS. DESTROY YOUR PC BEFORE GLOBAL WARMING TAKES US ALL

[@williamt.sherman9841]

the movie is to silly in premise to watch. i mean a small family owned toy store? That is just plain silly.

[@TrenchCoatDingo]

@Pye22 nah machine no matter how advance is a tool like all things we have made.

[@AdeptusCustodeCiff]

Archer was repeating the words of the camando elite when he said there would be no mercy Something else to add, Archer species was mostly based from native Americans Absolutely love this movie as a kid and watched it over and over on VHS tapes :D

[@RagnarOdinson]

Good catch!

[@ColazSmith]

thank u , someone that actually watched the movie

[@solarprophet5439]

Yeah, but... there were some pretty damned vicious Native American tribes as well, and I'm talking long before European settlers showed up. Some really did live up to the moniker of 'savages'.

[@AdeptusCustodeCiff]

@@solarprophet5439 exactly, thats why i believed that the camandos found the hostile ones and think that all of them are now evil, it had to be archer's race, he is the only gorganite that carries weapons like a crossbow and knife

[@filipesalles4912]

@@solarprophet5439 the commandoes invade the gorgonites land, and they are aggressive and bad because they defended themselves? People that wont follow your particular view on the eurocentric partake of civilization are "savages"? To this very day, people in Europe and US wont shower everyday. Now, thats savagery

[@ThaKingzsouljahPR777]

Small Soldiers is a criminally underrated 90’s flick! I’m surprised that there wasn’t a remake or a sequel.

[@ghostface4404]

There was supposed to be one...

[@RamblingGin]

There's a game coming out. Small Soldiers: War for the Nekron. Different cast, but looks good.

[@TheRandomperv]

I'd be astonished if no one brought this up; The Commando's actively engaged non-combatants. The knock out Drop scene is actually proof of this.

[@rannenw6207]

Still a non lethal means of taking out a non combatant. Putting someone to sleep when they could have dropped rat poison or something lethal into their water.

[@TheRandomperv]

@@rannenw6207 It's still engaging non-combatants, which is a huge no-no. When you encounter non-combatants in the field of operation you are not to do anything to them. You stand still, you don't speak to them, do not harm them, do not offer them anything.

[@thirstyserpent1079]

@@TheRandomperv That's quite untrue, during operations in urban settings its not uncommon for families to be detained despite being non combatants and kept stored securely as an area is cleared, not killed but imprisoned temporarily so as to prevent someone from potentially digging up an ak and shooting people in the back.

[@TheRandomperv]

@@thirstyserpent1079 There is a world of difference from Subduing and Detaining someone trying to stab you with a knife, and escorting (removing) non-combatants from a potential fire fight situation. One of the biggest factors in this case is the Commando's did *NOT* remove the sedated parents before continuing engagement. *EDITED FOR MY SPELL CHECK*

[@Airman2092]

Just a question as I am not trying to fan this into something bigger or worse... But could someone give me a suggestion as to how they would move two 100 to 200 something pound people from there positions on the couch? Just curious to see what people could come up with as ideas.

[@chrissapiandante5811]

I learned more about humanity through Generation Films/ Generation Tech than I did in elementary and highschool.

[@hennofwar4658]

True

[@goldencalf13]

What about Middle School

[@Airman2092]

Its sad that this is a harsh truth

[@trevorcoyle517]

I have some serious concerns

[@chrissapiandante5811]

@@trevorcoyle517 man...our education system is terrible aye?

[@darkmyro]

Idk about this one. Look at the damage done by the end of the movie. The cobbled together weapons don't help your point. They shoot a kid in a leg with metal darts, they cut a kid with a blade the first time they meet face to face. They also make weapons out of chain saws and flame throwers. The commandos escalate the fight long before the gorgons do, because they attack the gorgons in the store they're both in. I mean yeah you can blame the programming, but the commandos and the humans had barely spoken 5 words to each other at that point. I mean the only real fair point I can see is that they had a whole fictional history, but the movie makes that history kinda vague. The commandos are the gijoes fighting the peaceful gorgons. The commandos seem more like the invading force. All the commandos know is the gorgons are the bad guy and anyone who is with the gorgons must be their enemy too. The gorgons are more about peace and friendship. It's like the native Americans vs the American gov't. I mean yeah the natives did beef with each other, but they also had treaties they respected. You're avatar comparison might be pretty on the nose, cause the commandos in that were also the invading force on the none human aliens.

