Action Man-type figures fitted with deadly microprocessors go on menacing manoeuvres in this Gremlins-meets-Toy Story war fantasy from director Joe Dante, which takes a long time setting up its simple premise but is worth the wait. The movie's slick professionalism and technical brilliance keep the awkward mixture of mirth and mayhem from becoming too uncomfortable an experience. Crafty nods to classic war films such as Patton, the creepy Gwendy doll sequence and the GI Joes being voiced by the likes of Tommy Lee Jones, Ernest Borgnine and Bruce Dern also help maintain the interest for adults as well as youngsters. Yet this mix of technology-run-amok and children's nightmare sometimes takes belief a bridge too far.

When missile technology is used to enhance toy action figures, the toys soon begin to take their battle programming too seriously.