Starship Troopers
Directed by Paul Verhoeven
Written by Edward Neumeier
(Very loosely) Based on the novel by Robert A. Heinlein
In the far future, the world’s nations have settled their differences and joined together to form a new federation. No longer are people divided by race, gender or class – all are equal in a regime that grants exclusive voting rights to those that have severed the federation. However, man is still not at peace as the federation is at war with the planet Klendathu. After the death of his parents, Johnny Rico (Casper Van Dien) joins the military to wage vengeance against the bugs responsible.
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Paul Verhoeven’s masterpiece stands alongside his
RoboCop as possibly the greatest satire ever filmed. Absolutely ruthless in its execution, it raises a defiant middle finger towards right-wing polemic, American Imperialism and military propaganda. Basically, it annihilates everything the novel stood for. No wonder American audiences rejected it on release.
Verhoeven’s genius was to take the source material and turn it into the most colourful, gosh-darnest blast of fun ever put onto celluloid. Despite the epic scenes of carnage that feature people being ripped apart, burned to death or eaten alive, everyone carries a dazzling smile to rival any toothpaste advertisement. A solemn paragraph in the book that featured a crippled officer is turned into an ode to patriotism. The film displays the absolute madness that is fascism by simply demonstrating how absurd the whole thing is.
The casting is perfect for the material. Now, I’m not saying Van Dien and Denise Richards are going to challenge any established thespians out there (although, I do think Dina Meyers and Neil Patrick Harris are genuinely good), but they work for the film. They look like they stepped out of a model photoshoot and give battle scenes that rival
Saving Private Ryan’s opening, a certain sex factor. Of course, this is Verhoeven’s intention as in the totalitarian world of
Starship Troopers, war is fun and rewarding. And
hot!
Even in the tech department,
Starship Troopers is a marvel. The art direction and cinematography hint at the most sarcastic piss-take of
Star Trek (everything is made of bright pastels). The rousing score by Basil Poledouris is good enough to make you rise to your feet and place your hand over your heart. And finally, the creature design is extraordinary. Despite being made in 1997, the special effects hold up better than most modern big-budget features. You will believe that the bugs are real!
Starship Troopers is one of the finest films ever made. Every frame is pure joy. Smart, funny, sexy and subversive –
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P.S. Any film that has both Michael Ironside and Clancy Brown is definitely worth a watch. See Walter Hill's
Extreme Prejudice for further evidence.