[@jamoecw]

well i am not sure the native american comparison is fair. the native americans did attack settlers, who settled on land that wasn't owned by the native americans due to them not believing in ownership. they started individually acting out, and the US government tried to get the tribes to let an american court try the people who murdered people, or at least to have some sort of legal remedy to punish them to the government's satisfaction. eventually enough of this happened that the government took steps to deal with the tribes that caused trouble. some tribes actually never had their people cause problems, as the tribe had a handle on their people. the problem was that most tribes had risen up against the government because they did not like how the government handled things. treaties were made and broken by certain people, on both sides (though the government kept better notes and eventually was the bigger violator). so basically things had escalated well before the government got involved. in contrast the gorgans seemed to be completely peaceful before the commandos went after them. the gorgans also just rolled over until they were convinced to fight back.

[@darkmyro]

@@jamoecw true, my issue with the vid was more that the commandos were the invading force, not the gorgons. The native American analogy was the best example I could come up with.

[@jamoecw]

@@darkmyro well there is china and Tibet. the Dali Lama ordered his people to stand down and flee, though many of them tried to defend Tibet and were wiped out. it used to be a big deal for the left, but everyone seems to have forgotten about it today.

[@darkmyro]

@@jamoecw Idk I still here free tibet from time to time.

[@corneliusjohnson5963]

@@jamoecw rewriting history there buddy

[@MagicalMaster]

The whole conflict of the movie is that educational toys were mixed with war toys. AI or no they were built at cross purposes. The Gorganites were all about learning and self growth and encouraging it in others. The Commando Elite on the other hand are about teaching Valor, Strength, Loyalty and other traits that are great in soldiers and strong adults. The last little addition that the Globotech CEO put in about The Commando's wanting to destroy The Gorganites is the source of all the movie's conflict. So the Gorganites and Commandos were set to collide and for all the fact that they're 'villains' the Commandos are pragmatic, persistent and honourable among their own. If this was a war movie where a group of Soldiers landed on a hostile world and did all the things the Commandos did there would at most be one or two questionable acts for otherwise utterly heroic soldiers. Mostly the hostage taking and the Frankenstein reinforcements with the Gwendy Dolls. But that's it. Otherwise they're stand up dudes.

[@Shanbo26]

Stand up dudes don't dangle people over garbage disposals. They don't take children as hostages. And they dont' try and kill innocent people.

[@MagicalMaster]

@@Shanbo26 You mean the creature they saw as an unreasoning monster, the giants that they didn't hurt until they were manhandled by them or the same titanic beings that took the side of their sworn enemy? That Person? That child? Those innocents?

[@Shanbo26]

@@MagicalMaster You mean like the "unreasoning monsters" the nazis thought that the Jews were? Sorry, having drunk the Kool-Aid is not an excuse.

[@captainbadassitude1845]

@@Shanbo26 Not at all, really, as the anti-semitism was really just scape-goating with the Jews. The humans actually sided with the Gorganites in-setting, the sworn enemy of the soldiers. They were a third species that the Gorganites has convinced to aid them, a powerful species at that. Thus, these soldiers did what they could to try and exterminate the Gorginites. If that meant harming the giant people, then so be it. All of this says nothing about whether I am sympathetic to their cause. I’m not but seeing some quickly whip out Nazis in an attempt to shut down discussion about ethically questionable scenarios? Well, I had to step in and say a few words. When your enemy is verifiably inhuman and their elimination is your sole objective, it becomes easy to perform acts of cruelty.

[@volbound1700]

What is funny is the pitch at the beginning of the movie. They were two separate toy-lines and the CEO just stuck them together. The one guy talked about the Gorgonites and after they went off about toys that actual do things, he was like "ok and we can make these Gorgonites the villians." It is all comedy gold.

[@hayseshouhda5730]

I always thought the Commando Elite looked so damn badass. I'd probably buy their toys all over again lol

[@ChromiumRanger]

Basicly Chip Hazard can be summed up as such: He was only following orders. (And yes I do mean his programing but you get the point)

[@Gamerguy826]

Well yes, but the reason that the Commandos were portrayed as the villains is because "just following orders" doesn't make you the hero, especially when brutality is brought to the table.

