Directed by Paul Verhoeven
Written by Ed Neumeier, based on the book by Robert A. Heinlein
Cast: Casper Van Dien, Dina Meyer, Denise Richards, Jake Busey, Neil Patrick Harris, Clancy Brown, Seth Gilliam, Patrick Muldoon, Michael Ironside, Rue McClanahan, Marshall Bell, Eric Bruskotter, Matt Levin, Blake Lindsley, Anthony Ruivivar, Brenda Strong, Dean Norris, Christopher Curry, Lenore Kasdorf, Amy Smart, Timothy Omundson, Dale Dye
Soundtrack: Basil Poledouris
I have to admit, I am one of those people who thought this was a “bad movie” the first time I saw it.
In my defense though, I was watching it on TBS, and I was young. After all, there’s no such thing as “irony” when you’re in middle school, mostly because kids are stupid.
Once I got a little older though, and I could see Starship Troopers front-to-back in its full glory, I finally got the joke, which let me appreciate all the other wonderful things about it.
Heck, on paper, this is a sure-fire smash. You’ve got nearly the whole creative team from RoboCop back for another satirical romp ten years later, but I guess for some reason people didn’t realize it was a satire? I mean, I can understand the studio not knowing how to market it (not to mention the line of children’s toys), but critics really should have known better (then again, I scratch my head plenty at what paid critics for major outlets say today, so, maybe it’s unfair to have such high expectations for these people).
Even taking out the story and satirical elements though, the technical achievement alone is enough to get you your money’s worth, as there are incredible blends of digital and practical effects (often miniatures). Not to be that guy, but Starship Troopers often looks better than many (if not most) movies today.
What’s the heart of the movie? Well, that’s the joke. On the surface it’s a soap opera science fiction epic, but really it’s a commentary on unbridled fascism; and yet it doesn’t take itself too seriously. You know, like RoboCop, but for some reason that’s regarded as a classic and Starship Troopers largely isn’t.
Don’t listen to the haters. See it again, for the first time.
Rating: ★★★★☆
P.S.
Dizz is The Best Woman. Everyone knows that.