Review of Toys (1966) by Alexander C — 05 Dec 2012

Somewhere in the Palouse region of Washington State is a toy factory. Zevo toys manufactures old school toys for, well, kids. It's owner, Kenneth Zevo, is dying unfortunately. He wants to pass on his factory to his three star general brother, Leland. Even though Kenneth has a son, Leslie, and a daughter, Alsatia, Kenneth doesn't believe they're mature enought to run it. He believes his brother will shape up Leslie and Alsatia, but it turns out old Leland ends up shaping up the factory instead.

Once Kenneth dies and Leland is granted control, Leland begins to get really bored. Since Vietnam, he's been really irritated by the fact that he never got to partake in a great big WAR! It's all he knows and anything that doesn't deal with espionage, explosions or anything military becomes a waste of time. So, Leland decides to create some war toys at Zevo. This disturbs Leslie who isn't familiar with this type of toy making.

Leslie is a gentle, goofy and whimsical looney tune. He was born in the back of a bumper car and joking around is all he knows. He would've been perfect to take over Zevo, but sadly that wasn't the choice his father made. Leland's anarchistic ways take it's toll on the factory workers of Zevo. Many quit and many are miserable by the new fascist regime that has overtaken the once sweet and innocent place it use to be. Eventually, Leslie puts his foot down, but the damage is done. Leland's toy army and video game based military tactics bring the factory into a dictatorship. It's up to Leslie to shut it down and give Leland his great wonderful WAR that he's always wanted.

I like fables, but this one wasn't focused. There was too much razzle dazzle in terms of the art direction and set design that it's director Barry Levinson forgot to, well, tell a story. This was suppose to be his directorial debut, but nobody wanted to make it. With the success of his other films, like 'Rain Man' and 'Good Morning Vietnam', he was able to get the funding he needed to make his most cherished project. Too bad it was a dud at the box office, but that's what happens when you're all style and no substance.

Now this film isn't too bad. It does have a few novelty and gimmicky elements that make it fun to watch. The biggest highlight of this film, and the only reason I won't give it anything lower than two stars, is the set design and art direction. Oh! Also the scenes of the Palouse region of Washington State are quite beautiful. Before I die, I want to visit there. It looks peaceful.

Overall, a richly absurd and lame attempt at sending an antiwar message with toys! :D.