Underrated and highly involving movie for kids. A young boy finds out that his cupboard has magical powers and can turn plastic into reality. He first turns a plastic Indian into a real human being. The movie teaches about responsibility but in an understandable way. It isn't patronizing nor childish, which means older audiences should relate to it also. It also mediates on life and death at certain points, and was the first film in a long time to be genuinely emotionally shocking. The relationship between the Indian and the cowboy was very well developed as they started to bond over their tragedies. The film does have a number of loose edges. Rishi Bhat was particularly annoying at times, but in a way he was necessary to play off Scardino. Even Scardino wasn't always a lovable protagonist. In one scene he kicks his brother's pet rat down the stairs, in an event where the rat clearly would have died. As the film hadn't relied on cartoon logic up until that point it was a bit out of place. Great effects, and seeing Darth Vader vs. a T-Rex kind of made up for those moments. A more innocent time when children's movies didn't have to be loud and crass.
63 Reviews
An excellent film exploring complex themes lightheartedly
adambas18 January 2005
This film was special. It's not to say it ranks high amongst the worlds films technically (which is not to say it fails in this regard it simply does not depend upon special effects), but the underlying theme is gentle and beautifully presented. The child actors' performances are solid. Especially the lead 'Omri', and his friend (whom I really liked and really disliked respectively - (hence his acting ability)). It's an innocent story with great imagination, and doesn't take itself too seriously. The relationship and growth that the main character develops with Little Bear (the Indian in the cupboard) is special. It eventually takes on a father/son dynamic after a role reversal or sorts from the Creator/created dynamic the boy has with Little Bear at first. I was touched by this relationship and by Omri's innocence. Frank Oz imagination is conveyed well through this work. I can easily imagine being in Omri's shoes and enjoy this film each time I watch it. Whether you watch this with kids or not, odds are you'll enjoy it.
Agreeable family film filled with imagination and in which adventure comes to life
ma-cortes13 September 2013
On his ninth birthday a young boy (Hal Scardino) named Omri (it means "The Lord is my life" and was the name of a Hebrew king whose story is told in I Kings 16) receives various presents from his parents (Richard Jenkins , Lindsay Crouse) and brothers . Two of them first seem to be less important : an old cupboard -a wooden medicine cabinet - from his brother and a little Indian figure made of plastic . Then there happens the biggest adventure of his childhood , the magical cupboard brings his toy action figures to life and Omri watches him become flesh and blood ; there also appear a soldier (Steve Coogan) from WWII . Three-inch plastic Indian named Little Bear (Lifefoot) undertaking several adventures and teaching him important lessons . Thing go worse , however , when the boy's best friend brings a toy gunfighter (David Keith) to life and pursuit starts . Events turn nasty and might be frightened for young children , by some scenes involving a rather vicious mouse .
Enjoyable and well-intentioned film plenty of good feeling , marvelous adventure , fantasy and sense of wonder . This is a nice movie with heart that amuses and has something to tell . The picture is pretty good but suffers of claustrophobic scenario , as it is mostly set in room , exception some brief scenes in courtyard . Intelligent as well as sensitive screenplay by Melissa Matheson , Harrison Ford's real-life first wife , based on the best-selling children's book by Lynne Reid Banks who wrote her original novel as a bedtime story for her son , Omri . Cool special effects , as blue screen techniques allow them to appear together-on-screen although they were really filmed together only once . Emotive as well as evocative musical score by Randy Edelman . Colorful and adequate cinematography by Russell Carpenter .
The motion picture well produced by Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall was professionally directed by Frank Oz , though he stated he was reluctant to direct this movie, as he doesn't think he's a children's director. Frank began forming team with the great Jim Henson filming known titles such as ¨The Dark Crystal¨ and ¨Muppets take Manhattan¨. Frank subsequently directed a lot of comedies as ¨Little shop of horrors¨, ¨Dirty rotten scoundrels¨, ¨What about Bob?¨, ¨House sitter¨, ¨In and out¨, ¨Bowfinger¨and a thriller titled ¨The score¨. And this ¨Indian in cupboard¨, it results to be one of his most sensitive films . Rating : 6'5/10 . Better than average . Well worth watching .
Enjoyable and well-intentioned film plenty of good feeling , marvelous adventure , fantasy and sense of wonder . This is a nice movie with heart that amuses and has something to tell . The picture is pretty good but suffers of claustrophobic scenario , as it is mostly set in room , exception some brief scenes in courtyard . Intelligent as well as sensitive screenplay by Melissa Matheson , Harrison Ford's real-life first wife , based on the best-selling children's book by Lynne Reid Banks who wrote her original novel as a bedtime story for her son , Omri . Cool special effects , as blue screen techniques allow them to appear together-on-screen although they were really filmed together only once . Emotive as well as evocative musical score by Randy Edelman . Colorful and adequate cinematography by Russell Carpenter .
