Small Soldiers (1998)

Small Soldiers poster

Universal Pictures
Starring: Gregory Smith, Frank Langella
Directed by: Joe Dante

Cat Out of the Bag Alert! This review contains some spoilers for this film!

Synopsis: Alan Abernathy (Gregory Smith) is a boy who tries to help out his father’s small toy shop by getting hold of some high tech toys before they launch, not realizing the action figures have been programmed using military intelligence and will inevitably run amok.

Featured Feline: Alan’s family owns a grey and white tabby cat whose name is never mentioned. When Alan brings home one of the toys, the leader of the Gorgonites named Archer (voiced by Frank Langella), it starts to learn via Alan’s computer. The cat suddenly appears and approaches the toy.

Small Soldiers - gray and white cat crossing desk

The cat immediately takes a liking to Archer, licking his head. Something was likely smeared on the toy’s head to make the cat lick it.

Small Soldiers - gray and white tabby cat sniffing at Archer toy Gorgonite

Small Soldiers - gray and white tabby cat licking Archer toy Gorgonite

Small Soldiers - gray and white cat tabby licking Archer toy Gorgonite animated gif

Small Soldiers - gray and white tabby cat beside Archer toy Gorgonite

Alan wakes up and sees the cat by the toy and calls out. The cat runs from the room.

Small Soldiers - gray and white tabby cat beside Archer toy Gorgonite on desk

Small Soldiers - gray and white tabby cat running out of room

Later Alan brings all the Gorgonites home when he learns the other toys, the Commando Elite, intends to destroy them. The cat is sitting in the bedroom watching the peaceful Gorgonites play.

Small Soldiers - gray and white tabby cat sitting in bedroom with Alan Gregory Smith and Gorgonites

Small Soldiers - gray and white tabby cat reaching out with paw

The cat seems particularly interested in one Gorgonite named Scratch-It, who is seen swimming in a fishtank.

Small Soldiers - gray and white tabby cat looking at fish tank

Small Soldiers - gray and white tabby cat looking into fish tank

Small Soldiers - gray and white tabby cat looking at Gorgonite Scratch-It in fish tank

After it is clear the toys are malfunctioning, their creator Irwin Wayfair (David Cross) shows up to the Abernathy’s home. He is shocked to see that his toys have become so lifelike.

Small Soldiers - Irwin David Cross looking at Gorgonites and gray and white tabby cat on table

Small Soldiers - gray and white tabby cat on table with Gorgonites

The Abernathy home is soon under siege by numerous members of the Commando Elite who shoot fireballs through the window. When one barely misses the cat, the mother, Irene (Ann Magnuson) gets serious and lobs a fireball back at the attackers using a tennis racket.

Small Soldiers - fireball flying towards gray and white tabby cat