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Starship Troopers is a 1997 American science fiction action film directed by Paul Verhoeven and written by Edward Neumeier, based on the 1959 novel of the same name by the late Robert A. Heinlein. Set in the 23rd century, the story follows teenager Johnny Rico and his friends serving in the military of the United Citizen Federation, an Earth world government engaged in interstellar war with an alien species of Arachnids. The film stars Casper Van Dien, Dina Meyer, Denise Richards, Jake Busey, Neil Patrick Harris, Patrick Muldoon, and Michael Ironside.
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BUUUUUGS!!!
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Plot
In the 23rd century, the Earth is at war with a race of giant alien insects. Little is known about the Bugs except that they are intent on eradicating all human life. But there was a time before the war... A Mobile Infantry travels to distant alien planets to take the war to the Bugs. They are a ruthless enemy with only one mission: Their species' survival no matter the cost.
Why It Deserves To Be In The Army... In Space
- It's decently faithful to the 1959 book that was made by the late Robert A. Heinlein, which succeeds into an action-packed killer bug war film that at least didn't recycle the elements from Aliens, nor do to Star Wars.
- The concept about the space troopers going to invade into a bug planet of insectoid species known as "Arachnids" is pretty creative.
- At least the story makes a lot of scenes, for the most part, and it's pretty decent, for the most part.
- The CGI for the bigger bugs looks decent, which decently terrifies the audiences, even by 1997 standards.
- Decent pacing.
- Likable characters, such as Casper Van Dien as Pvt./Cpl./Sgt./Lt. John "Johnny" Rico, Dina Meyer as Pvt. Isabelle "Dizzy" Flores, etc..
- The scene where the troopers attack the big bugs in the base is very epic, making it one of the iconic scenes in the entire film.
- Good acting, especially for Casper Van Dien, and Neil Patrick Harris.
- Paul Verhoeven, who was the same director who directed the film RoboCop did a good job directing the movie.
- Nice cinematography done by Jost Vacano.
- The soundtrack is amazing, and suspenseful by Basil Poledouris.
- BUUUUUGS!!!
"BUGS" Qualities
- The acting can be a bit wooden at times throughout.
- There are some extremely dumb moments throughout the movie.
- The CGI did age very badly by today's standards.
- Johnny Rico's parents are unlikeable characters at the start since they care about going to a vacation in Mars instead of agreeing to Rico on going to the military. However, they get their comeuppances by the bug meteor, but that one is also emotional.
Reception
The film received mostly negative reviews from American critics upon its release, however, the reception to mostly positive reviews in retrospect, and it was considered to be the best film of the 1990s, holding 66% on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 68 reviews, with an average rating of 6.2/10. The site's consensus is: "A fun movie...if you can accept the excessive gore and wooden acting.", Metacritic scores a film a 51/100 rating, while IMDB scores a film a 7.2/10 rating.
Trivia
- The film was directed by Paul Verhoeven, who was the same director that directed RoboCop.