History Film / Toys

Creator/RobinWilliams plays Leslie Zevo, a man who gets passed up for the inheritance of the toy factory and company of his father Kenneth (Donald O'Connor) despite his dedication because he has never really grown up himself. Instead, Kenneth leaves the factory to his brother, General Leland Zevo (Creator/MichaelGambon). This turns out to be a bad move, since the general and his camouflage-obsessed son Patrick (Music/{{LL Cool J}}) soon bring an [[OddlyOvertrainedSecurity absurdly strict security regime]] to the factory and even start planning to use toys as secret war machines. (To put it in pithier terms, this plot is effectively ''[[Film/WillyWonkaAndTheChocolateFactory Willy Wonka]] and the Military-Industrial Complex''.)

* {{Bizarrchitecture}}: All over this movie. You apparently enter the main building at Zevo Toys through the pyramid-shaped outbuilding next to it; the stairway up to Kenneth's office rolls forward to the door on giant toy wheels while you're climbing it; there's a corridor in the factory, decorated like the hills outside, where the floor rises and falls like a sine wave; the Zevos' house is a giant box that unfolds like a page from a pop-up book; Alsatia's bedroom is built like a stage set inside a larger room... and then see TheWallsAreClosingIn below. The fact that the Old General's bed is set up in a UsefulNotes/WorldWarII?-style Army medical tent ''inside his living room'' is one of the ''less'' outlandish examples.

Creator/RobinWilliams plays Leslie Zevo, a man who gets passed up for the inheritance of the toy factory and company of his father Kenneth (Donald O'Connor) despite his dedication because he has never really grown up himself. Instead, Kenneth leaves the factory to his brother, General Leland Zevo (Creator/MichaelGambon). This turns out to be a bad move, since the general and his camouflage-obsessed son Patrick (Music/{{LL Cool J}}) soon bring martial law to the factory and even start planning to use toys as secret war machines. (To put it in pithier terms, this plot is effectively ''[[Film/WillyWonkaAndTheChocolateFactory Willy Wonka]] and the Military-Industrial Complex''.)

* FollowTheLeader: Creator/RobinWilliams was reportedly very attracted to the role because he felt it would do for him what ''Film/WillyWonkaAndTheChocolateFactory'' did for Creator/GeneWilder.

* MildlyMilitary: General Leland Zevo never takes off his hat while indoors, something all soldiers (''especially'' officers) learn within their first week of basic training. This combined with his general lack of professionalism and seeming enthusiasm for war in general. For the informed viewer, it could be seen as a bit of foreshadowing that Leland is more of a ManChild playing at war than a professional soldier.

-->'''Old General:''' ''Mumbles and smiles''\\

* MyLittlePanzer: The new owner of a toy factory switches production to toy tanks and helicopters armed with real weapons he means to sell to the military. He also starts a videogame division to get kids into violence in order to have future soldiers for the piloting system he plans to use for those toys.

* {{Bizarrchitecture}}: All over this movie. You apparently enter the main building at Zevo Toys through the pyramid-shaped outbuilding next to it; the stairway up to Kenneth's office rolls forward to the door on giant toy wheels while you're climbing it; there's a corridor in the factory, decorated like the hills outside, where the floor rises and falls like a sine wave; the Zevos' house is a giant box that unfolds like a page from a pop-up book; Alsatia's bedroom is built like a stage set inside a larger room... and then see TheWallsAreClosingIn below. The fact that the Old General's bed is set up in a WW2-style Army medical tent ''inside his living room'' is one of the ''less'' outlandish examples.

* NostalgiaFilter: "There isn't going to ''be'' another war -- not like you and I know it! War has changed!"

'''Leland:''' Oh, I went to see a linguist! Yes, I went to see a dialect coach, and the best I could do was ''[indistinct drawl]'' "You men stand over there, on my notation, until further notice." ''[British]'' They ''didn't buy it!''\\

* DungeonBypass: Leslie using [[spoiler: Santa's airplane to get to the General's office.]] Bonus points for using a [[ChekhovsGun Chekhov's Gun]].

