Rating: 
Summary: Skinnies!!!
Review: this animated series of starship troopers is far more respectful of the book than the film was. with skinnies and jumpjets, you just can't go wrong here.
the group of marines end up on the skinnie home planet of tophet. you really get a good feel of the alien race and their practices. it's super hot on this red planet and the series never lets you forget it - something i love about these guys. they effectively put you in terrestrial environments and force you to feel like you're actually there.
great episodes include the skinnie capture of the marine force and their escape. rico's new pet squirrel-thing friend and the robot that joins the squad is particularly awesome. look for the skinnie trap-rifles! they are exeptionally cool!
Rating: 
Summary: CAUTION: Warrior bugs are bigger than they appear on your TV
Review: This disc contains episodes 11 thru 15 of Roughnecks: Starship Troopers Chronicles (40 episodes altogether). We are introduced to a new alien species called the Skinnies (a concept taken directly from Heinlein's novel) and the very survival of the Roughnecks squad may hinge on whether the Skinnies prove to be friend or foe. The CGI quality varies from episode to episode as there were two different animation studios involved in the production (Foundation Imaging and Flat Earth Productions). To understand how the two studios were able to collaborate and create one of the best CGI series of all time, this disc has an extensive Technical Commentary track which allows animators from both effects houses to weigh in. There is also a Filmmakers' Commentary to offer perspective from the Columbia/Tristar writers, directors, and the voice actor for my favorite character, T'Phai (voiced by Steve Staley). So in case you hadn't noticed, I am extremely satisfied with this DVD. The "CHAS" episode (ep. 13 where a cybernetic robot is assigned to the Roughnecks squad) is also a fan favorite which is essential Roughnecks viewing. So what are you waiting for? Go buy this DVD!
Rating:
Summary: An emotional breather surrounded by non-stop action!
Review: WOW! This is an excellent series of episodes! My favorite thus far! Beware, the animation is not up to par with the other DVDs. Supposedly, these episodes were done early so there are artifacts like slow motion and, most noticably, strobing (which makes the movement of the characters stilted and unnatural). But such deficiencies are easy to look over since the stories and action sequences are so involving. The Tophet campaign is a little different from the others in terms of action. Usually, all they do is shoot the bugs like there's no tomorrow (whether with guns or marauders or skimmers or airships). Tophet has them flipping, sliding, and wielding poles instead of guns. Much more melee combat in this one which is a good change of pace. We are also introduced to the skinnies, who look great! They did an excellent job of character design. But the best part of this campaign is CHAS. He is a cybernetic robot soldier in the likeness of HAL and Terminator (there's even a sequence of CHAS walking out of flames like the T-1000). CHAS really comes to life in his experiences with the Roughnecks. This episode packs the emotional impact of "The Iron Giant" and the charming humor of "T2" in about a quarter of the time. I wouldn't be surprised if this turns out to be the best episode of the whole series.
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