[@ChromiumRanger]

@@Gamerguy826 Exactly my point.

[@Abdega]

“I was only following orders, but damn was I good at it” - Chip probably

[@MidanMagistrate]

"Its a kids movie" The Boy's Mother: *Screams at him and asks him if hes on drugs*

[@TheSchnieder6]

Back when Small Soldiers came out, I was at the birthday party of a boy whose family where friends with my family. He was a couple years younger than me and I'd only been over to his house once or twice before. Him and his friends had the action figures of the Gorgonites and he had the movie poster on his wall of the commandos. Having never seen or heard of the movie prior to that day, I insisted that the "humans"(commandos) were the good guys. Cue the embarrassment of them assuming(rightfully so) that I'd never seen the movie. Thank you for making this video that vindicates my previously unfounded childhood claims.

[@smileydog5941]

Its like your whole life has lead up to this video

[@anaussie213]

Don't worry until you actually watch the movie you are supposed to think that. The year before tommy lee jones played the good guy in MIB which every kid saw so you were meant to assume he was the hero again.

[@callumwilliamson3059]

@@anaussie213 totally bro

[@arkadehorror]

The commandos are bad guys. They immediately committed war crimes. They mutilated Troglokhan and tortured Archer. Plus, the Gorgonites were able to advance from their initial programming and learn they needed to fight. The commandos were unable to learn anything, and it was only after the torture of Archer that Allan retaliated.

[@cellovision_]

I can´t believe in the name of incel lord Kyle Rittenhouse - *WHY FETISHIZING THE ARMY?!* *SICKOS!!!*

[@DSN262]

​@@cellovision_ Kid is a hero

[@thecrow7258]

When I was like 4 watching this movie I never thought I’d be 21 watching a moral debate about the motivations and actions of the toys in it 😂😂😂

[@fatbroccoli8]

Really takes the fun out of it lol

[@kristopherwatts9466]

You did sort if of the biggest points of all of this.. They were programmed with this idea of 'us vs. them' from the get go, to go along with this storyline that the company wanted to push

[@DarkAdonisVyers]

Most older children's war stories tended to do this. Heck, Golion actually had a deeper story, until it was dumbed down for Voltron.

[@whistler9788]

“Even if you can’t see something, doesn’t mean it isn’t there”

[@extraplain2412]

They should make an R rated sequel.

[@erikjimenez8671]

That was the initial plan, but DreamWorks wanted a movie to compete in toy story drop it to PG-13

[@Punisherfan123]

I always wanted the Commando Elite to win as a kid, and hoped a sequel where they were the good guys would happen.

[@ablaze1989]

The movie's setup is pretty much how the transformers become a thing. "Hey we bought the rights to a bunch of Japanise robot toys, create a story for them"

[@ablaze1989]

"Let them fight"

[@thecitizens4573]

it is a good movie on it's own. I really want them to be a sequel. Like what happened after the boat ? They really have a franchise in their hand. But seems like, to just ignore it. What a waste to a potentially great trilogy

[@Tahllia]

@@thecitizens4573 Not to mention that woulnd't the military now know that their chips have more potential?

[@MistarSandMan]

This movie is underrated imo

[@thecitizens4573]

it is a good movie on it's own. I really want them to be a sequel. Like what happened after the boat ? They really have a franchise in their hand. But seems like, to just ignore it. What a waste to a potentially great trilogy

[@animfan98]

Yeah, it's a great film. I think it was badly mismarketed, which is why it didn't really find its audience at the time.