The motion picture well produced by Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall was professionally directed by Frank Oz , though he stated he was reluctant to direct this movie, as he doesn't think he's a children's director. Frank began forming team with the great Jim Henson filming known titles such as ¨The Dark Crystal¨ and ¨Muppets take Manhattan¨. Frank subsequently directed a lot of comedies as ¨Little shop of horrors¨, ¨Dirty rotten scoundrels¨, ¨What about Bob?¨, ¨House sitter¨, ¨In and out¨, ¨Bowfinger¨and a thriller titled ¨The score¨. And this ¨Indian in cupboard¨, it results to be one of his most sensitive films . Rating : 6'5/10 . Better than average . Well worth watching .
Lovely Movie
Big Movie Fan25 June 2002
1995 was certainly a great year for fantasy films and The Indian In The Cupboard was one of the many great movies of that year.
A little boy puts a toy Indian in the cupboard and it comes to life. They gradually become good friends throughout the film and the young boy also puts some of his other toys into the cupboard as well.
The acting is great throughout and it's a nice little story as well. The great thing about films like this is that they are pure fantasy and they feature the type of things that most young kids dream about. What young child wouldn't like to bring some of their toys to life? It may never happen but it's great to be able to watch a movie where it does happen.
All in all, a lovely movie for the kids.
A little boy puts a toy Indian in the cupboard and it comes to life. They gradually become good friends throughout the film and the young boy also puts some of his other toys into the cupboard as well.
The acting is great throughout and it's a nice little story as well. The great thing about films like this is that they are pure fantasy and they feature the type of things that most young kids dream about. What young child wouldn't like to bring some of their toys to life? It may never happen but it's great to be able to watch a movie where it does happen.
All in all, a lovely movie for the kids.
Sentimental, Charming and Nostalgic
Raptorclaw1554 April 2020
I might be coming from a bit of a biased angle here but I remember seeing this film countless times growing up. It was recorded from TV on a blank VHS tape by my grandmother and I will never forget those days watching it over at her house. The point is, if I seem a bit too positive about this film, it's because I will always associate it with those childhood memories.
With that said, The Indian in the Cupboard is a perfectly fine film. As someone who likes films that are on a smaller scale, I do enjoy this, more or less, slice-of-life style and it is actually quite refreshing with its slower pace and more relaxed cinematography when compared to many of the big blockbuster films that come out today.
One thing I really have to commend this film for are its visual effects. Bringing to life the idea of tiny people and big people interacting and existing in the same frame, as well as the environments the little people are in have aged surprisingly well. I will admit, when revisiting this film, I was a little apprehensive about whether or not the special effects would hold up, as even some of the big blockbusters from years later that rely heavily on special effects don't hold up over time. 25 years later, however, this film still looks as good as it did to me back when I was a kid. I was pleasantly surprised as, by no means did I ever think that anything in this film looked too artificial or bad in any way.
The soundtrack, I remember, was one of my favorite aspects of this film back when I was a kid, and it too, stands the test of time. Not only does it help sell the sentimental direction of the film, but it also helps to serve as something of a time capsule of what the 90s were kind of like.
I can't help but feel like this film is a genuine product of the 1990s, but not the obnoxious side of it that is constantly celebrated across the internet. I think it captures the 90s in more of a down-to-earth sense. It's difficult to explain but the side of the 90s it captures is that good-feeling and a sense of innocence that I believe many people are nostalgic for. For me personally, while watching this it seemed only natural that after it was over, I would go and play a Super Nintendo game or something. This film really does a good job at taking one back to the simpler times, I think.
For the most part, the acting in this film is fine. The only real note about it I have is that sometimes Omri's reaction shots look less like reactions and more like blank stares, and since they hold those particular shots for long periods of time, they kind of alternate between funny and unsettling. But it isn't fair to criticize child actors too much, and other than that, the kids in this film do an excellent job at portraying kids. Sometimes films that use child actors have the tendency to have child actors act like the adult director's approximation of how a kid would act and as a result, it comes off as very silly- this film does not have that problem and I'm happy that that's the case.
I think the thing that keeps this film from crossing into a higher score, for me, is that, while I greatly enjoyed it, I'm not sure if it would be considered something necessarily special by someone who does not have a history with it like I do. With that said, I do highly recommend it as I think it is a film worth seeing for a number of reasons. I was sure this was more of a Hallmark-type of film, but it got a theatrical release and, perhaps, it's of higher quality as a result? I highly recommend it and I can't do so enough.
With that said, The Indian in the Cupboard is a perfectly fine film. As someone who likes films that are on a smaller scale, I do enjoy this, more or less, slice-of-life style and it is actually quite refreshing with its slower pace and more relaxed cinematography when compared to many of the big blockbuster films that come out today.
One thing I really have to commend this film for are its visual effects. Bringing to life the idea of tiny people and big people interacting and existing in the same frame, as well as the environments the little people are in have aged surprisingly well. I will admit, when revisiting this film, I was a little apprehensive about whether or not the special effects would hold up, as even some of the big blockbusters from years later that rely heavily on special effects don't hold up over time. 25 years later, however, this film still looks as good as it did to me back when I was a kid. I was pleasantly surprised as, by no means did I ever think that anything in this film looked too artificial or bad in any way.
