Rating: 
Summary: Love This Movie.
Review: I really do love this movie. I think Starship Troopers is a great action packed movie. I thought the movie had an interesting idea instead of blowing up a major city such as London or New York, they picked Buenos Aires. The storyline was interesting it was about a bug race trying to eliminate us. This movie released in 1997 grossed 54 million dollars and it cost 95 million to make. This is a violent film and has sexuality in it. It is not recommended for children. The DVD is good but it should be a lot better.
Rating:
Summary: Must be put in context
Review: I feel compelled to write because I think this movie is being viewed in an overly negative manner by people whose reviews miss an appropriate context in which to view the film.I love this movie. It is a brilliant and thrilling piece of pop filmmaking. From the title, to the ultra-colored comic book look, to the tv and computer media influences, to the intensely fun teen-movie romance, and splattering gore, I have not seen a movie that excited me this much for a long time. I hold Robocop in high regard, but I am inclined to put this film a little above it. If you enjoy a healthy dose of playful pop in your movies, I think this movie is perfect. If you want a literal translation of the book, certainly stay away. If you are looking for some version of gritty future realism, whatever that may be, stay away. If you can't locate the thoughtful depth in movies that don't come with a serious tone, stay away. If you like excitement, satire, comedy, pulp, violence, and sex, all served in a colorful stew of spaceships and monsters, this is the movie for you! PS. I didn't get the original DVD version, waiting for an enhanced edition. From what I have read, people who had the previous edition feel cheated by the new. I agree: a "director's cut" would be nice, but I can't complain about the new double disc set.
Rating:
Summary: One of the greatest, most realistic sci-fi movies ever made
Review: Although it lacks the magical aura of the Star Wars movies, I regard Starship Troopers as one of the finest science fiction films ever made. The graphics are incredible and the storyline pulses with a strong dash of a sociopolitical critique. In the future, you are either a citizen or a civilian; only citizens can vote, and the only guaranteed manner in which to earn citizenship is voluntary service in the Federation's armed forces. The movie begins with a series of propagandistic news teasers about the state of the threat posed to mankind by the giant alien bugs of the Klendathu system on the other side of the galaxy, a civilization that has been launching deadly meteors at Earth for some time. In the middle of the carnage of the ill-fated invasion of Klendathu, the scene shifts back to the year before. Johnny Rico (Caspar Van Dien) signs up for military service because his girlfriend Carmen Ibanez (Denise Richards) has joined up with the hope of becoming a pilot; their mutual friend Carl Jenkins (Neil Patrick Harris) also joins up. While Carmen is accepted to flight school and Jenkins is assigned to military intelligence, Rico is made a grunt in the Mobile Infantry. He is joined there by another former classmate, Dizzy Flores (played wonderfully by Dina Meyer), who has long had her eye on Rico. Boot camp is incredibly harsh and difficult because the MI only wants the best soldiers. Before long, a Klendathu meteor strikes the earth, wiping Buenos Aires off the map, and the armed forces quick launch an invasion of Klendathu. The rest of the movie revolves around the continuing war effort, featuring some incredible battle scenes with loads of gory realism. This is Rico's story. He joined up for the wrong reasons (but I can certainly understand how a Denise Richards could influence such a decision), soon receives a "Dear John" video letter from Carmen (although their paths will cross again), and indirectly causes the death of one of his squad members, but when the war begins he quickly becomes not only a real soldier but a real leader, as well. This is no easy task, as his climb in the ranks is made possible by the death of those he serves under. I love Denise Richards, but her role in the movie never quite seemed to fit her. All she cares about is flying, and she is quick to ingratiate herself upon those she thinks can help her make it to the fleet academy; in space, she quickly forgets all about Rico and teams up with her direct supervisor. There is very little human about her--contrast this with Dizzy, who is very down to earth and serves as the true heroine of the action. Possibly in line with the rather obvious fascist satire of the one-world earth federation, the military intelligence guys dress like the Gestapo, and believe me when I say that seeing Doogie Howser in a Gestapo-like getup is a rather surreal experience. The effects are top of the line. The CGI animation of the giant bugs is incredible and very realistic; they rely on their pointed appendages rather than actual weapons to skewer and slash the enemy, and they really know how to tear into a human body. It takes a lot of bullets to kill them, and they die rather messily. The deaths of earth's soldiers is also ultra-realistic and realistically gory. As morbid as this sounds, I must say that nowhere else have I seen beheadings done so perfectly and believably. Most impressive of all are the visual effects of earth's spaceships; the explosions in space are of epic proportions, and we see greatly detailed features of ships splitting in two, crashing, and burning. While this movie may not be true to the original Heinlein spirit, it nevertheless does succeed as thought-provoking moviemaking at its best. The social and political implications of the type of future society presented here are quite relevant to the world as we know it today, as are the insights into fighting a world-wide war against enemies we may not truly understand. The warfare is intense and the heroic actions of many of the movie's characters are awe-inspiring, but the movie pulls no punches in bringing home the fact that war is a terrible, ugly business and warns us that we must really know our enemies before launching a war against them. I won't go into the various subplots, but they hold the movie together and really force its points home on the viewer. At 130 minutes long, you really get your money's worth--this is science fiction movie-making at its best.