[@HackerBilly13]

I do have to say. You have missed a very big scene in the beginning when the kid finds Chip and Archer before he got shot. You showed where he got shot but a few seconds before that if you listen you will hear Archer was like "The gorgonites are peaceful. We mean no harm" And chip said something like "Gorgon creature you are a disgrace and you will be vaporized." Then chip goes "civilian declare your allegiance" Archer also repeats the Beware there will be no mercy from what I assume is because Chip Hazard said it. You see him say it multiple times in the film himself. Like when Chip Hazard activates the troops. He looks at the camera at the end of the scene and says "There will be no mercy" But I do definitely see where you are coming from and I highly enjoyed the video. Small Soldiers is one of my favorite movies of all time and its always great to see someone bring it up as I feel like it never gets enough love

[@dakat5131]

I think Archer repeating that line was to convey to Alan/the audience(iirc) the nature of the situation: He's letting them know, that's what they're being faced with, perhaps even with the dismay and hopelessness of actually doing anything about it- But (clearly to me) NOT because that's their own words that they meant. (A nuance of communication) If it were less chanting an enemy saying to bring attention to it, it would have probably been translated to something like "(they said) there will be no mercy (for us)", though they might not have had the linguistics/culture to phrase it personally like that.

[@auburnkit]

Yeah i came here after watching the movie, damn first time in 20 years as well, and the points made were pretty inconsistent and times rather disingenuous to the order of events in the film. Totally agree with the whole following programming bit but eh, video feels to be leaning towards being a bit edgelord-ish.

[@thinnairr]

@@auburnkit art/writing with a message and things relating to politics often veer towards edge. Different strokes for different folks.

[@fatbroccoli8]

@@thinnairrthat's why I think he was wrong to describe it as edgy, highfalutin would be more accurate, spot on with disingenuous though

[@Eshtian]

So the video is bullshit. Gotcha.

[@alvinacosta9945]

Kinda look like Catachans without the red bandanas lol.

[@pedrokantor3997]

Catachans with the mechanical skills of Mekboyz.

[@bostontracy5151]

In maniacal Christy’s defense, you fight w/ whatever assets you can lay your hands on & whatever means are at your disposal, such as her size advantage over her Frankenstein Barbie dolls; and its hard for a civilian to NOT let the power go to her head when she’s thrust into a situation like that, that she never even dreamed of happening, & suddenly having game-changing power over her enemy(s).

[@Knifegash]

Perhaps that is why she should not have been allowed to commandeer such a powerful weapon. Someone doing what they need to do would take no pleasure from destroying an opposing ideologue, but just as you said, her naivety coupled with the clear depravity of seeing nothing wrong with stringing two opposing love interests over her should have disqualified her from taking a meaningful part in the fight. This film is rife with poignant messages for our current age!

[@StormX6]

She basically had an adrenaline rush, which is natural in “fight-or-flight” panic mode. I still don’t understand though why she says she hates the dolls, yet collected them

[@pontiusporcius8430]

The movie is a satire, it is condemning the military industrial complex and pro war propaganda.

[@mediocrecorps]

Nah. It was more of an attempt to make cash from the popularity of Toy Story. (Still a good movie, tho)

[@ScoutTrooperMan]

@@mediocrecorps or both

[@PrinceIro925]

Avatar kinda did the same thing, but I am more towards them trying to capitalize on Toy story, this is almost the same concept except the toys are war toys.

[@pontiusporcius8430]

I would argue that Small Soldiers is a bit more subtle and satirical, if not mostly for the fact that Globotech gets away with making terrorist action figures at the end of the movie.

[@jrotela]

@@mediocrecorps Actually, this movie came up at the same time

[@Law19157]

Oh wow, it's been that long since this movie came out. I'm 32 now I feel old.

[@jimdigitalvideo]

I watched this at the theaters in '98. I liked the twist when the Commandos turned out to be the bad guys. It was halfway through the movie when Chip Hazard was floating down the river and he saw the toy store containing more Commando toys that I figured it out. I was thinking 'That's a nice dark twist for a kids movie.'

[@fatbroccoli8]

What? They were always the bad guys

[@ArmyJuan1991]

@@fatbroccoli8na the commandos were meant to be the good guys and the gorginites as bad which the creators boss wanted. But when The chips were planted they became the bad guys cuz to us the watcher cuz we know what’s going on cuz both sides are following what they were programmed to do.

[@fatbroccoli8]

@@ArmyJuan1991 yeah but it's not a twist is what I'm saying, to the viewer they were always the bad guys... when they actually 'come to life' at least, before that it's just what they want to market them as, not what they actually are

[@George-Hawthorne]

This Video made me realize how ahead I was when I first saw this when I was six. I was rooting for the Commandoes the entire time.