The soundtrack, I remember, was one of my favorite aspects of this film back when I was a kid, and it too, stands the test of time. Not only does it help sell the sentimental direction of the film, but it also helps to serve as something of a time capsule of what the 90s were kind of like.
I can't help but feel like this film is a genuine product of the 1990s, but not the obnoxious side of it that is constantly celebrated across the internet. I think it captures the 90s in more of a down-to-earth sense. It's difficult to explain but the side of the 90s it captures is that good-feeling and a sense of innocence that I believe many people are nostalgic for. For me personally, while watching this it seemed only natural that after it was over, I would go and play a Super Nintendo game or something. This film really does a good job at taking one back to the simpler times, I think.
For the most part, the acting in this film is fine. The only real note about it I have is that sometimes Omri's reaction shots look less like reactions and more like blank stares, and since they hold those particular shots for long periods of time, they kind of alternate between funny and unsettling. But it isn't fair to criticize child actors too much, and other than that, the kids in this film do an excellent job at portraying kids. Sometimes films that use child actors have the tendency to have child actors act like the adult director's approximation of how a kid would act and as a result, it comes off as very silly- this film does not have that problem and I'm happy that that's the case.
I think the thing that keeps this film from crossing into a higher score, for me, is that, while I greatly enjoyed it, I'm not sure if it would be considered something necessarily special by someone who does not have a history with it like I do. With that said, I do highly recommend it as I think it is a film worth seeing for a number of reasons. I was sure this was more of a Hallmark-type of film, but it got a theatrical release and, perhaps, it's of higher quality as a result? I highly recommend it and I can't do so enough.
Sweet and decent, but has some annoying characters and weird moments.
exzanya4 March 2021
Actually quite sweet and enjoyable. But, Patrick and Omri (Stupid name) are so damn irritating, and when Omri kicks the rat, what the hell. God, no offence to the actor, but Omri has such an annoying face, and these emotional scenes which are featured in the film are just ruined by close-ups of his stupid face. Apart from that, it is quite sweet, quite sad and decently fun. I genuinely recommend this if you fancy killing some time.
Great idea, somewhat like Toy Story. Loveable movie which could've been even more.
mardalsfossen017 January 2019
Kids will love it, adults will think it has good parts and has a lovely idea, but in the end is maybe not fully complete.
I watched the movie as a kid and always somewhat remembered it and recently watched it again to see what it actually was about and to get the whole plot. I definitely like the idea and it is similar to Toy Story, but in the end it felt like something was missing or it was just too much of a movie for kids.
I watched the movie as a kid and always somewhat remembered it and recently watched it again to see what it actually was about and to get the whole plot. I definitely like the idea and it is similar to Toy Story, but in the end it felt like something was missing or it was just too much of a movie for kids.
You should not do magic you do not understand, movie! Still, it was worth checking out.
ironhorse_iv23 February 2013
Warning: Spoilers
Now that I've grown and educated myself, I can't stop thinking about how politically incorrect the title is. People say it should be called 'the Native American in the cupboard'. This is a very very common misconception in America. Yes, for a while they were called Indians. Christopher Columbus did not call them Indians because he thought they were from India. He called them "Gods people". The word in his language for "God's people" sounds very similar to the word Indian that we use today. It's just that the pronunciation we use now has changed a little after all this time. As for people saying that the "correct" term is "Native American" is highly offensive and frankly kind of stupid. How is it that taking the name from which the conquerors's gave them(American) supposed to be the correct term? That makes absolutely no sense. The word American has no relation whatsoever to Indian culture. Therefore "Native American" is utterly ridiculous, as well. If there is to be a title, it's should be call 'The Iroquois in the Cupboard'. No matter, what it is, call. The movie and book is not racist. The movie and book is trying to show tolerance through it's metaphor for how ignorant people have subjugated and marginalized the Indian populations of America by refusing to understand, listen to, or accommodate Indian heritage. The film opens up, a lot of things that people rarely knew about Native Americans. The film starts with a young boy, Omri (Hal Scardino), receives a cupboard. He uses a "magical" key, which belonged to his great-grandmother, to bring a plastic 18th century Native American figurine to life with the cupboard. The now-living Iroquois reveals his name as Little Bear (Litefoot). Litefoot, a real rapper does a great job in teaching role, not only in teaching the child about Iroquois's culture, but also the morality of playing God. There is a Frankenstein feel to the film. My favorite line in the film "God does play with little men'. Author Lynne Reid Banks and Director Frank Oz did an excellent job conveying the worry and angst the young boy felt for for his little toy come to life. I appreciate how the author had the boy evolve from seeing the Indian as a plaything to realizing that, regardless of his size, the Indian was a person with needs, feelings, and a right to live his life. What struck me about it was not that it was racist, or dated (it didn't feel so as much as you'd think,) but that it is a deconstruction of the idea that magical toys would be fun to have, and possibly of