Starship Troopers is based on a book by Robert Heinlein. Mike was a fan of Heinlein.
The movie is set in the futuristic world of Ricco, (played by Casper Van Dien) and his high school classmates. This is a world threatened by really big juicy bugs bent on galactic domination. While this insect enemy does not have a human face it is guided by a cunning intelligence easily equal that of human. Enormous, spectacularly hideous “brain bugs” communicate strategy to bug troopers.
The bugs have the upper hand. The war is desperate. Either humans or bugs will prevail.
In addition to lots of action with really big angry bugs this movie offers:
teen rebellion, love triangle, many laughs, intriguing social/political ideas; possibly allusions to our ancient or more recent past?
an example from a newsreel: “Service guarantees citizenship” Familiar? There are many other parallels.
The most interesting idea to me is the difference between being a citizen vs civilian.
This world is governed by the military. Only people who have served in the military can become citizens, vote or hold pubic office.
High school instructor, Jean Rasczak: (Michael Ironside) "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"
Wow! But grab the popcorn for there is no time to get your head around these intriguing ideas, pun intended. Splat!
By the end, though a satisfied and willing participant; I suspect I’ve been had. I see Mike got the version with “additional scenes, commentary, etc.” He liked picking apart the secrets of things. Then there is this view:
Jean Rasczak: “Figuring things out for yourself is practically the only freedom anyone really has nowadays. Use that freedom. Make up your own mind Ricco.
Would you like to know more?
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