[@RagnarOdinson]

- "And Kiersten Dunst was the Love of my Life." Lol I kinda had thing for Christina Ricci after I saw Casper around '95. LOL 😂!! (Crap!! Now I feel old...) Lol

[@GenerationFilms]

Solid choice!

[@markuhler2664]

Winona Ryder - especially in Heathers. Although Ricci ...

[@ElderNewt]

KD and Ricci back then... Noice stuff

[@akumaking1]

How about Scarlett Johansson in Eight-Legged Freaks?

[@casbot71]

The problem is when you watch their kids films 20 years later you suddenly feel very *creepy. _*exceptions for those of you who already feel creepy constantly anyway._

[@sebu6831]

"We've all done it" *Turns off Rimworld* Dont be ridiculous ...

[@JimRFF]

*keeps playing RimWorld because my human leather hat factory isn't going to optimize itself* ... Right. Ridiculous...

[@ImmaLittlePip]

Dang now I want to play rimworld again

[@TimmyTheTimeTraveler]

@@ImmaLittlePip Go. Create a new legacy. 🙂

[@Abdega]

@@ImmaLittlePip Oh hey! I think I remember you from the Zaibatsu diaspora and Oneyplays

[@azure8696]

Man does this take me back, I remember when Burger King was giving out small soldier toys in the happy meals at the time too.

[@ddooodddoo]

I loved watching this movie as a kid. It's a classic

[@dragoncdgoi5749]

I used to watch this movie every night before bed when I was a kid. Classic.

[@comettamer]

Brilliant video, honestly. Loved this movies as a kid, as an adult i think it's fun to analyze it. No character in this movie really stands out as purely good or evil. The Gorgonites and Commandos were following their programming, with the Gorgonites content to be left alone to search for their homeland, and the Commandos to seek out and eliminate them. The humans are either just trying to do their jobs or else trying to survive. Because of the Commandos programming, they used what was around them to crush the Gorgonites. Archers pronouncement of "there will be no mercy" is a reflection of this, as it was made clear to him by Chip Hazard previously. The Gorgonites defeatist attitude spawns from their programming, which dictated they were destined to lose. The only reason they even fought back was because they were pushed to it by Alan (who along with Krissy, did a vast majority of the fighting against the Commandos.) The humans were trying, in the case of the corporate bunch, trying to do their jobs. The rest (Alan, Krissy, etc) were trying to survive after being targeted by the Commandos for elimination. Which is why it's understandable why Krissy dud what she did to those dolls (although she did admit hating them too) and why the lawnmower is little more than a piece of artillery used to decimate the numerically superior Commandos forces.

[@joeyo9374]

You're forgetting that the dude who made the Gorgonites intended them to be lost aliens. He was forced to make them the commandoes enemies. The AI programing including that is a hole, but I think it was just over-looked.

[@KingOfCreampies]

I remember watching this for the first time when I was a kid. *sadness continues*

[@That80sGuy1972]

The Commandos were not really good guys. They were mission-driven soldiers, good guys by their perception and original objectives. The Gorgons were also good guys according to their perception and original narrative. Longview, the Gorgons were peace related, Commandos were combat mission related (will always find a new enemy to fight). The human element was important because who and what all were became real then. In who is good vs. evil, when made simple, the hippies (despite how pathetic) are easily more favoring good than any warrior when not doing that because of cowardice... like the Gorgons.

[@murder1625]

For humans you're right For them no

[@Knifegash]

A co-existence would have been necessary. If we side with the Gorgonites only, their peaceful ways would undoubtedly lead to a revolution in self-help, growth, spirituality, and morality, but without the staunch rigidity of the Commandos, would have led to complacency and unwillingness to do what needs to be done to protect their way of life, much like the film depicts when they have to use the Humans for aide. The Commandos muster forth from within themselves strong platitudes and adherence to code that allows them to break their limits and see objectives through while keeping their ethics within strict guidelines. But this can also be taken advantage of, leaving them open to being mislead and manipulated by not questioning the broader scale of their war. It's clear that one of the messages of the film is that despite our differences, we invariably need each other, whether that includes the conflicts it brings, or the ideal of uniting wholescale.