Rating: 
Summary: Great Movie-Terrible Sp.Ed.
Review: Again, another marketing ploy. Don't misunderstand me, this is my ALL TIME fave movie. For years I was praying for a Sp. Ed., especially in light of Columbia's recent DELUXE-SUPERBIT titles, and when this was announced I nearly wet my pants! Then, later, as the 2 disc set's specs were unveiled I couldn't believe it. Just what is the point in re-issuing an exactly, and I mean EXACTLY, identical release again, just over two discs instead of one? Ok, ok...it does have a few new bits and pieces that yeah, as a Troopers fanatic, I felt were satisfying. But come on, most of us into DVD are into for the movies, not the extras. So here's me nievely wishing for a 'Directors Cut' with maybe a re-mastered DTS sound-track. But no, an identical re-issue of the first release of over 4 years ago, just repackaged. Much like the "new improved" washing powder on the stores shelves!? Surely technology has moved on to justify the original being remastered for home-theatres? However, one must consider the fact that this movie caused a pretty big dint in Columbia's wallet. So, rather cynically, I can only assume that this is one of their ways to have a laugh back at us, at our (quite literal) expense. In conclusion, if you're considering buying this DVD and DON'T own the first release, of course, this is THE version to buy. But if you've already got it, there really is nothing new here to justify its purchase again. This DVD should have been ripe to earn at least 4 stars. A disgraceful release Columbia should be ashamed of. A Troopers fan seriously deflated!
Rating:
Summary: Starship Troopers
Review: Don't believe any negative remarks about this film. Make no mistake about it - this is one of the best sci-fi films in recent years. Paul Verhoeven creates his best film since Robocop, with similar excesses in gratuitous violence permeated with a unique sense of humorous satire. The effects shots are absolutely incredible, from the wonderful ships hurtling through space to the brilliant CGI array of giant, killer insects on Bug Planet. The reviewers who commented that the acting was terrible apparently haven't seen "The Fast And The Furious".
Rating:
Summary: Bloody Brilliant!
Review: Robocop director Paul Verhoeven brings us another epic battle between good and evil... Only this time, the enemy has eight limbs and there's not a giant slipper in sight! The story is simple; a rookie space cadet flies to a far off planet and discovers love, loss and aliens with pointy slice-happy pincers. So naturally, the film does have Verhoeven's trademark touch of extream violence, and Starship Troopers especially manages to make Reservoir Dogs look like a Disney movie! But don't be put off, it's great fun. Character development and meaningfull dialogue are kept to a minimum, to make way for full on action and suspence all the way! The leads are just right, the special effects will blow you away and the direction is up to Verhoeven's usuall standard... PERFECT! All I can say really, is BYE IT!
