Starship Troopers (1997)

"It's a war movie, only this time we really do 'dehumanize' the enemy." - Paul Verhoeven

"Starship Troopers" is not only the best Sci-Fi movie of the 90's, it's also the best war movie of this decade too. It's cinematic vision utilizing top-notch graphics and aesthetically pleasing young cast is only surpassed by Director Paul Verhoeven ability to present tense, involving, hyperactive battle sequences.

The film starts with a device Verhoeven employes throughout the film: futuristic newsreel images that are inspired by 90's computer technology, as if all TV of the future is kind of like being on-line. This is used to not only show us the technological frontiers of this timeframe but also the political ones. It's a well-done contrivance that allows exposition quite effectively.

The film soon gets into it's plot and, for a short time, we're afraid this is going to be some sort of futuristic "Beverly Hills 90210." The leads, Casper Van Diem, Dina Meyer, Denise Richards and Neil Patrick Harris are shown in a supposed high school setting that uses 3D holographics and is taught by war survivors of some seeming holocaust. Rue McClanahan and Michael Ironsides are scarred and handicapped by their past experiences and this allows us to learn more about this fictionalized society. But the scenes with the youth cast seem a bit silly and phony. It is only after the film progresses that we will see that this is Verhoeven's way of defining these characters and setting us up for their eventual evolution.

The film takes it's time and unwinds at a pace that really allows us to become involved with the characters. We are also introduced to a few other personalities during this phase of the film, the most notable of which is Ace played by Jake Busey. Here's a young guy to watch. His work here helps us to get into the lives of these characters, especially Van Diem's Johnny Rico and Meyer's Diz. We feel, like him, that we are becoming a part of a group. This is important because eventually Verhoeven moves us into battle scenes which are so captivating and so enthralling, that we feel as if we are there. We go to war.

We see everything through the eyes of these new recruits and we are as impassioned as they are about their cause. We are as frightened and as full of adrenaline as they are. When we finally do see battle, as the first wave of a battalion landing on another planet, it is intense and terrifying. It's literally breathtaking in it's ability to put us there, with the characters, on the screen, in the action. The fantastic special effects and the precision editing make the scenes come to life and jump off of the screen at us. When one of the characters is attacked, we are attacked, When one of the characters dies, we do too. It's vicious.

"Starship Troopers" has one "yeah right" moment that does cheat the viewer. But we are so glad to see the plotline continue, that we can actually forgive the situation. Since this is based on a novel by Robert A. Heinlein, we assume it's a situation that evolves from the source anyway.

After this one slip, the film gets back on track and continues to go and go, taking us into more intense battle segments. The second half of the film is a rollercoaster ride that simply continues to engross us and further show us exactly what it would be like to be in this intergalactic, interspecies war. "Starship Troopers" takes us on the front line and into the air to do battle. We see all aspects of this war and become involved in each one.

The cast gets progressively better as the film unravels. This is important because we soon realize that we are watching these characters grow and change. The most notable of these is Van Diem who proves himself more than a pretty face and becomes a compelling and a commanding figure. It is only at this point in the film that we see the full landscape of Verhoeven's and scripter Edward Numeier's characters. We start out as shallow and as naive as these high school kids in the film. By the time it ends, like them, we are physically and emotionally drained season veterans.

There is a school of thought here in the 20th century which leads us to believe that all future wars will be fought by computers and missiles. That hand to hand combat simply will not exist in forthcoming battles. "Starship Troopers" negates any such thoughts. It frightens us with it's fierce militaristic front line mentality. It transports us to a future war that is more intense and more grizzly than anything we've ever experienced on film before. It adds a new and exhilarating dimension to the phrase "You Are There."

Note: Also with Patrick Muldoon.

Numeier is also a Co-Produces. Music by Basil Poledouris. (Review written in 1997)

Report Card

Script: A

Acting: A

Cinematography\Lighting: A+

Special Effects\Make Up: A+

Music: A

Final Grade: A+