Small Soldiers (lost deleted scenes from action comedy film; 1998): Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 13:50, 17 April 2021

The film's theatrical poster.

Status: Lost

Small Soldiers is an action comedy film released on July 10th, 1998, by director Joe Dante, who is best known for directing Gremlins. The plot concerns prototype figures from a 'military vs aliens'-themed toyline who have accidentally gained sentience and take their fight to the human world.

Originally, the film was designed as an R-rated dark satire, in keeping with Dante's signature approach. At the last minute the producers determined it had more appeal as a PG-13 action-comedy. As a result many scenes were cut from the film in a (not-entirely-successful) effort to switch focus.

As Dante recalled it:

"I was told to make an edgy picture for teenagers, but when the sponsor tie-ins came in the new mandate was to soften it up as a kiddie movie. Too late, as it turned out, and there are elements of both approaches in there. Just before release, it was purged of a lot of action and explosions."^[1]

While a few deleted scenes have since been released as DVD extras, the most violent ones remain lost save for brief glimpses in very early trailers and TV spots.

These include a shot of Commando Butch Meathook causing the Abernathy house to explode, seen in several trailers; the ruins of the house can still be seen in the background of the finished film near the end, as Stuart Abernathy complains to Gil Mars. Also fully lost is a scene of the Commandos scaling human legs with grappling hooks.

Reference

↑ The Den of Geek interview with Joe Dante that mentions Small Soldiers' development. Retrieved 28 Feb '20

[1] The Den of Geek interview with Joe Dante that mentions Small Soldiers' development. Retrieved 28 Feb '20

[1]

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-{{NeedingWork|lack of content, references, and clarity}}
+{{InfoboxLost
-Small Soldiers is a Action/Comedy film released in July 10, 1998 by director Joe Dante, Who is best known for directing "Gremlins"
+|title=<center>Small Soldiers (deleted scenes)</center>
+|image=Small soldiers poster.jpeg
+|imagecaption=The film's theatrical poster.
+|status=<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>
+}}
+''Small Soldiers'' is an action comedy film released on July 10th, 1998, by director Joe Dante, who is best known for directing ''Gremlins''. The plot concerns prototype figures from a 'military vs aliens'-themed toyline who have accidentally gained sentience and take their fight to the human world.
-Due to pressure by Dreamworks to make the film more Kid Friendly for tie-ins many of things were cut from the film, Which included alot of more gruesome action & some intense explosions. & while a few deleted scenes are up from the DVD Release. There is no sign of some scenes deleted due to violence. Only a few seconds of some of the deleted scenes were seen on many trailers or TV Spots
+Originally, the film was designed as an R-rated dark satire, in keeping with Dante's signature approach. At the last minute the producers determined it had more appeal as a PG-13 action-comedy. As a result '''many scenes were cut from the film''' in a (not-entirely-successful) effort to switch focus.
-As Director Joe Dante once recalled.
+As Dante recalled it:
-"Originally I was told to make an edgy picture for teenagers, but when the sponsor tie-ins came in the new mandate was to soften it up as a kiddie movie. Too late, as it turned out, and there are elements of both approaches in there. Just before release it was purged of a lot of action and explosions."
+<blockquote>
+"I was told to make an edgy picture for teenagers, but when the sponsor tie-ins came in the new mandate was to soften it up as a kiddie movie. Too late, as it turned out, and there are elements of both approaches in there. Just before release, it was purged of a lot of action and explosions."<ref>[https://www.denofgeek.com/us/movies/gremlins/13227/the-den-of-geek-interview-joe-dante The Den of Geek interview with Joe Dante that mentions ''Small Soldiers''' development.] Retrieved 28 Feb '20</ref></blockquote>
-A shot of a Commando (Butch Meathook) causing the Abernathy house to explode is seen in several trailers but was cut, The ruins of the house are seen in the background at the end of the the movie as Stuart Abernathy complains to Gil Mars. As well as a scene of the Commandos & Major Chip Hazzard armed with Grappling Hooks running through the legs of the humans.
+While a few deleted scenes have since been released as DVD extras, the most violent ones remain lost save for brief glimpses in very early trailers and TV spots.
-The film apparently was rumored at one point that it fought an "R" Rating but gotten the PG-13 rating after editing just before it released.
+These include a shot of Commando Butch Meathook causing the Abernathy house to explode, seen in several trailers; the ruins of the house can still be seen in the background of the finished film near the end, as Stuart Abernathy complains to Gil Mars. Also fully lost is a scene of the Commandos scaling human legs with grappling hooks.
+==Reference==
+{{reflist}}
+[[Category:Lost animation]]
 [[Category:Lost films]]
+[[Category:Completely lost media]]