Rather similar to Dante's earlier Gremlins
films (which are explicitly
referenced a couple of times), this still works well enough on its own
terms. The super-intelligent toys intent on their own war are given
characters courtesy of some famous names (The Dirty Dozen + Tommy Lee Jones
on one side, versus Spinal Tap on the other), yet the special FX never
overpower. "This would make one hell of a commercial", mutters toy company
executive Dennis Leary, and you can't
help feeling this may have been a merchandise-first concept. However, there
is enough imagination, invention and humour (much of which will sail well
over the heads of any children in the audience) to keep everything buoyant
and frothy, with the Barbie Dolls From Hell an especial highlight.
B
