MovieChat Forums > Toy Soldiers (1991) Discussion > Serious flaw

Serious flaw

posted 19 years ago by s_jester
30 replies | jump to latest

This is from Roger Ebert's one-star review of the movie. I do like the movie, but seriously agree with his point. The scriptwriters must have had a brain fart here...

"Since the plot of the movie is utterly predictable, we hope at least for some cleverness in the gimmicks. Here the movie is so disappointing that I wonder if the screenwriters were really trying.

Why, for example, establish that the kids can tap into a phone line, if later in the movie they don't use that skill to communicate to the U.S. troops surrounding the school? The movie is so absent-minded that even the kid who's the ringleader forgets about the phone gimmick, and goes to great trouble to sneak out of the grounds through a forgotten drain pipe, in order to give information he could simply have phoned in."

Anyone else agree?

[–] starbuck_kara 19 years ago

But the wire tapping device was destroyed. The dean made Billy stomp on it.

[–] vassan-1 19 years ago

Plus the fact that we clearly see the one white-guy terrorist snip all the phone lines from the switchbox at the beginning of the takeover.

[–] 19 years ago

[deleted]

[–] jwmoore727 18 years ago

also when Billy goes to give them the info he gives them detailed pics of where they are and what they look like.

[–] pstonej 18 years ago

Actually, you only see billy smash the speaker, not the phone. Billy smashing the speaker is also the last shot of that action before gossett says "ok, that's enough," or something to that effect. However, I do agree that it seems stupid to introduce it and then have nothing to do with the plot, though it does display his engineuity. (sp) --

To respond to Jwmoore727: It's really not pertinant to have drawn them because they were on TV when they took over the house of justice in colombia, plus if a guy is demanding that his father be released, you can pretty much assume that his son it the one making the demand and find out that way. They did use the information of where they were. They talked about it in the sit room.

But hey, it's a crappy movie, but stuff blows up, I was entertained.

[–] standbyme555 18 years ago

Can't people just enjoy a movie w/out pointing out all the mistakes???

"I don't shut up, I grow up. And when I look at you I throw up. Aaaaaaaaaaaa!"

[–] BradBear85 18 years ago

some yes...Most no..

LOL This movie rules!! I jus found it in my colletion!! YEAAAH im gonna watch it!!

[–] astimoli 9 years ago

Well considering there was a period of time between Colombia and the school it's possible the terrorist got further re-enforcements to help them in a kidnapping in America. Also what makes you think the kids were aware of all the details that happened in Colombia?

[–] [deleted] 4 years ago

Yeah, sometimes Ebert didn't pay attention to details in his reviews.

[–] mrham1 18 years ago

I cant disagree more with this what so ever. This movie was absolutely brilliant in all aspects. About the phone thing.. dont you think they would have did that then risking breaking out and re-entering the school grounds? Perhaps I just see things to logical. But yes the most obvious flaw with YOUR argument is indeed the part where all of the phone lines get the snip by the terrorist guy. If you have no logic, but yet no sense of reality either, then dont watch this or ANY movie!

[–] standbyme555 18 years ago

Thank you with agreeing with me.

"I don't shut up, I grow up. And when I look at you I throw up. Aaaaaaaaaaaa!"

[–] martijannetti 18 years ago

The phone thing was just a way to set up that those group of boys, Sean Astin's character in particular are smarter than the average high schooler. Logically, not a bad movie, the only thing that doesn't make sense is how the boys are loaded into dorms.

[–] crusadaplayer06-2 18 years ago

they wouldnt need the fone they told the army everything they needed to no when sean astin made that really cool run to them

[–] 18 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Lifeguardfan 18 years ago

I think the point of the phone scene in the beginning was more for character development than anything. It was proof that Billy was smart and logical, and the fact that he's forced to destroy the device in the beginning forces him to think of different ways to contact the "outside world".

[–] JuniorWay 17 years ago

Hey

Because S Jester the phone gimmick was destroyed when Billy was asked to smash it. This was the scene after they were in the basement. I am sure that he didnt get into to get another one as it was only the day or two after the terrorists took over the school.

But I see your point.

[–] SyzyDamo 16 years ago

Everyone seems to be missing the point of the phone tapping scene. It WASNT to prove he could tap a phoneline, but to establish that, although having an aversion to authority, he possessed leadership skills and a knack at problem solving. These turned out to be key elements working for him later in the film.

[–] MelodyHart 16 years ago

Also wouldn't you think the headmaster of the school would have taken the phone tap thing away from him? Even if he didn't jump on it the headmaster would have taken this item and thrown it away or something. Just like he took up all the mouthwash.

[–] Professor197331 15 years ago

Everyone you still have to remember that the phone lines were cut so the phone would not Have work anyway. second the whole point of switching the chips were to give the movie an exciting twist. It wold be more difficult to get in be basement were the phone was & would not have worked because the lines were cut even though the terrorist did not know about the basement. You also have to remember when the boys were tapping into the phone the headmaster (Gossitt listen to the conversation) because the phone in use light was blinking so the head terrorist would have known. He may not have known where they were talking at, but would known someone was on a phone. Plus it would been impossible for one them to get into the basement because the entrance was in the kitchen the terrorist had everything covered not to mention the basement was the back-up just in case.

[–] Remisser 15 years ago

Maybe the phone was confiscated....maybe the terrorists had a close eye on what the kids were doing so they couldn't just get away to tap the lines and as someone else put it....the lines were cut.

[–] VanHalen1417 15 years ago

it was irony. Roger Ebert tried to hard to bash this film. Shortly after an alternative device used for communication is destroyed by the teacher, they get into a situation where it could have been useful.

[–] subdivisions73 14 years ago

This movie was AWESOME and Ebert's whole theory on the movie doesn't hold water. What a dumbass.

[–] 14 years ago

[deleted]

[–] SunflowerJones88 13 years ago

It's not a flaw. Besides the fact that his phone was destroyed, all the phone lines were cut and all the phones in the booths were shot up, he couldn't exactly sneak down to the basement to make the call since there were guards watching their every move.
Would you really want to watch this movie if all he did was phone in the information instead of making a daring escape to get the info to the outside.

[–] csteve67 11 years ago

Well from post below you have answers as to why they did not use "sex" phone... NO phone, clipped wires.

Also I always hated Ebert..Siskel was better critic!!

"Vive la mort, vive la guerre, vive le sacre mercenaire."

[–] 11 years ago

[deleted]