imagination as well. Omri seem just the typical kid protagonist, kinda generic if you ask me. But I still think his acting was unintentionally funny. Just weird out with all the close ups on Omri's face, the odd relationship between him and Little Bear, the weird fears, and how he reacts to others. Examples when Omri's dad confronts him about the saw blades, and Omri says he buried them. Odd lying by him and his parent accept that lame excuse. What kid can cuss to his mom as well? What is with his relationship with brothers being super cool in the beginning of the film and then for no reason Omri turns into a complete jerk with him? The worst thing, the kid does is abuse an animal. That poor thing was abused through the whole film. Whether it was real or not, it was still animal abuse and shouldn't be shown in this movie. The treatment of that rat was appalling. Omri still wasn't nearly as annoying as his friend, Patrick. One minute he's Omri's best friend, and all docile and quiet, and then like a switch, he's evil and defiant with seeing them as nothing more than animated toys. He brings in Boone (David Keith), a bigot Injun hating cowboy whom at first conflict with Little Bear, but grows to be friends with him, once they got to know each other. One of the odd things about the film is scenes that go nowhere or has nothing to do with the story like the Mohawk bully. Another thing is the degrading of women in the film, from the kids watching Montley Crue 'Girls' music video (it's the 1990's, why were they watching it anyways?) to Bear demanding a wife so she can cook. I put aside my critiques and squelched my inner squirming and found much to like about the film. The special effects were top notch, and it was really neat to see Little Bear, Boone and Tommy (Steve Coogan) the medic brought to life on the screen. It was pretty cool to see the Star Wars, Jurrasic Park, G.I Joe, and Robo-Cop reference. The movie is pretty close to the book, minus little changes such as the toy shop. I laugh at the kid that loves JFK. While the movie isn't that bad, it's not going to hurt the kids watching it. I like it when I was a kid and still kinda do.
A Family Film Gone Wrong
elscorcho1010127 January 2006
I'll totally exclude the fact that they raped the book. The book is delightful, enchanting and enthralling.
The movie is the total opposite of all these things. The acting is awful on all fronts. Terrible directing from Frank Oz, terrible casting, terrible everything. I only revisited this disaster to put myself to sleep last night.
There are only a few circumstances for anyone to be seeing this.
Dodge at all costs unless you're curious about the book comparison or if you have a kid that you need to distract for 90 minutes or so. Horrendous adaptation, horrendous film-making.
The movie is the total opposite of all these things. The acting is awful on all fronts. Terrible directing from Frank Oz, terrible casting, terrible everything. I only revisited this disaster to put myself to sleep last night.
There are only a few circumstances for anyone to be seeing this.
Dodge at all costs unless you're curious about the book comparison or if you have a kid that you need to distract for 90 minutes or so. Horrendous adaptation, horrendous film-making.
Cowboys and Indians
wes-connors12 October 2009
For his ninth birthday, slightly geeky but wholly appealing Hal Scardino (as Omri) receives cool wooden cupboard from his brother. There is no key to lock the cupboard, but mother Lindsay Crouse lets young Mr. Scardino try some stray keys from her collection. Happily, it turns out that Scardino's great-grandmother gifted a key to his mother, which perfectly fits the cupboard. Scardino locks up a Native American Indian toy figure, a "antique" gift from best friend Rishi Bhat (as Patrick), overnight. When he wakes up, Scardino discovers that Iroquois Litefoot (as Little Bear) has come to life, in miniature form, from the year 1761.
The simple but effective special effects used throughout "The Indian in the Cupboard" have, surprisingly, made this film seem more natural looking than the special effects extravaganzas which blew it out of the theaters, back in the 1990s. Michael Lantieri, Eric Brevig, director Frank Oz, and their team make Scardino's little friends look very real. The story is based on a charming series of books by Lynne Reid Banks; the several sequels blunt the impact of the final door closing on the magical years of childhood, but the additional stories have no impact on this charming children's story. Grown-ups and some kids should see subtleties.
******* The Indian in the Cupboard (7/14/95) Frank Oz ~ Hal Scardino, Litefoot, Rishi Bhat, David Keith
The simple but effective special effects used throughout "The Indian in the Cupboard" have, surprisingly, made this film seem more natural looking than the special effects extravaganzas which blew it out of the theaters, back in the 1990s. Michael Lantieri, Eric Brevig, director Frank Oz, and their team make Scardino's little friends look very real. The story is based on a charming series of books by Lynne Reid Banks; the several sequels blunt the impact of the final door closing on the magical years of childhood, but the additional stories have no impact on this charming children's story. Grown-ups and some kids should see subtleties.
******* The Indian in the Cupboard (7/14/95) Frank Oz ~ Hal Scardino, Litefoot, Rishi Bhat, David Keith
Average Film With Terrible Lead
gavin694213 July 2016
On his ninth birthday a boy receives many presents. Two of them first seem to be less important: an old cupboard from his brother and a little Indian figure made of plastic from his best friend. But these two presents turn out to be much more magic than the rest...
The movie debuted at number six at the North American box office. The film made only $35 million against a production budget of $45 million, making it a box office bomb; however, the film was in competition with high-profile successes like Apollo 13, Nine Months, Pocahontas, and Batman Forever. As a result, plans to adapt the next three books in the series into films were dropped.
