Starship Troopers is a 1997 American sci-fi action film directed by Paul Verhoeven and starring Casper Van Dien, Dina Meyer, Denise Richards, Jake Busey, and Neil Patrick Harris. The movie is adapted from the novel of the same name by Robert A. Heinlein, published in 1959. Set in the 23rd century, the world is under the governance of the United Citizen Federation, and humanity is at war with extraterrestrial species known as Bugs.
The movie introduces the viewer to the world of the future, where society is divided into two classes: Citizens and Civilians. Citizens are the higher class, involved in elections and decision-making in the government. Civilians don’t receive such privilege and can only become citizens by serving in the military. The movie revolves around the life of a young man named John Rico, who has just graduated from high school and desires to join the military, despite his parents’ objection.
Rico joins the Infantry division, the front-line unit that battles against the Bugs. His girlfriend, Carmen, also joins the military and becomes a spacecraft pilot, while his friend Carl joins the intelligence division. In the Infantry, Rico meets Sergeant Zim, who trains his troops ruthlessly, and Isabelle “Dizzy” Flores, who was Rico’s classmate in school. They soon become friends, but Dizzy harbors a secret affection for Rico.
As Rico becomes a leader in the Infantry, his love life takes an unexpected turn when Carmen breaks up with him. Rico finds solace in Dizzy’s company, but their blossoming relationship is short-lived. During a training exercise, some of Rico’s team members are killed, causing several members, including Rico, to quit the Infantry. Rico decides to visit his parents back in Buenos Aires, but tragically, his hometown is destroyed by a Bug asteroid.
With his parents dead, Rico reconsiders his decision to leave the military and rejoins the Infantry. They embark on a mission to Klendathu, the planet of the Bugs. However, they soon discover that the Bugs are not as easy to defeat as they thought. There are different types of Bugs which have different abilities, and worst of all, they are led by an intelligent Brain Bug. The movie features intense battle scenes between the humans and the Bugs, as they fight for the survival of the human race.
The plot also highlights the societal satire and the patriotic rhetoric of the United Citizen Federation government. For instance, the division of society into Civilians and Citizens, with the former being made to idolize the latter. This division serves as a narrative to promote patriotism and is also a critique of the New World Order concept. The movie’s propaganda of militarism and patriotism is further exemplified, as Verhoeven pokes fun at these notions, depicting them as being flawed and hypocritical.
In conclusion, Starship Troopers is an evergreen sci-fi action movie set in a dystopian future. It brings to light the societal inequalities and government propaganda, which emphasizes patriotism and militarism. The movie is a must-watch for anyone who enjoys visually breathtaking action scenes with a touch of satire.