-->'''Leland''' [offscreen]: Let that be a lesson to you, always carry a flare.

* SinisterGeometry: Most of the buildings seen in the film are basically Platonic solids painted in flat colors. The neatness of it turns sinister as the story goes on and the General gains more control.

** There's also the implication that he asked Leland to take over in an effort to teach him a lesson as well.

* {{Bizarrchitecture}}: All over this movie. You apparently enter the main building at Zevo Toys through the pyramid-shaped outbuilding next to it; the stairway up to Kenneth's office rolls forward to the door on giant toy wheels while you're climbing it; there's a corridor in the factory where the floor rises and falls like a sine wave for no apparent reason; the Zevos' house is a giant box that unfolds like a page from a pop-up book; Alsatia's bedroom is built like a stage set inside a larger room... and then see TheWallsAreClosingIn below. The fact that the Old General's bed is set up in a WW2-style Army medical tent ''inside his living room'' is one of the ''less'' outlandish examples.

* HeelFaceTurn: [[spoiler: Patrick Zevo.]]

* RobotGirl: Part of a [[TheReveal reveal]] late in the movie. [[spoiler: Alsatia is a robot created as a companion for Leslie, an only child.]]

-->'''Leslie''': We're being attacked by a crossword puzzle.

* DrosteImage: The poster.

* GenreBusting

* InsultBackfire: When General Zevo tells Leslie, "You're as big a fool as your father ever was!" Leslie gets a touched look and says, "''Really?'' ...You think so? ...Thanks!"

* JerkWithAHeartOfGold: Leland may devolve into a psycho at the end, but his cry for a Medic when he sees his brother collapse is real fear, and his breakdown over his wife's death is also genuine [[spoiler:even if he can't be honest about the cause]]. He is also legitimately proud of his son.

* MildlyMilitary: General Leland Zevo never takes off his hat while indoors, something all soldiers (''especially'' officers) learn within their first week of basic training. This combined with his general lack of professionalism and seeming enthusiasm for war in general. For the informed viewer, it could be seen as a bit of foreshadowing that Leland is more of a ManChild playing at war than a professional solider.

** Doubles as a StealthPun: There's a literal [[Music/BlackSabbath War Pig]].
** The film contains several references to the work of surrealist painter Creator/ReneMagritte; at one point, Leslie and Alsatia dress up in bright-red versions of the famous trenchcoat and bowler hat that Magritte stuck on many of his subjects -- and make a music video ("What Is Real?") about him.

* BigLippedAlligatorMoment: InUniverse example--Leslie and Alsatia's camera-spoofing "music video." Doubles as an AffectionateParody of real '80s music videos.

* JerkWithAHeartOfGold: Leland may devolve into a psycho at the end, but his cry for a Medic when he sees his brother collapse is real fear, and his breakdown over his wife's death is also genuine. He is also legitimately proud of his son.

* AwardBaitSong: "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9geCS0v7w8 The Closing of the Year]]", written by Creator/HansZimmer and Creator/TrevorHorn, performed by Wendy & Lisa (with guest vocals by Seal).

* Bizarrchitecture: All over this movie. You apparently enter the main building at Zevo Toys through the pyramid-shaped outbuilding next to it; the stairway up to Kenneth's office rolls forward to the door while you're climbing it; there's a corridor in the factory that rises and falls like a sine wave for no apparent reason; the Zevos' house is a giant box that unfolds like a page from a pop-up book; Alsatia's bedroom is built like a stage set inside a larger room... and then see TheWallsAreClosingIn below. The fact that the Old General's bed is set up in a WW2-style Army medical tent ''inside his living room'' is one of the ''less'' outlandish examples.

* {{Foreshadowing}}: "Well, whatever you're doing must be working, because you ''always'' seem the same age to me."

* KlaatuBaradaNikto: Gen. Leland's OhCrap when his killer toys turn on him at the end of the climax. The phrase is supposed to be its shutdown command, but it's malfunctioning after the central computer was shut down.

* NostalgiaFilter: "There isn't going to ''be'' another war--not like you and I know it! War has changed!"

