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Starship Troopers Week: Starship Troopers 1
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Remember that crazy-violent movie made in 1997 by the same mad dutchman who did Total Recall and Robocop? Hard to forget. Remember how two sequels were made? Hard to believe. It's true, though, Starship Troopers 2: Hero of the Federation and Starship Troopers: Marauder were the original's straight to DVD sequels, and it's all part of this examiner's Starship Troopers week. First, let's review the O.G.
Originally a serial published in the Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction in 1959 and later that year in hardback, the story was by Robert Heinlein. Like many other book adaptations, there's very little similarities in the film, but the overall theme is there: militarism. Doing anything for the cause and the capital punishment that will follow if one isn't up to the task for their country (and in this case, their planet), or, in other words, civic virtue. First, for those of you who've deprived yourselves of this fantastic fantasy, the story.
Casper Van Dien is our hero as Johnny Rico, a kid from Buenes Aires who decides to sign up for the federation, earth's intergalactic military, in hopes of doing his part as a citizen in the war against the bugs, a nasty race of, well, bugs, who are threating the safety of earth's people by sending huge meteors right into the planet. It's not until Rico has enlisted that war is declared on these bugs, sending Rico to the Klendathu System where the bugs reside. Back home, Rico had a main squeeze, Carmen (Denise Richards), but when she enlists, she decides she wants to fly ships while Rico chooses mobile infantry. Another girl, Dizzy, who chooses mobile (a decision which may or may not be based in Rico's involvement), has always vied after the hunky Rico, and soon a love triangle ensues. The rest of the story is about the war on the bugs, how our people discover that there might be more to the bugs than their animalistic exterior, and what we do about it. The rest of the cast is healthy, including Doogie Houser (Neil Patrick Harris), Jake Busey, Michael Ironside and even a tiny part by new comer Amy Smart.
And now the good stuff: Why this movie rocks. First, it's by Paul Verhoeven, and that's enough for those of you familiar with his previous works (this was, by the opinion of many, his last good film). But if, for some reason, one needs more than that, indulge: Balancing satire on the range of a feature length film can be a tricky accomplishment. Not only is it pulled off with Starship, but the satire flawlessly transitions between hardcore gore-filled action, romantic drama and some seriously kick-ass morale. You'll hate the love betrayals, laugh at the federation's die hard expectations of loyalty, and stand up and cheer when someone takes down a bug. And the effects! Nominated for a Best Effects Academy Award, Starship has plenty of fantastic looking visuals that hold up to today's standards (imagine how much they impressed us 12 years ago). Even the simple things make one smile: Neil Patrick Harris' stern character, the hilariously serious Michael Ironside, the dreaded brainbug, and, who could forget, the infamous co-ed shower scene (funny bit about that: the cast agreed to do the scene only if director Verhoeven directed naked...so his wrinkly old ass did!...ew).
All-in-all, Starship Troopers leaves the audience wanting more, much more. That's why this examiner was so happy to discover that there wasn't just one, but TWO sequels. Sadly, they were directed by Paul Verhoeven, so they ended up being a bit (and this is an understatement) different than the first. Find out what they were like in the next two reviews for Starship Troopers Week!
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