This film was intended as a WW2 homage, but the sneak insect attack on the innocent citizens of Argentina now has an eerie 9/11 feel to it. Starship Troopers was criticised at the time of its release by far-left elements of the Australian media as being a right wing propaganda piece. Obviously the films satirical nature went completely over their heads. Although Verhoeven has been labelled a right wing filmmaker, he's more a straight shooter who shows things as he sees them.
This is easily the best sci-fi film of the last decade. I must have seen it at least five times in the couple of weeks it played at my local theatre. It used a successful marriage of CGI and good old fashioned special effects to show us a universe that George Lucas was never creative enough to come close to. The only real weaknesses came from some of the lead actors... but given the campy nature of the film, this was probably a good thing. Character actors such as Michael Ironside, and Clancy Brown also plug up any holes in the acting roster.
Unlike George Lucas, Paul Verhoeven also wisely remembers the science part of science fiction. There are aspects of all the technology and lifeforms in Starship Troopers that we're all familiar with. Instead of taking the Lucas route and making the bugs so fantastic that they look fake, he's made them resemble real insects. The soldier's equipment also has a lot in common with technology we're familiar with today. These are the things that best aid the suspension of disbelief.
From Flesh & Blood, to Robocop, to Showgirls, Hollow Man, and beyond, Paul Verhoeven has always been an eclectic filmmaker and social commentator. Like him, or hate him, he can never been accused of being boring. It's a pity that Starship Troopers didn't perform well at the box office, because this is one film I'd like to see become a movie franchise. It has gained a reasonable cult following though. If you're after a great epic sci-fi movie packed with action and satire, then this is for you. |