[@TheOwlofAthens]

'We often look back the the linchpin entities of science fiction while foregoing any preconceived notions about them that have been engrained in our psyches via the whims of the masses.' Man if only this was applied to Starship Troopers

[@akumaking1]

I remember this movie. It was fun. There needs to be a TF2 dub version of the Commando Elite

[@roadkillavenger1325]

Our childhood cartoons and movies should be revisited throughout life. Just because we grow up doesn't mean we're not allowed to still enjoy them. I live the way I want.

[@3starperfectdeer233]

When I was like 10 and watching this. I thought the computer guy saying "You want chips, I'll give you chips" I thought he meant like pringles and I was confused why i never saw any potato chips

[@jpcoqueran]

Thats adorable

[@user-fo7fl5gs9q]

Some really good chips.

[@parzivalSkywalker]

I actually refound this movie on VHS last year and it's as good as I remember it

[@dabba_dabba]

I remember seeing this film in theaters as a kid. I had brought some of the promo toys from Burger King and thought the commandos were going to be the good guys. I remember my little kid brain being shocked it was the Gorgonites who were the protagonist but I ended up loving the movie so much because of it.

[@charleswinthrop5929]

The truly cool thing about this movie was that several of the cast members who portrayed the small were ALSO cast members of the WW2 movie The Dirty Dozen

[@MattSipka]

There’s a moment early on in the film when Alan and the truck driver test out Chip Hazard and Archer. While they leave the toys unattended, they interact with one another. So while Alan is negotiating a deal to sell the toys in his dad’s store, Chip and Archer are arguing and their programming makes each of them see the other side as hostile.

[@guidorussoheck2100]

ufff they basically died running out o batteries in that ship.

[@thecitizens4573]

I really want them to be a sequel. Like what happened after the boat ? They really have a franchise in their hand. But seems like, to just ignore it. What a waste to a potentially great trilogy

[@chasecharland1160]

The Gorgons are made after the gorinopsia, an extinct creature dating back to be for the dinosaurs, the main gorgonite Archer looks exactly like a gorgonid Look it up, it's really cool and I'm not even sure if any one but the creators know it.

[@fangadorawolfen6164]

i found no search results

[@Intrepid_Crusader1096]

@@fangadorawolfen6164 I think he meant Gorgonopsid.

[@Knifegash]

That HAS to be intentional! This film is way, way ahead of its time!

[@chasecharland1160]

@@Intrepid_Crusader1096 yes sorry lol weird species weird animals

[@fatbroccoli8]

I don't buy it, looks more like a skag from Borderlands

[@Kids_Scissors]

I love these kinds of videos that explore the villains as characters more than just the antagonist role

[@thing1thing2themediamaniac43]

I love SMALL SOLDIERS. It's one of my all time favorite films from my adolescence. I'm 33 years old and I watch SMALL SOLDIERS frequently. I still have The VHS that I got for my 11th birthday

[@cattysplat]

These childhood movies are such classics. They don't make 'em like they used to.

[@thing1thing2themediamaniac43]

@@cattysplat YOU'RE DAMN RIGHT If you were watch SMALL SOLDIERS on your laptop or tablet in public You'd probably be lynched for being a Nazi

[@Gussyboy06]

7:45 they had him unarmed and technically as a PoW, so they just broke the Geneva convention laws

[@rannenw6207]

No when clearing a building like they were doing you detain all noncombatants so it isn't against the laws of war. We only saw the after math but the boy was unharmed and still alive. The parents being a bigger threat the put them to sleep instead of killing then detained Wendy. The boyfriend however showed to be hostile and so was treated as such.

[@Gussyboy06]

@@rannenw6207 I was talking about when they executed that soldier by putting him in the garbage disposal

[@Airman2092]

Are you talking about when they captured the commando and shoved him into the disposal? If so them technically they did...however if memory serves the US did not sign the Geneva convention. I believe I remember there was a news article years ago that stated the Geneva convention as the Geneva suggestions... Not sure if it was a real article or a meme I saw once. Please do not get angry with me it is just something that I remembered seeing.

[@luisjaime2567]

This was actually a good movie so underrated I can’t believe as directed by Joe Dante

[@BuckyTheRedDeer]

Never had thought about it that way, then again last time I saw it was a long time ago. GREAT! Time to rewatch it!