* PaperThinDisguise: Leslie and Alsatia as "Yolanda and Steve".

* PunchClockVillain: The Security {{Mooks}}. Most of the new Security people are guilty only of wearing an intimidating looking uniform, although a couple of them are spying on Leslie even outside of the factory, on Leland and Patrick's orders. (And some of the guys spying on Leslie are really just rewatching his Yolanda and Steve video instead of paying attention.)

* AwardBaitSong: "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9geCS0v7w8 The Closing of the Year]]" by Wendy & Lisa (with guest vocals by Seal).

** Kenneth's plan to have Leland take over the company is really a plan to help his son grow up and take charge of matters. It's very likely he knew to begin with (or at least suspected) that Leland's control of Zevo Toys would cause trouble that Leslie would have to face and overcome.
** It's also revealed later that he hand-picked [[spoiler: Gwen]] as a new hire the day before he died, figuring correctly [[spoiler: she and Leslie would be perfect for each other.]]

'''[[spoiler: Gwen]]:''' Yep. He was the one who hired me. The day before he died. Hand-picked. I don't know why... well, [[LoveAtFirstSight maybe I do know why...]]

* Bizarrchitecture: All over this movie. You apparently enter the main building at Zevo Toys through the pyramid-shaped outbuilding next to it; the stairway up to Kenneth's office rolls forward to the door while you're climbing it; there's a corridor in the factory that rises and falls like a sine wave for no apparent reason; the Zevos' house is a giant box that unfolds like a page from a pop-up book; Alsatia's bedroom is built like a stage set inside a larger room... and then see TheWallsAreClosingIn below. The fact that the Old General's bed is set up in a WW2-style Army medical tent ''inside his bedroom'' is one of the ''less'' outlandish examples.

** It's also revealed later that he hand-picked [[spoiler: Gwen]] as a new hire the day before he died, figuring correctly [[spoiler: Leslie would fall for her, and vice-versa.]]
---> '''Leslie:''' You met my dad?
---> '''[[spoiler: Gwen]]:''' Yep. He was the one who hired me. The day before he died. Hand-picked. I don't know why... well, [[LoveAtFirstSight maybe I do know why...]]

* BigLippedAlligatorMoment: InUniverse example--Leslie and Alsatia's camera-spoofing "music video." Doubles as an AffectionateParody of real '80s music-videos.

* {{Cloudcuckoolander}}: Leslie and Alsatia. They got it from their dad.

** Patrick Zevo comes off as a jerk, but he is kind to his cousin Alsatia and charming with Debi, and in the end joins in to help stop Leland.

* MildlyMilitary: General Zevo never takes off his hat while indoors, something all soldiers (''especially'' officers) learn within their first week of basic training. This combined with his general lack of professionalism and seeming enthusiasm for war in general. For the informed viewer, it could be seen as a bit of foreshadowing that Zevo is more of a ManChild playing war than a professional solider.

-->'''Old General:''' ''Mumbles and smiles''
-->'''Leland:''' No, I said ''frag'' me! They tried to shoot me!

-->'''Leland:''' You would have to be stationed in England during my formative years! I've never been taken for a real American.
-->'''The Old General:''' ''[[InaneBlabbering mumblemuttermumble]]'' linguist?
-->'''Leland:''' Oh, I went to see a linguist! Yes, I went to see a dialect coach, and the best I could do was ''[indistinct drawl]'' "You men stand over there, on my notation, until further notice." ''[British]'' ''They didn't buy it!''
-->'''The Old General:''' ''mumblemumble'' Jersey City ''mutter''...

* PaperThinDisguise: Leslie and Alsatia as "Steve and Yolanda".
* PunchClockVillain: The Security {{Mooks}}. Most of the new Security people are guilty only of wearing an intimidating looking uniform, although a couple of them are spying on Leslie even outside of the factory, on Leland and Patrick's orders.

-->'''Alsatia:''' You know, you remind me a lot of my brother.
-->'''Patrick:''' That's impossible. We're exact opposites.
-->'''Alsatia:''' That's what I mean. He's all silly and soft on the outside and on the inside he's really strong, and you're just the opposite.

