 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Format: VHS
Sep 2002
Rated PG-13
Recording Mode: Stereo
Sound: HiFi, Stereo
Closed Captioned
121 min.
Color
UPC: 086162199233 |
|
|
|
|
|
Details
Movie Description
Robin Williams stars in this surreal antiwar fantasy directed by Barry Levinson (RAIN MAN, DINER). Williams plays Leslie Zevo, the son of a fun-loving toymaker. Leslie and his sister, Alsatia (Joan Cusack,) grew up surrounded by their father's whimsical creations in the fantastic factory that he built. When their father dies, the children find that he has left his beloved business in the hands of his brother, a warmonger general (Michael Gambon), thinking that despite his children's love of the company, they don't have minds for business. Unable to disregard his military sensibilities, the general embarks on his own secret project in an effort to make toys that fulfill his confrontational nature, developing video games for children that actually control live weapons. Upon discovering their uncle's diabolical plan, Leslie and Alsatia set out to stop the general in his tracks and save their father's dream factory from manufacturing lethal weapons. Levinson's interesting social commentary also features rapper LL Cool J as the general's son, Patrick, a military man who specializes in camouflage; and Robin Wright as Leslie's love interest.
Synopsis
Barry Levinson's surreal, anti-war fantasy about a crazed general who takes over a toy factory. When the benevolent patriarch who founded the factory dies, his offspring Leslie and Alsatia -- adults who live in a state of permanent childhood surrounded by their father's fanciful creations -- are passed over for inheritance in favor of their militaristic uncle. Still smarting over the end of the Cold War, the General decides to start manufacturing toy nuclear weapons which children can control via video games. As Leslie and Alsatia begin to uncover their uncle's diabolical plan, the whimsical siblings realize that it's up to them to stop their father's happy palace of playthings from being transformed into a deadly weapons plant.
Film Notes
Theatrical release: December 1992.
TOYS is reportedly the first movie Barry Levinson wanted to direct. The script was in development for 12 years while he directed such hits as DINER, RAIN MAN, and GOOD MORNINGn VIETNAM.
Alan Adler served as the film's toy consultant. He scoured antique shops and flea markets in search of perfect prototypes for Zevo's toy factory.
Industry Reviews
"...A chaotic fantasy set in a brilliantly vivid, Surreal landscape..."
New York Times - Vincent Canby (12/18/1992)
"...A delight for the eyes....The production creates a wonderful world..."
Chicago Sun-Times - Roger Ebert (12/23/1992)
Quotations
"My God, FAO Schwarzkopf!"--Leslie Zevo (Robin Williams), upon discovering the truth about the general's private laboratory
"Let joy and innocence prevail."--motto of toy factory owner Kenneth Devo (Donald O'Connor)
|
|
|
|
All rights reserved.