[@goblintacos88]

I love this movie, this is one I haven't seen in a long time, I've got to find this one again, thanks for the nostalgia!

[@theoceanbuilderproduction8819]

Small soldiers, toy storyline where commandos landed gorgon planet and attacking the alien gorgonnites, it just that storyline gave me avatar vibe

[@exodia9817]

8:59-9:11 Nick Nitro: Did...we win? Chip Hazard: We will. (x2) Nick Nitro's battery has run out, but his memory will keep going and going and going. His death will be avenged. RIP Nick Nitro - A good soldier, and an even better demolitionist.

[@cheyennemonger7959]

Dude this is one of my most favorite movie in the 90s, just watched it a few months ago. Thanks for the great feedback and new look on it. Dang

[@tuando6333]

Really glad someone is finally giving this movie some love!

[@luigi55125]

Woooooo! It seemed like everyone had forgotten this movie ever existed, leaving me feel a bit odd since it was my #1 favorite movie as a kid, only being potentially contested by the pokemon movie. I was obsessed with it. I even had a lot of the action figures. But then I saw this video, was reassured that other people are actually acknowledging it's existence in 2020, and now all is well.

[@arowan8170]

At the end of the show when the CEO is writing the checks to pay for the houses/toy assault damage, got a feeling he knew that he stumbled across a multi-billion find, as what are the military applications of the "toys"?

[@ConfusedGuardsman]

Programmable soldiers capable of infiltrating every country on the planet. You could plant entire armies, strike teams, and spy cells in every country on the planet.

[@arowan8170]

@@ConfusedGuardsman and they are cheap enough to be sold as children's toys...

[@ConfusedGuardsman]

@@arowan8170 thats the scariest part. There's almost no limit to how many you can make.

[@arowan8170]

@@ConfusedGuardsman I know, and in the movie they don't have anything other than toy guns. give them actual firearms...

[@halcionkoenig243]

Autonomous Drones

[@antonslavic1892]

finnaly, was cheering for the commandos the entire time! AWsome childhood movie i might say

[@saiyancartoonwarrior9922]

When I was a kid, I used to like to image The Commando Elite were brought back to life some how, and worked together with the Gorganites to fight some kind of common enemy.

[@kentonmiles]

I bought my nephew the toys when they came out. He's 21 now and we found them in his closet in 2020 after all these years.

[@kentonmiles]

henry brilliant Iol

[@tonycruise]

they were roaming around this whole time, they just barely went back because of covid stay at home mandates

[@Komplexitet]

I love how you mention really horrible things done by the commandos and say that its okay. But the gorgonites talking, that is the true evil mhmm

[@thatdoppioguy1825]

**He quite literally said both sides weren’t the evil**

[@foisopracurtir6389]

And the "will be no mercy" thing? It's one of the Commandos's catchphrases, and Arch said it after know that the other Gorgonoid seemed have been genocided.

[@abucket14]

I haven't watched it as an adult, but you bring up some very interesting points.

[@brandonaughtman9091]

Your video only increased my love for the Commando Elites. I would so want to see them just as their own thing.

[@theflashpr787]

I wish they could’ve made a part 2 years ago.. one of my favorite childhood movies 💯 if they ever make a sequel or even a remake, my life would be complete.

[@JacatackLP]

Hmmmn the pattern of apologia for genocidal maniacs is getting weird

[@chadspessmehren2418]

*heroic exterminators

[@HaloisTight]

The channel really likes this xenophobic idea of human supremacy.

[@kyledayton7829]

@@HaloisTight yep

[@kyledayton7829]

@Amber Hoke actually I have a degree in the subject

[@JohnJohnson-mf3dv]

It's just critical thinking with objective logic.

[@pedrokantor3997]

How they cobble together weapons reminds me of the Orks.

[@n4m31355h4dow]

I will just say that since my childhood i would have love to see a crossover between small soldier and gremlins. The commando fighting the gremlins and gizmo befriend the gorgonite

[@disneyknightspadilla1406]

Actually that sounds like a good idea but I wish I couldn't get those things because I already seen Gremlins and gizmo around but unfortunately I don't have the power for that yet. But I do have archer and Chip hazard. But imagine if they do make a movie they can be main protagonist in the wrong ways without their presence. Like a redeemed version of Chip hazard would save the day by destroying all the Gremlins before they create chaos. While archer will protect Gizmo with his life.