--> "I don't know, do you think we're making fun of people with big ears?"
--> "I think we're making fun of people with small heads."
--> "Well, either way we're going to get letters from the Royal Family. Not good."

-->'''Leland''': '''''Don't YOU tell me to calm down! DON'T TELL ME TO CALM DOWN!'''''
* WallpaperCamouflage: Patrick does this several times, but is also well-versed in the idea of misdirection as camouflage.

-->'''Leslie''': We're being attacked by a giant crossword puzzle.

-->'''The Old General''': ''mumble'' change sides.
-->'''Leland''': I ''can't'' change sides, you silly old fart! There's no side to change sides ''to!''

** The film contains several references to the work of surrealist painter Creator/ReneMagritte; at one point, Leslie and Alsatia dress up in bright-red versions of the famous trenchcoat and bowler hat that Magritte stuck on many of his subjects.

Creator/RobinWilliams plays Leslie Zevo, a man who gets passed up for the inheritance of the toy factory and company of his father Kenneth (Donald O'Connor) despite his dedication because he has never really grown up himself. Instead, Kenneth leaves the factory to his brother, General Leland Zevo (Michael Gambon). This turns out to be a bad move, since the general and his camouflage-obsessed son Patrick (Music/{{LL Cool J}}) soon bring martial law to the factory and even start planning to use toys as secret war machines. (To put it in pithier terms, this plot is effectively ''[[Film/WillyWonkaAndTheChocolateFactory Willy Wonka]] and the Military-Industrial Complex''.)

Creastor/RobinWilliams plays Leslie Zevo, a man who gets passed up for the inheritance of the toy factory and company of his father Kenneth (Donald O'Connor) despite his dedication because he has never really grown up himself. Instead, Kenneth leaves the factory to his brother, General Leland Zevo (Michael Gambon). This turns out to be a bad move, since the general and his camouflage-obsessed son Patrick (Music/{{LL Cool J}}) soon bring martial law to the factory and even start planning to use toys as secret war machines. (To put it in pithier terms, this plot is effectively ''[[Film/WillyWonkaAndTheChocolateFactory Willy Wonka]] and the Military-Industrial Complex''.)

-->'''Leland''' [offscreen]: Let that be a lesson to you, airways carry a flare.

* LampshadeHanging: In addition to NotEvenBotheringWithTheAccent below, why are their fireworks going at the climax of General Leland's epic speech outlining his plan?

* BeforeAndAfterPictures: Leslie Zevo finds one of the photocopier pictures taken of the toy company's new secretary along with his cousin-in-law Patrick and says it's a "before-and-after picture of Music/MichaelJackson."

* TheFunInFuneral: Kenneth manages a posthumous prank that gives everyone at his funeral a much-needed laugh.

-->'''Leland:''' Oh, I went to see a linguist! Yes, I went to see a dialect coach, and the best I could do was ''[indistinct drawl]'' "You men stand over there, on my notation, until further notice." ''[British]'' They didn't buy it!

* RobotGirl: Part of a [[TheReveal reveal]] late in the movie. [[spoiler: Alsatia is a robot created as a compansion for Leslie, an only child.]]

* RuleOfSymbolism: The climactic battle is between an army of robotic, military drones and a warehouse of traditional toys. It amounts to a prolonged sequence of slow-motion teddy bear explosions to a background of Enya. It's meant to symbolize the destruction of innocence, that war corrupts everything it touches. Levinson has said that he thinks of the film as being about not allowing your childhood "thoughts" (i.e. innocence) to disappear in adulthood.

* TheUnintelligible: The Old General, Leland and Kenneth's dad and Leslie and Alsatia's granddad.

-->'''Leslie''': We're being attacked by a crossword puzzle.

* KlaatuBaradaNikto: Gen. Leland's OhCrap when his killer toys turn on him at the end of the climax. The phrase is supposed to be it's shutdown command, but it's malfunctioning after the central computer was shut down.

* KlaatuBaradaNikto: Gen. Leland's OhCrap when his killer toys turn on him at the end of the climax.