Like many others, I grew up reading and loving the book series. You would think this alone would be enough to make some money... each kid who read the book sees the movie once and you're sure to turn a profit. But maybe it just isn't that good. Now, in my thirties, I think the movie is sort of dumb. Is this because it really is dumb, or because I am not 10 years old? I am not sure, but I definitely think there was a big mistake in casting the two lead boys. They just had no personality, no screen magic. The toys were fine, but those kids... ugh.
The movie debuted at number six at the North American box office. The film made only $35 million against a production budget of $45 million, making it a box office bomb; however, the film was in competition with high-profile successes like Apollo 13, Nine Months, Pocahontas, and Batman Forever. As a result, plans to adapt the next three books in the series into films were dropped.
Like many others, I grew up reading and loving the book series. You would think this alone would be enough to make some money... each kid who read the book sees the movie once and you're sure to turn a profit. But maybe it just isn't that good. Now, in my thirties, I think the movie is sort of dumb. Is this because it really is dumb, or because I am not 10 years old? I am not sure, but I definitely think there was a big mistake in casting the two lead boys. They just had no personality, no screen magic. The toys were fine, but those kids... ugh.
Great Movie For Kids
k-english30 January 2011
Forget reviews saying this is not as good as the book. No films are are a good as the book! Watch this movie with an 8 year old child and you will see how good the film is.
Thank you Frank Oz for a wonderful film. The acting from the young children is above average and the tearful ending just right for a young audience. Interesting to note Steve Coogan plays a miniature model come to life - something he repeats later in his career in A Night At The Museum. Typecasting?
The effects are also very good. Remember this is 1995 when CGI was in it's infancy - but the miniaturisation of the cast is flawless.
Thank you Frank Oz for a wonderful film. The acting from the young children is above average and the tearful ending just right for a young audience. Interesting to note Steve Coogan plays a miniature model come to life - something he repeats later in his career in A Night At The Museum. Typecasting?
The effects are also very good. Remember this is 1995 when CGI was in it's infancy - but the miniaturisation of the cast is flawless.
Coming of age story
winstonaugusta17 October 2019
Very nice coming of age story in a fantasy story. Brought back memories and fantasies of my childhood with a warm and happy ending. Well done. Enjoyed it even better 10 years after I viewed the first time. This is a must watch movie. Bring your young heart with you.
Worst Movie Ever Made
doddsie00727 March 2004
When I was 9 years old someone brought over this movie and we watched it. I sat through the entire thing.
At the end the credits rolled up and in my innocent 9-year old voice, I proclaimed that this was the 'Worst Movie Ever Made!'
I am now 17 I have never seen the movie again I stand by that assessment.
Stupid, poorly acted, poorly directed, destroyed a reasonable book Highly unrecommended
At the end the credits rolled up and in my innocent 9-year old voice, I proclaimed that this was the 'Worst Movie Ever Made!'
I am now 17 I have never seen the movie again I stand by that assessment.
Stupid, poorly acted, poorly directed, destroyed a reasonable book Highly unrecommended
Good film!
LindaMovieFan3154 May 2022
Litefoot plays a wonderful role as the Indian brought to life, but I also suspect he may have had a little hand in the production guiding and eliminating several Native American stereotypes from the production. I do admit being quite a bit intrigued by the power of the cupboard and/or key as by some of the toys brought to life seem to actually hold the consciousnesses of actual individuals returned to life. If so, then the cupboard is merely a time machine of sorts, but there is a very cute, albeit brief scene where Omri brings to life a few of his action figures and discovers how dangerous they are with their phony weapons transformed into their real life equivalents. Among which is a dinosaur possibly from his Jurassic Park collection. He could have kept the creature alive and sold it for a million at his local Natural History Museum. He also doesn't have any comic book superheroes to bring to life; what a chance he missed !
Unique from Oz's other works.
emasterslake14 October 2006
From the director of "Little Shop of horrors" and "What about Bob" brings you a unique Family movie.
Indian in the Cupboard is about Omri, a kid living in the Big Apple receives a cupboard for his birthday. It looked like an ordinary cupboard you'd find in an antique shop. But when Omri puts an Indian figurine in it, close it, and re open it to find a small living Indian who has been awaken and confused in Omri's world.
The Indian finds Omri to be a Great spirit with great powers. At first the Indian is frighten but soon he befriends with Omri and they start to make a bound with one another. Not only can you make an Indian figurine come to life, you can make other figurines come to life like "Boo Hoo Boon" and a British First Aid Unit.
I've known this movie for as long as I could remember. It may not appeal to many people. But it does make a good family movie to watch. What's worth seeing in this movie is the visual effects in making figurine characters seem smaller than the regular size characters.
I highly recommend it to the Frank Oz fans or those who like movies with unique visual effects. Suggested for older kids, due to it having some scene inappropriate for 8 and under.
Indian in the Cupboard is about Omri, a kid living in the Big Apple receives a cupboard for his birthday. It looked like an ordinary cupboard you'd find in an antique shop. But when Omri puts an Indian figurine in it, close it, and re open it to find a small living Indian who has been awaken and confused in Omri's world.
