Rating: 
Summary: This Show DESERVED A Wider Audience
Review: A long time ago, I grew to accept the fact that all of my friends say I'm too hard on movies.Having seen thousands of them in my life, I've grown cynical. Sure, I'm largely a sci-fi enthusiast, but I've had to look outside my comfort zone to find new, guilty pleasures. They're increasingly hard-to-find. So, I've accepted the grim reality that there is very little out there left in the land of entertainment for surprise or delight -- like seeing STAR WARS for the first time -- and one DVD is just a flick filling time until the next one comes available for rental or purchase. Then, along came the ROUGHNECKS ... This installment, I've already watched three times in under a week. Call me a geek. This outing of the Emmy-nominated ROUGHNECKS: STARSHIP TROOPER CHRONICLES only serves further evidence that this show -- utilizing state-of-the-art CGI technology along with highly-stylized fiction -- deserved a wider following that it will hopefully be treated to on DVD. THE TOPHET CAMPAIGN is years ahead of other CGI-based adventure shows because its premise is a formula that works: action ... and plenty of it. Our heroes, the Roughnecks -- part of a futuristic Mobile Infantry fighting for mankind's survival against a race of sentient killer bugs --, are actually allowed to endure psychological as well as physical challenges, encouraged to face their own personal demons, and continue to grow in each subsequent arc of the overall story. After all, when's the last time 'Captain Planet' learned he might be wrong? The story unfolds at a frenetic pace: the bugs have taken Tophet, where a race referred to as the Skinnies turn out to be unanticipated allies waiting to lure humanity into a trap. However, NOTHING is what it seems here, and that's perhaps the greatest attribute to the entire ROUGHNECKS series. Despite some story elements that might have been explored or even lifted from other works, the show continued to push its own bar higher, delivering plot twists almost at the same rate the soldiers deliver bullets. The climax is an almost blockbuster-movie-caliber turn, with the adventure quotient turned up even higher, as Johnny Rico and Dizzy Flores and the rest of the troopers learn that Tophet holds far more secrets than they could've ever imagined. One spectacular outing after another, THE TOPHET CAMPAIGN can be enjoyed by fans of the STARSHIP TROOPERS movie, general science fiction, or action/adventure enthusiasts alike. It's one DVD well worth the price.
Rating:
Summary: No doubt one of the best
Review: Another excellent release. Those who are into animated features with an excellent story must get this.
Robocop eat your heart out... can't explain more without giving away spoilers ;).
Rating: 
Summary: TRUE TO HEINLEIN
Review: Columbia Tristar has released two more episodes of the fantastic CGI animated "Roughnecks: Starship Troopers" series. "THE TOPHET CAMPAIGN" and "THE HYDORA CAMPAIGN" continue the incredible extra galactic war in proper chronological order (unlike the original TV broadcasts). Robert Heinlein's visceral and highly ironic sci-fi action (and perhaps fascist satires) are truer to the source material than the theatrical version. The animation is incredible and consistent in tone. Great characters interact in wonderfully detailed landscapes and interior spaces. A richly nuanced color palate greatly enhances the feel of these neatly arched episodic set pieces. In "Tophet" the action takes place on a desert planet where the oddly humanoid "Skinnies" make them feel way too comfortable. But alas, the bug war is not over. "Hydora" is a water planet where the advance team hopes to locate and extinguish the bugs' home base. Here they encounter the terrifying Mother insect who controls the bug universe.
Rating:
Summary: the tophet campaign
Review: I highly reccomend this DvD to anyone with a taste for exceptional visual effects and cgi. This superbly done dvd has a wonderful plot that carries over from the other roughneck chronicles dvd without losing a touch of quality. Great job to the creators: Foundation imaging, Flat-Earth and Sony.. Thanks
Rating:
Summary: Episode Guide
Review: I thought it would be helpful to let people know
what order to watch the series.
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"Roughnecks Starship Troopers Chronicles: The Pluto Campaign". Released: 03/13/01
First story arc, episodes 1~5.
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"Roughnecks Starship Troopers Chronicles: Hydora". Released: 02/15/02
Second story arc, episodes 6~10.
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"Roughnecks Starship Troopers Chronicles: Tophet". Released: 02/15/02
Third story arc, episodes 11~15.
----------------- "Roughnecks Starship Troopers Chronicles: Tesca Nemerosa". Released: 09/18/01
Fourth story arc, episodes 16~20.
