The Small Soldiers Ocula logo is connected to a character from the sci-fi film created in 1989 by director Joe Dante. The action-comedy genre influenced the emblems of its characters, so the peaceful monster Gorgonite is perceived as a nasty creature, even though it is curious and modest.
Small Soldiers Ocula: Brand overview
Ocula is a character from Joe Dante’s 1998 movie Small Soldiers, a blend of comedy and action that follows a conflict between the militaristic Commando Elite and the peaceful Gorgonites. Among the latter group, Ocula is known for his curiosity and eagerness to explore.
The character stands out with his unique design—a single, oversized eye on legs. Unlike the other Gorgonites, he communicates through blinking and whistling. In the story, Ocula serves as a scout, relying on his exceptional vision to gather information.
Created by Stan Winston Studio, famous for its expertise in animatronics and visual effects, the character underwent extensive development. Initially referred to as “Eyeball Head,” early designs incorporated humanoid features such as green skin and webbed feet, hinting at aquatic origins. The final, simpler design was chosen to ensure a more distinctive and memorable appearance.
After the film’s release, the character became a fan favorite. Hasbro produced toys based on him, and he appeared in video games inspired by the movie, such as Squad Commander, where he could throw objects and fire slime, and a PlayStation adaptation where his eye fired lasers.
The film and its characters, including this one-eyed scout, experienced a resurgence of interest in 2023 when it celebrated its 25th anniversary. Fans celebrated by sharing collectibles, fan art, and nostalgic reflections on social media, further cementing his legacy.
This unique creation remains a beloved part of the movie’s enduring appeal, capturing the imagination of original fans and new audiences decades later.
Meaning and History
What is Small Soldiers Ocula?
This is a character from a toy series created as part of a fantasy-themed action figure line. It stands out with a unique one-eyed design, blending the features of a robot and an alien being. The character’s personality combines a calm demeanor with a fighting spirit, highlighting its distinctive role in the conflict with an opposing faction. The toy is notable for intelligent features such as enhanced vision and stealth abilities, making it appealing to children and collectors alike.
1998 – today
The Small Soldiers Ocula emblem depicts a monster belonging to the Gorgonite tribe, created by Irwin. However, the creature is not scary: due to its curiosity, it performs educational tasks. Essentially, it is an observer designed for educational purposes. According to the creators’ lore, the character is female—peaceful, positive, and communicates by blinking (using a special eye-opening and closing code).
The monster has a long neck with a single large eye. This eye developed in its species due to the peculiar conditions of their planet, which lacks traditional sunlight. As a result, all its inhabitants mutated to maximize the development of their visual organs. Using this enhanced eye, they can catch faint traces of starlight reflected from the crystalline surface of their planet.
The long neck of the Gorgonite can extend even further. This allows the eye to rise higher for a better view, enabling it to observe its surroundings in detail and understand what is happening. This feature makes the fictional character appear curious, a trait well reflected in its logo. The eye looks intently ahead as if marveling at what it sees.
Ocula stands on three legs with suction cups that allow members of this alien species to securely grip smooth surfaces and move freely across the crystals of their home world. Its spider-like, jointed legs provide stable support. The logo’s beige color adds a sense of calmness and avoids irritation, harmonizing well with the green shade of the eye’s iris.
The designers created a unique badge for an unusual character—a portrait of an alien creature. The emblem does not include other elements, as it does not focus on deep symbolism or traditional informativeness (text). The Gorgonite monster does not require these, as its nature prevents it from communicating in ways familiar to humans. Ocula is depicted exactly as it is.