The Indian finds Omri to be a Great spirit with great powers. At first the Indian is frighten but soon he befriends with Omri and they start to make a bound with one another. Not only can you make an Indian figurine come to life, you can make other figurines come to life like "Boo Hoo Boon" and a British First Aid Unit.
I've known this movie for as long as I could remember. It may not appeal to many people. But it does make a good family movie to watch. What's worth seeing in this movie is the visual effects in making figurine characters seem smaller than the regular size characters.
I highly recommend it to the Frank Oz fans or those who like movies with unique visual effects. Suggested for older kids, due to it having some scene inappropriate for 8 and under.
OK but plodding family fare.
gridoon8 January 2000
"The Indian in the Cupboard" is a generally acceptable film, but it could have been MUCH better. Although it lacks originality, its story had potential, but somehow the result falls short. Arguably the most crucial weakness is that it stretches credibility to the limit; the basic premise of toys coming to life is easy enough to accept, but the suggestion that the toys have their own, secret, private lives even when they are seemingly soulless pieces of plastic, is really hard to swallow. Moreover, the film would me more fun if it allowed its characters to explore the possibilities and activities of "the real world", but they seem to suffer from melancholia and boredom and they just want to "go back". The special effects are excellent, and the film does have a couple of inventive moments, but too much moralizing and plodding pacing make it seem longer than it is. 5/10 would be a fair rating, I think.
The Indian in the Cupboard
jboothmillard20 November 2018
Warning: Spoilers
I remember seeing TV adverts for this film when it was released, around the same time as Jumanji and Toy Story, it was beaten at the box-office by movies like Batman Forever, Pocahontas and Apollo 13, but it was rated well, and I was told it was worthwhile, so I looked forward to it, directed by Frank Oz (The Dark Crystal, The Muppets Take Manhattan, Little Shop of Horrors, Bowfinger). Basically in Brooklyn, on his ninth birthday, Omri (Hal Scardino) receives an old cupboard from his brother Gillon (Vincent Kartheiser) and a little Native American "Indian" figure made of plastic from his best friend Patrick (Rishi Bhat). That night, Omri goes through his mother's old box of keys to find one that will open the cupboard, he finds a gold-coloured key with a red ribbon that fits the keyhole, he can only fit his Indian figurine inside. In the morning, Omri hears a tapping coming from inside the cupboard, he opens it up and finds a small living person hiding in the corner. It is the Indian figurine who has magically come to life in human form, the Indian is frightened by his large acquaintance and stabs him in the finger with his small knife. Omri's father Victor (Richard Jenkins) comes into the room to help him get ready for school, the child locks the cupboard and keeps the Indian a secret. When Omri returns home from school, he is upset to find the Indian figurine has returned to its original form as a toy, he locks the cupboard again. In bed, Omri once again hears tapping, he opens the cupboard and finds the Indian alive once again, the Indian is again frightened, but they start talking and slowly form a friendship. The Indian reveals himself as an English-speaking, 18th-century Iroquois Indian named Little Bear (Litefoot) who was fighting in the French and Indian War alongside the British. Omri does some research and learns a lot about the Iroquois and learns that Little Bear has a deceased wife. Omri takes Little Bear outside, but he is hurt by a pigeon, Omri brings to life a figurine of a First World War British Army medic named Tommy Atkins (Steve Coogan) to treat Little Bear's wound. As time goes by, Omri and Little Bear become closer as friends, the boy gives him tools to build a longhouse, they share stories, and Omri decides to surprise him, bringing to life a Chieftain Indian figure. But the shock of seeing a large boy causes the old man to suffer a heart attack, seeing his confusion, Little Bear realises that Omri really is a child, and not a great spirit as he assumed, he warns Omri not to tamper with magic he does not understand. Omri has a bit of friction with his father, about using his tools without permission, they make amends, and Omri tries to show his maturity by buying some tools for his father from the store. At the store, Omri runs into his friend Patrick, who is carrying a plastic figurine of a cowboy riding a horse. Omri eventually reveals his secret to Patrick, but Little Bear is hiding, and begs the boy to send him home. Ignoring Omri protesting, Patrick brings his cowboy figurine "Boohoo" Boone (David Keith) to life, the cowboy and the Indian are initially hostile towards each another but are told to behave themselves. Omri reluctantly accepts Patrick's request to bring Little Bear and Boone to school, the two boys have an argument in the hallway and almost get caught by a teacher (Nestor Serrano), but they fool him the teacher and reconcile. Back home, Omri intends to bring to life a female Indian figurine to give Little Bear a new wife, but he finds the key to the cupboard is missing, brother Gillon confesses he dropped the key in the crawlspace, to get back at him. That night, Omri and Patrick, along with Little Bear and Boone, watch television, and a cowboys and Indians show, Boone is enthusiastic, while Little Bear watches in horror, and in confusion hearing gunshots he fires an arrow into Boone's chest. Later that night, Omri and Patrick find the key jammed between two floor boards, Little Bear goes under the floor and finds the key, just before he is nearly killed by the escaped pet rat. In the cupboard, Omri brings Tommy Atkins back to life to treat Boone's wounds, Omri comes to the realisation it is time to return Little Bear and Boone to their respective time periods where they belong. After Tommy Atkins returns to his own time, Boone awakens and forgives Little Bear, Omri wants to bring to life a female Indian figurine, so he is not alone, but agrees not to do so. The next morning, Omri and Patrick say their goodbyes to their friends before locking them back in the cupboard, sending them home and turning them back into figurines. In the end, Omri returns to school, he will never know where or how Little Bear may be, but he does not worry about him anymore. Also starring Lindsay Crouse as Jane, Lucas Tejwani and Leon Tejwani as Baby Martin and Sakina Jaffrey as Lucy. It is a very simple tale, a little boy with a magical cupboard that when locked can bring any toy figure to life, rap artist Litefoot gives a good performance as the transformed toy Indian, and Keith and Coogan are likeable when they are on, the small and large worlds clashing format is well done, there are good special effects, it is sweet-natured and has good messages about responsibility, and it makes you laugh and emotional at the right moments, one for all the family, a most watchable fantasy adventure. Very good!
