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Set on
future earth, Johnny Rico (Casper Van Dien) is a young student dating a
girl named Carmen Ibanez (Denise Richards). When Carmen decides to join
the military in order to become a class citizen (citizenship is only
achieved through serving your country), Johnny follows and joins as
well. He soon realizes that he joined for the wrong reasons but just as
he is about to quit, an asteroid that originated from the orbit of
planet "Klendathu" hits Buenos Aires (his home town) and kills his
family. Johnny and his fellow troopers set out to destroy the planet's
inhabitants: a type of deadly and very large scaled space bug. Through a
seemingly ordinary action flick, director Paul Verhoeven creates a
subtle anti-war theme, that shows us a fascist and military world far
more frightening than WW2's Germany, Italy or Russia, the kind of world
that is actually functioning.
I love this
movie for what it is and hate it for what it should have been. What it
is – A fun filled special effects bonanza filled with action, gore, bugs
and spaceships. What it should have been – A deep political satire of
the politics and POV of war and the media coverage/spin that plagues it.
In simpler terms, more like the book. And that's about as deep as I am
going to get. Want to know more? Read the book. I would also recommend
reading some of the reviews of the book on Amazon.com or more of the
movie reviews on IMDB. I have read the book and enjoyed it, but when I
want mindless violence and good special effects, I throw this in the
player.
The
casting? This was the first thing I had seen Casper Van Dien in. For
what this movie is, he does a decent job. Denise Richards may not be the
greatest actress, but who cares? Charlie – What the **bleep** were you
thinking!?! Dina Meyer as Dizzy Flores was one of the better
performances, much better than Johnny Mnemonic. She seemed the most
realistic of the characters, although she did look a little old to be in
high school as she was 29 when this film was made. Neil Patrick Harris
as Carl, he proves that he isn't just Doogie Howser. Jake Busey as Ace,
I like him. Not as creepy as his dad and he does a good job. Michael
Ironside is always a bad ass in anything he does. He is the only reason
to watch the old TV series V, with the Visitors who are just humanoid
lizards in disguise. He also has one of the coolest voices I have ever
heard. Lastly, look for the cameo by Rue McClanahan, Blanche from The
Golden Girls fame.
Paul
Verhoeven definitely has an interesting style. I love the commercials
and PSA's he has used in this and Robocop off the top of my head. Total
Recall was one of the first “mind f***” movies that I had ever seen and
still don't know if it was a dream. Hell, I even like Showgirls.
They
briefly touch on some of the deeper aspects of the movie in a few brief
scenes. Such as when Rico and his father are arguing about the
importance of Federal Service and in some of Rasczak's teachings. If you
read the book you will learn more about these ideas and more behind the
“Administrative Punishment” and why you need to be a Citizen in order to
vote, have children and enter politics. Basically in my eyes, this movie
is just a big commercial for the book.
The effects
are nothing short of awesome. Even after almost 10 years have gone by. I
have seen this movie 7 or 8 times and I am still floored. All the bugs
look great except for the brain bug, which looks slightly obscene. If
you've seen it, you know what I mean. If you like Sci-Fi action and
war-style gore, watch this flick. If you are looking for a deeper,
satirical look at the politics of war, read the book.
One last
thing. I beg you, do not bother with Starship Troopers 2: Hero of the
Federation. It is a big stinking, steaming pile of c**p. The only thing
they have in common is that there is a bug or two in it.
So, until
we need 20 foot tall cans of Raid,
keep
reading.
Mitch
Best Lines:
Newsreel
Announcer: They'll keep fighting... and they'll WIN.
Jean
Rasczak: They sucked his brains out.
Jean
Rasczak: Figuring things out for yourself is practically the only
freedom anyone really has nowadays. Use that freedom.
Jean
Rasczak: Correct. Violence has resolved more conflicts than anything
else. The contrary opinion that violence doesn't solve anything is
merely wishful thinking at its worst.
Newsreel
Announcer: Join the Mobile Infantry and save the Galaxy. Service
guarantees citizenship. Would you like to know more?
Johnny: M.I.
does the dying. Fleet just does the flying.
[after Rico
gets a Dear John from Carmen]
Ace Levy:
Ain't it great how they want to be your friend right after they rip your
guts out?
Jean
Rasczak: You. Why are only citizens allowed to vote?
Student:
It's a reward. Something the federation gives you for doing federal
service.
Jean
Rasczak: No. Something given has no basis in value. When you vote, you
are exercising political authority, you're using force. And force my
friends is violence. The supreme authority from which all other
authorities are derived.
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