Rating:
Summary: Hard to imagine worse
Review: Someone else here said they hate to give this movie even one star and I have to agree. I have not read the book this movie is based on but I understand it is very good. I am not taking anything away from it or the author since I haven't read it myself. As for the movie ... This is hands down the worst movie I have ever seen. I know that sounds harsh but this is one of only two movies I have ever had to fast forward through because I just couldn't sit through it -- I seriously tried. Denise Richards is a poor actress period but her performance in this movie was shockingly fake. Quite frankly, I was embarrassed for her ... and most of the cast really. I can't recall a single good performance. I have heard about the plot of the book and I see no resemblance in the movie. What did I get out of this movie as the point? Choppy scene progression, gratuitous nudity like I've never seen before, very campy sets, gratuitous language and sexual content, gratuitous and graphic violence like I've never seen before, and acting that was so bad that it couldn't have been more fake and contrived if the actors were holding their scripts throughout the film. Seriously, this movie had no merit whatsoever -- and I am trying to be gentle. Sorry folks. Just be glad you read this before you put good money on this.
Rating: 
Summary: Well underrated
Review: I admit the first time I saw this movie, I thought it was really stupid and a really bad adaptation of the classic Heinlein novel. But now that I've re-watched this movie a couple times, I gotta admit that it's a pretty good flick. Yes, it's mindless and features pretty boys/girls with perfect bodies. But there's a lot of social commentary in there and the technology was pretty revolutionary for its time. If you turn your brain down a bit and just enjoy, it's a pretty fun way to spend 90 minutes or so.
Rating:
Summary: Sarcasm is in the eye of the beholder...
Review: WARNING...this is a movie opinion, not a DVD review. I'll skip over the great special effects, the awesome pacing, and the tense action to address this question of sarcasm. Another reveiwer writes that he doesn't care for the bashing of patriotism or the militiary. I can see how he came to the conclusion that ST is all about anti-fascism, but I see the movie in a different light. Look at what this movie says and does while it's being tongue in cheek. These people populate a vibrant society that works succesfully. People are happy and comfortable, they have nice homes and attend sporting events and graduation parties.
Contrast this with most "future" movies like Bladerunner or The Matrix that portray a dismal, colorless world of suffering and despair. Gattaca was much more a warning of the dangers of fascism. Starship Troopers shows a sunny and pleasantly upbeat place to live, and the price humanity has to pay in order to maintain their existence. Yes, there are over-the-top militiary recruitment ads. There are pro-war propaganda spots like the US had during WWII. But it's necessary. These people are in the fight of their life. If they lose, humanity is lost. It's understandable that a society would react in survival mode with everyone wanting to do their part to win the war. So don't be so quick to slap a label of sarcasm on the gung ho militiary aspects of the movie. The film portrays a perspective of might makes right, and it is this steadfast attitude of do-or-die in all the major characters that eventually turns the tide of the war. These people have good lives, and in the vein of Mel Gibson's character in The Patriot, they can't affort to be squeamish about defending them. They will fight ..and they will win! This is a great film and I have asked for the Special Edition DVD for father's day.
Rating:
Summary: Why We Fight
Review: STARSHIP TROOPERS is based on the Sci-fi novel by Robert A. Heinlein. It centers around a group of brave futuristic soldiers, who after boot camp, travel to a distant part of space to do battle with a race of insect-like creatures, who threaten all of mankind. Directed by Paul Verhoeven, the film is a mix of high camp, good looking CGI, and pseudo drama. Verhoeven took some heat for infusing the film with an undercurrent of facism, while there is no denying that there are elements of that in the movie, I don't think that it should be considered as anything all that important. I see the film as one gigantic piece of fluff and nothing more. The cast is led by Casper Van Dien and Denise Richards (the Barbie and Ken of space) and is suitable, given the material. I must admit, out loud, to liking the film, more and more, as far as space movies go. What surprised me the most with this latest viewing is how good the CGI looks, the interaction between cast and creature works well here. This is campy fun of the highest order, no more no less, a cool space romp. All of this and Dina Meyer too. The new 2 disc set features additional extras that were not on the previous release. There is an all new 35 minute documentry with cast and crew. There are also a number of featurettes concerning the F/X. The deleted scenes, original making of feature, and the Director/Writer commentary are lifted right from the previous DVD. All of it makes for a solid set. If you already own the last disc of STARSHIP TROOPERS, and are a fan of the movie, the decision to buy this product may be a hard one. Still, even with the "new" stuff, I recommend the set a rental first, and then go from there
|