rat jumps out as if from nowhere!
bigmouthjada24 November 2006
The only redeeming part of this movie is after he rescues the Indian from under the floorboards with the key, and then the rat jumps out, as if from nowhere!! I always rewind it at least 4 times. But only that part. This movie is very strange though, because this would never happen. I did always like the movie box when i was a child though, because you could switch it from the picture of the little boy to the fake cupboard door, and i got a key with it. How delightful. All in all, I would not recommend this movie for you to watch, because there are many better movies available for your viewing pleasure. A movie that I would recommend that still has a magical feel to it would be the 1976 version of Freaky Friday. Because magical things happen in this movie as well as that movie, but the Freaky Friday movie is much more enjoyable.
To see this movie with young eyes again...
akalite_libra21 March 2008
Warning: Spoilers
The movie about a boy who finds a cupboard, that once you put in an action figure or doll, they came to life. I searched high and low for one, and darn it, I never found it. I gave up, or did I? Lol, don't think I'm being serious. I use to love this movie. I still do. Sadly, our copy was sold at our garage sale when we moved out of our home in Canby. But, I'm not getting the DVD. Want to know why? Well, I saw it for the last time when I was 10, or so. I had to cover my mouth from restraining my laughter. I had never realized how bad the acting is. There is one scene where the lead character is panicking because his secrete is about to be exposed. I laughed. I laughed hard. I said goodbye to my copy, and I haven't looked back. I loved it, but I may only get it for when I start teaching. It's not really a movie I would want to watch by myself. At least, not anymore.
Lethal !
elshikh421 August 2008
Warning: Spoilers
Don't let the publicity fool you, this is not a nice fantasy; it is a horrible horror! Seriously, I've never felt of such suppressed provocation while watching a movie before; it's like ugly flu, being imprisoned, or forced to be with the silliest creatures at all. On the poster, you'll read: "An Adventure Comes to Life", well, apparently it dies again so fast!
So what's that movie exactly? I'll tell you, it's a philosophical film about the deep brotherhood between humans, the greatness of philanthropy, the acceptance of fate's decisions, and the stupidity of making all of that cinematically too!
As a fantasy, it lacks the imagination badly. Plus it's too gloomy and deadly slow (believe me, it's one of the slowest). Not to mention, the scarily tasteless mood all over it. I still remember how the leaden sense of it bothered me for the whole day after watching it. What can be more embarrassing than making a movie with good meanings that has no enjoyment, looks and feels wooden, and forces you to hate it?!
(Frank Oz) used to be a creative comic voice / puppeteer in the immortal television series (The Muppet Show), so its spin offs, and a good director occasionally as well, so what did happen?? It's even sadder when you know that it's written by (Melissa Mathison), the honorable lady who wrote once (E. T. the Extra-Terrestrial - 1982)!
(The Indian in the Cupboard) ranks proudly as one of the worst 50 movies I've ever seen. It might be useful only to punish your kids if they did something really wicked. However, on second thought, that could be a little bit sadistic!
So what's that movie exactly? I'll tell you, it's a philosophical film about the deep brotherhood between humans, the greatness of philanthropy, the acceptance of fate's decisions, and the stupidity of making all of that cinematically too!
As a fantasy, it lacks the imagination badly. Plus it's too gloomy and deadly slow (believe me, it's one of the slowest). Not to mention, the scarily tasteless mood all over it. I still remember how the leaden sense of it bothered me for the whole day after watching it. What can be more embarrassing than making a movie with good meanings that has no enjoyment, looks and feels wooden, and forces you to hate it?!
(Frank Oz) used to be a creative comic voice / puppeteer in the immortal television series (The Muppet Show), so its spin offs, and a good director occasionally as well, so what did happen?? It's even sadder when you know that it's written by (Melissa Mathison), the honorable lady who wrote once (E. T. the Extra-Terrestrial - 1982)!
(The Indian in the Cupboard) ranks proudly as one of the worst 50 movies I've ever seen. It might be useful only to punish your kids if they did something really wicked. However, on second thought, that could be a little bit sadistic!
