Mr. Verhoeven likes to amaze us. He has done it in the past sometimes successfully (Basic Instinct, RoboCop, Total Recall) and sometimes he has overdone it numbness (Showgirls, Hollow Man). Starship troopers finds its place somewhere right in the middle and it is up to us to decide where we want to take it. This burden is sorely unpleasent at times and that may ultimately tilt the scale.
Loosely based on a book by Robert A. Heinlein, this film can only be viewed without comparison to its progeny. It has everything you would expect from a hollywood b-movie. One of the most unbelievable and predictable action sequences. Horribly gory and downright stupid at times. Special effects so overdone that it starts to feel like a video game.
Earth is threatened by bugs from another system planets, who hail meteors to destroy the planet. Government ( its all one ) hires soldiers it calls 'citizens' that risk their lives to fight these bugs.
The movies shines in its underlying theme of mocking at the American war industry. All with commercials glorifying the violence of the american soldiers and the portrayel of their opponents as inhuman monsters -- bugs if you prefer. If you watch the entire movie as a cruel satire then you will get your thrills and humour and enjoy the movie. However, you got to remember that the movie is doing everything it can to take your pleasure away -- so be on your guard.
Loosely based on a book by Robert A. Heinlein, this film can only be viewed without comparison to its progeny. It has everything you would expect from a hollywood b-movie. One of the most unbelievable and predictable action sequences. Horribly gory and downright stupid at times. Special effects so overdone that it starts to feel like a video game.
Earth is threatened by bugs from another system planets, who hail meteors to destroy the planet. Government ( its all one ) hires soldiers it calls 'citizens' that risk their lives to fight these bugs.
The movies shines in its underlying theme of mocking at the American war industry. All with commercials glorifying the violence of the american soldiers and the portrayel of their opponents as inhuman monsters -- bugs if you prefer. If you watch the entire movie as a cruel satire then you will get your thrills and humour and enjoy the movie. However, you got to remember that the movie is doing everything it can to take your pleasure away -- so be on your guard.