The Toy Soldiers (2014) User Reviews

Surprisingly Good

[johntomccarty · 8/10 · 13 June 2014]

Saw At Dances With Films and never spent so much time thinking of a film There is no doubt, this is an amazing combination of film meets movie and art meets commerce. It is no ordinary movie. The mood and stories and characters keep building, and when it finally comes down, I feel this immense sense of relief and wonder at how Erik Peter Carlson was able to come up with something so clever and intertwining and wondrous, and was able to pull it off. The cast, as you have probably read, is superb. I have never been so impressed. This film has "restored my faith in the film making industry. To see these actors, crew, and the writer/director/genius at work is inspiring." These people obviously love their craft.

The soundtrack, oh, the soundtrack. When listening to the songs, I can picture each exact moment as if I was watching the movie all over again, and it brings unexplainable feeling. Daily Bread and Gliss' songs, especially, are a perfect fit to a perfect story and mood. If you want to see glorious film making, acting, writing, and characters in action, I HIGHLY suggest you see The Toy Soldiers.

The Youth of This Sick Country

[FarandFewBetween · 13 June 2014]

Erik Peter Carlson has broken the boundaries with this film. It is one of the realist depictions of our countries' youth. I never once saw this as a shock film, I saw honesty and truth behind every scene. This is really what is happening in our backyards. Kids are not as young as they used to be, and are growing up in a world with more possibilities and distractions than ever before. This is the modern world, and these are the newest leaders.

While this is not what happens with all of our youth, it does paint a beautiful picture of just a handful. This is happening all over this country. In the wealthy, poor, and everything in- between, our children are experimenting without any form of education or realization of their actions.

This is better and more honest than any reality program out there and it may scare the daylights out of you. This is our world, we must change it. F**king brilliant. Want to see it again.

Gem of a movie

[hetty007 · 8/10 · 11 December 2014]

Once the movie Toy Soldiers marches into your life, it will never march out. It was meant for Erik Peter Carlson to take the journey, and bring this movie to life. The casting choice for Toy Soldiers was excellent. The movie has fresh new faces of young actors and actresses, playing alongside a few seasoned veterans of the business. Together, they portray the rawness and pure emotional characters of teenagers, family and friends, during one particular evening in the 1980s. The movie immensely captivates as you sink into the midst of the story and you can sense with vigor the emotional wounds of the teenagers and their families, the distress, the sadness, the hope and the love. There are no illusions in this movie, as it plays out in depth what happens that one destined evening translating the good and bad encountered by the cast onto the big screen. This movie definitely is worthy of repetitive viewing. I applaud Erik Peter Carlson and the cast of Toy Soldiers on a journey well-traveled together in order to bring about this wonderful original gem for movie fans.

A Perfect Compliment to the 80's w Dynamic Characterization

[santrisenicole · 13 November 2014]

The Toy Soldiers is an incredible film that progressively builds in a nearly effortless way. From start to finish, the cast delivers epic performances leading to the ultimate crescendo: an ending like no other.

The film is precise in resonating with the true essence of the time period and authentically portrays pervasive themes of the 1980's while illustrating the ties that bind individuals, families, and friends.

This was my first introduction to several cast members but their performances and portrayals were outstanding nonetheless. I experienced MANY emotions during the viewing, which I consider a great feat for the ensemble because great films are known to make one cry and laugh all at the same time. In this specific case, I did both.

great direction, outstanding acting

[vsvekis · 10/10 · 10 July 2014]

We were fortunate to see the premier at the Chinese Theatre in LA. First and foremost the composition of the film was excruciatingly crisp. There were no "what was that about?" moments. Acting was individually high quality and together created synergy exceeding the sum of the individuals. Further, I could not analyze every actor or actress but in two instances there were flashes of young Gregory Peck and Tom Cruise. That's not a hype but just hit me as I watched certain three second camera pick-ups. I am intrigued if others will see these resemblances when the film is shown to a wide range of audiences.

Sound track meshed with the period and film's meaning. I will get the soundtrack when it becomes available.

Some will find the film disturbing. Art should have that effect. The greatest compliment to a film is its ability to affect the watcher not through banalities but psychological turmoil.

See this film when it is shown in your locality.

An Indie Masterpiece with Warnings

[ThomasAtTheMovies · 10/10 · 9 July 2014]

I know that there are people who have different tastes, and maybe some older viewers will not be able to relate to it, or appreciate it. However, at the risk of sounding like a dick, I can confidently say that those are people I would not want to know anyways. This is a film that does what great films are supposed to do; that is to transcend our daily lives and bring us joy and fear at the same time. There are a few films that can be called indie masterpieces because all the different film elements that are brought together have a unique quality and vision and the final result is something more special than the sum of the elements themselves.

The soundtrack features some of the best music in recent times, in terms of making you feel joyous, and impervious to the world's problems. Mostly contributed by Daily Bread.

Erik Peter Carlson direction is even; giving the audience plenty of music and show stopping bits, yet unafraid to lure you back to the grim reality of what our heroes are always up against. The story is equal parts dramatic, comedic, exhilarating, and pensive, and moves along just as rhythmically as the music.

It's a wonderful, disturbing film that is meant to reach the youth by not holding back. It accomplishes this with great taste and with incredible form. Amazing movie.

Excellent Film!

[craigbruss-62-173809 · 10/10 · 8 January 2021]

The Toy Soldiers is an Excellent Film that takes place in the 80's. It's a High School drama everyone can relate to. Erik Peter Carlson did a wonderful job writing, Directing and Producing this film. He's down to earth and fun to work with!