Rating:
Summary: Great Series
Review: I was awed by the original movie and became an instant fan. This movie is another great in the series. I am not a fanatic of Sci-fi movies but this is "Entertainment". I made popcorn from my popcorn machine (...) and sat down to a suprisingly very good movie. I was worried that with a smaller budget that they would not be able to make a movie worthy of having the "Starship Troopers" name to it. This movie is less on the action side then it is on the story development side, but it balances out in one fantastic flick. If you liked the original movie then you absolutely mustcheck out this DVD. Then sit back and eat your popcorn.
Rating:
Summary: They Just Keep Getting Better!
Review: I've just discovered this animated series, long after its brief and troubled TV run. I'm viewing the DVDs in the "correct" order: Pluto, Hydora, Tophet, Tesca. Having just finished Tophet, I can only say that they keep getting better! It's the best one I've seen so far. I'm perplexed by a previous review that "warns" us of its inferior visual quality. No way! It's clear that Foundation Imaging really began hitting their stride with this arc. The animation of the troopers was incredibly fluid and lifelike. Their faces look even better. The bugs, the equipment, the scenery - all fantastic. The episode with the cybernetic trooper C.H.A.S. was especially good. I can see now why I've read that it's a fan favorite. An absolutely first rate sci-fi experience. The scripts continue to grow in sophistication, with surprise twists and startling developments. As always, the voice talent is first rate. If you intend to buy all of the disks, then I definitely recommend viewing them in order. If you're just looking to try one out, this is the best of the first three DVDs. Tesca may well be better, but I don't know yet. I'll let you know!
Rating:
Summary: More than one enemy
Review: The Roughnecks discover that there are more enemies than bugs in the universe. During their ongoing war against the Arachnids, the Roughnecks spearhead a mission on Tophet, a world populated by seven-foot tall, methane-breathing "Skinnies", a sophisticated alien race. Our heroes are welcomed at first only to discover that the Skinnies are allied with the bugs and laying a trap for SICON. What follows are battles on this firey, volcanic world against the bugs and their allies. In the course of their adventures, the squad must rescue Razak, their leader and Higgins from deep in enemy territory; break in a new squadmate, a huge heavily-armed robot; and escape from a Skinnie prison. Eventually the Roughnecks discover that the Skinnies are being controlled by tiny bugs attached to their necks and are unwitting pawns in the war.
This series of episodes continues to display the first-rate CG animation and story-telling that distinguish the series. These episodes were animated by two different companies (Foundation Imaging and Flat Earth) and while both do a fine job, there is a slight difference in visual style between the two houses that you can notice from episode to episode.
Once again the series adheres more closely to the Heinlein original than the movie giving us the Skinnies first as enemies of Earth and finally as allies; it was great to see Heinlein's creation brought vividly to life. As we learn in the Tesca campaign, one of these aliens will become a valued members of the squad.
Sony has once again stocked this DVD full of extras that you won't find on most other animation releases, including commentary by the episode directors, computer animators, filmographies, and concept art. This DVD is a must for any lover of science fiction or CG animation.
Rating:
Summary: Sir! Yes, Sir! Troopers Ho! This is a great DVD....
Review: The second science fiction novel I ever read was "Starship Troopers". That was more than thirty long years ago and it still ranks in my personal Top Five. While neither the movie OR the CGI version of this book do justice to the original story, the CGI version on this series of DVD's does a better job than the movie. The image and sound quality of this DVD are excellent, delivering a viewing experience far better than the original broadcasts of these shows. The technical commentaries by the directors, writers and CGI artists provide insight into the tremendous effort it took to bring this show to the viewing public. The DVD versions put the shows in correct chronological order (unlike the original broadcast schedule) and bring needed coherence. If you're a fan of Roughnecks: The Starship Troopers Chronicles (or just appreciate great CGI) you'll love this DVD!
Rating:
Summary: ANOTHER great DVD in the series
Review: The Tophet campaign takes the Roughnecks to an alien desert planet. There they encounter more bugs, a race nicknamed the Skinnies and we get more insight into the characters and their relationships. Although the plot and characterization *could* always be deeper, compared to most tv and almost all animation on USA TV, the quality is extremely high. The animation, while a little rough in places, really starts to explore and expand the CGI medium. Some of the shots in this set are absolutely stunning! Rounding out the DVD are two sets of commentaries, one by the filmmakers and one by the technical people. Talk about replay value! I think this is outstanding and raises the bar for DVD production of an animated series. I also like how the series is arranged in 5 part story arcs (and all 5 parts per disc). Makes it great to watch! Highly recommended! The only problem with this is that Sony is releasing this series, like they did the TV series, are being released out of order. :b
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