[@fatbroccoli8]

Add 'Critters' to the mix too lol

[@lightningmchick8948]

I've always kind of looked at them as cowboys and Indians.

[@DeadDogInc]

I loved this movie when I was a kid. The commandos were my favorite. I was so mad that they never actually sold the toys. I need to watch this again

[@thecitizens4573]

I really want them to be a sequel. Like what happened after the boat ? They really have a franchise in their hand. But seems like, to just ignore it. What a waste to a potentially great trilogy

[@fysean]

They did sell the toys. I had a couple gorgonite

[@DeadDogInc]

@fysean What really? I never saw an advertisement. 😭

[@justanobadi6655]

I always sided with the commandos as a kid, which is probably why I main the imperial guard in 40k

[@Gamerguy826]

Same. I still know all the names of the Commando Elite by heart.

[@safwanshuhaib9968]

For the emperor and the good of mankind

[@erikf.7696]

Purge the xenos, the mutant, the heretic.

[@justanobadi6655]

@random user I miss being a teenager

[@Wiki1184]

This brings me back. I gotta watch this movie again.

[@actionman9451]

I loved this series it’s an underrated gem of its time. Sid definitely wouldn’t of wanted to mess with these toys. I felt bad for the Commando’s they were just doing what they were programmed to do and only got more aggressive after loosing so many of their comrades to the humans.

[@Pensive_Scarlet]

So the one side gets a pass because they were programmed to believe the other side is bad, but the other side doesn't get the same pass even though they were also programmed to believe the one side is bad? I mean, I get what you're trying to do here, I just wish you had put some effort into doing it. ;p

[@jamesouimet1870]

warning shots are not meant to reach a target, making the "harmless" warning shot an actual attempt to a kill shot with toy guns. That prompted them to discard the weaponry they possessed with some homemade weapons

[@WhenToastersAttack]

The thing I remember most about this movie is the irl toys they sold were amazing.

[@alexkaen1701]

You do realize you showed the clip of one Commando setting a kid on fire, right?

[@enovos3138]

I love this series! The Avatar one was my favorite and I'm glad to see small soldiers here.

[@volbound1700]

The whole movie is one big, clever comedy skit. Nothing in it was intended to be taken seriously. It is full of one-liners and hilarious spoofs. Ever engagement/scene is intended to evoke laughter. I enjoyed it.

[@jokestar2577]

As a kid the Commandos were definitely my favorite, they were doing all the awesome stuff and, though the Gorgonauts were bullied, their main fight was against humans who were vastly superior in strength and the Commandos had to fight them only with wit and strategy (as their equipment was useless, as toys).

[@TamTroll]

i was just thinking i should watch this movie again... thanks for the reinforcement to that idea.

[@AvengerSasuke14]

"Declare your allegiance!" That's all I needed to hear to understand the commandos

[@luisemoralesfalcon4716]

I love this film, thanks for this video.

[@therogueprince3790]

Mid 30s and I actually found my old commando elite and gorgonite figures about a month ago. Oh the nostalgia.

[@jamoecw]

well comparing Avatar to Small Soldiers i would say that Avatar had more naked females, but it was alien females and they used 'mosaic censorship' which really hurts the naked female thing. the story was better in Small Soldiers, and was roughly equal in realism. so in the end Small Soldiers was better.

[@disneyknightspadilla1406]

I should remind you that the main bad guy in Avatar resembles the chip.

[@jamoecw]

@@disneyknightspadilla1406 you are right, i missed that.

[@luismarioguerrerosanchez4747]

Saying Small Soldiers is the child of Avatar and Toy Story was an idiotic statement considering that Small Soldiers came 12 years before.

[@phatboi9760]

Definetly a different perslective for sure. Loved this movie as a child watched it a few months back so many memories... oh and who didnt crush hard on Kirsten Dunst 🥰 when they were a kid.

[@MrMrx123456789]

I will be shocked and happy if they release a Revised Kenner Tribute of the figures

[@gameboy_colorful7078]

Had this on VHS and watched it all the time.