People often say that “the past is in the past,” but here at Wheeljack’s Lab, we’re all too familiar with the alluring nostalgic appeal of vintage toys. Today, we’re turning back the clock to 1998, the year of the original Small Soldiers action figures and film.
The Small Soldiers Film
In 1998, the world was introduced to the movie Small Soldiers. This DreamWorks film spun an intriguing tale about GloboTech Industries, a defense contractor that acquires the Heartland Toy Company. The CEO of GloboTech commissions toy designers to develop interactive toys that can “play back.” The result? Two memorable toy lines – the Commando Elite, a group of militaristic action figures, and the Gorgonites, strange alien-like creatures – both intended for educational purposes.
The premise of the Small Soldiers film and its subsequent toys beautifully encapsulates the surprise that comes with unintended outcomes. The designers were under a tight deadline, and the toys were accidentally equipped with a GloboTech microprocessor. This mishap added a dimension of reality to these playthings, transforming them from ordinary toys into small soldiers with a mind of their own.
The Original Small Soldiers Action Figures
The magic and excitement of the film didn’t stop at the big screen. The same year, the toy industry introduced the original Small Soldiers action figures. These toys, manufactured by Kenner, a Hasbro subsidiary, embodied the movie’s spirit and became instant classics. The figures enabled fans to bring their favorite characters from the film to life, fueling imaginative play and storytelling.
Kenner intricately designed the figures to echo their movie counterparts’ personalities, combining the cinematic charm with the tangible delight of action figures. The Small Soldiers figures truly blurred the line between the toy and movie world, a testament to Kenner’s craftsmanship.
The Small Soldiers craze even spread to the world of video games. A thrilling game based on the film was also launched in 1998, inviting fans to explore the Small Soldiers universe in a new format.
Conclusion
Over two decades later, the Small Soldiers action figures continue to captivate collectors, serving as an emblem of an era when movie-based toys were at the zenith of popularity. At Wheeljack’s Lab, we cherish the nostalgia and craftsmanship that these figures represent. With their blend of imagination, technology, and education, the Small Soldiers figures truly stand as iconic vintage toys that left an indelible mark on toy history.
Do you have old and used Small Soldiers toys?
If you have a collection of old and used toys, you can turn those toys into cash. There is no reason to let those old toys collect dust. Contact us today to sell your Small Soldiers toy collection.
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About the Author
Author: Chris Ingledue
Contact: email
Bio: I am the founder and owner of Wheeljack’s Lab pop Culture and Toy Shop. My vision has always been to reunite customers with their favorite childhood toys and pop culture, triggering fond memories, and reigniting their imaginations. Every day, I work in the “lab” where it’s Christmas 365 days a year. I scour the internet, like when we had the Sears Catalog of yesteryear, for the next great treasure. Then, I await the arrival of the postman as if he were Santa Claus himself and helping collectors worldwide with their versions of Christmas. Every day as a vintage toy buyer is an absolute joy!