Review of Starship Troopers (1997) by Jacob O — 07 Feb 2011

The ultraviolent, voyeuristic director Paul Verhoeven is known to divide critics and audiences alike, but this is one of his best, a comic visual treat which actually has some intelligence to it. In a fascistic, militarised future earth, humans do battle with giant alien bugs in order to preserve their race.

A trifle silly on first hearing, but this film is merited in its satirical edge which is seemingly aimed at the United States Army and its enemies. Even for those that find the extreme violence difficult to handle, it's worth watching for the frankly hilarious fake commercials that intersect between the action - one which sees a cluster of children stamping on baby bugs as the mother watches with joy.

The special effects are truly impressive, with gaping monsters ten times the size of man wiping out everything in their way. It was the 1990s that saw a turnaround in visual sensations and this film is no exception. Almost equally impressive are the cast of then-unknowns, who understand the film's driving theme and deliver their performances well. Clancy Brown would go on to play a prison officer in "The Shawshank Redemption".

So, while it's not for everyone, "Starship Troopers" has enough humour and action to keep it well above most sci-fi thrillers of its kind.