A very moving, lovely tale of a young boy growing up
mbritt12167 January 2005
I must first say I was shocked to see that the average rating given this film was below 6 (when I checked it in Jan of '05). While I gave it a 10, I fully expected at least a mid 7 from the IMDb audience. It is a wonderful film that I love to show to my children. What's not to like? It has a unique plot - that of an Indian coming to life in a young boy's cupboard, and wonderful acting and music. Through the boy's experiences with the Indian (wonderfully played by Litefoot) he comes to a new level of maturity. Hal Scardino's acting is natural and totally believable. If you are tired of the cut-out child actors that Hollywood gives us too often, then you'll love Hal. What a fabulously underplayed performance. The ending always makes me and my wife cry. There are so few really good films for children. I hate to suffer through other films I bought for the kids (like "Inspector Gadget" - a truly awful film) and I wish that there were more films like this one. This is a wonderful film and I heartily recommend it.
Almost a Good Movie
El Queso Loco6 March 2000
Once again the book was MUCH better than its conversion to film. It had potential, but was turned into yet another bland family flick.
While not completely bad, both the scripting and acting were moderate at best. And though the special effects were better, it still dosen't hold a candle to "The Neverending Story" as far as imaginitive childrens films are conserned. If you like this movie I would probably recommend "Beethoven", "Fluke", and "Jack Frost".
While not completely bad, both the scripting and acting were moderate at best. And though the special effects were better, it still dosen't hold a candle to "The Neverending Story" as far as imaginitive childrens films are conserned. If you like this movie I would probably recommend "Beethoven", "Fluke", and "Jack Frost".
An interesting film with childish and mature characters
dean-r-collins10 December 2010
Even though I rated this plucky movie a 4, it doesn't mean I hate it, my dear friends. I liked it but it doesn't have the stuff to make it to my higher favoritism of movies. Frank Oz is imaginative, but I have to say that this film to me is not so Frank Oz, and movies that are adapted from books are quite impressive, but I can only say I was slightly impressed. For one thing, the cast is inadequate, I never heard of David Keith and Litefoot.
This story follows Omri, an extremely childish youngster who, for his birthday, receives a MAGICAL (ooh!) cupboard. The Cupboard lacks its key so Omri's mother (actress Lindsay Crouse, never heard of her), gives him her collection of keys, and guess what ? He finds the certain key on his second try! That part always took me aback. He puts in an antique Iroquois figure in the cupboard, and later in the morning he opens it to find the figure alive as a small Iroquois man. The pair has many tedious adventures, some including an idiotic rat ball and a down-right scruffy cowboy who was a toy figure too. The cupboard MAGICALLY turns plastic (plaz-teck!) things into their real life counterparts, only smaller. The pair soon learns that every boy must become a man (a typical, yet true moral).
Omri's character really is childish, yet endearing; his parents seem to pamper him, he's afraid of the dark, and he has lame 90's action figures; but he does mellow out in the end of the movie. I liked the acting, but it was no To Kill a Mocking Bird, even at moving parts. The Iroquois man was different from other Indian movies; he was a guru in a way. The music was just moderate and odd, though with one exception you'll know when you hear it.
Be warned, my dear readers, this movie contains slight profanity (embarrassing really); simulative killing and some ladies do a loathsome dance on TV at one point (they call this a kid movie, how embarrassing. Let's hope Omri was sleeping at that adultish scene). And no the kid does not play God, its just a story, have fun. Other than the 3 points I pointed out, the movie is plucky and it has a rather moving ending. It's an poorish if okay movie.
This story follows Omri, an extremely childish youngster who, for his birthday, receives a MAGICAL (ooh!) cupboard. The Cupboard lacks its key so Omri's mother (actress Lindsay Crouse, never heard of her), gives him her collection of keys, and guess what ? He finds the certain key on his second try! That part always took me aback. He puts in an antique Iroquois figure in the cupboard, and later in the morning he opens it to find the figure alive as a small Iroquois man. The pair has many tedious adventures, some including an idiotic rat ball and a down-right scruffy cowboy who was a toy figure too. The cupboard MAGICALLY turns plastic (plaz-teck!) things into their real life counterparts, only smaller. The pair soon learns that every boy must become a man (a typical, yet true moral).
Omri's character really is childish, yet endearing; his parents seem to pamper him, he's afraid of the dark, and he has lame 90's action figures; but he does mellow out in the end of the movie. I liked the acting, but it was no To Kill a Mocking Bird, even at moving parts. The Iroquois man was different from other Indian movies; he was a guru in a way. The music was just moderate and odd, though with one exception you'll know when you hear it.
Be warned, my dear readers, this movie contains slight profanity (embarrassing really); simulative killing and some ladies do a loathsome dance on TV at one point (they call this a kid movie, how embarrassing. Let's hope Omri was sleeping at that adultish scene). And no the kid does not play God, its just a story, have fun. Other than the 3 points I pointed out, the movie is plucky and it has a rather moving ending. It's an poorish if okay movie.
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