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Starship Troopers (1997)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers (WGA):
Release Date:
7 November 1997 (USA)
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Tagline:
Genocide doesn't compare to this. more
Plot:
Humans of a fascistic, militaristic future do battle with giant alien bugs in a fight for survival. full summary | full synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for Oscar.
Another 3 wins
&
11 nominations
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NewsDesk:
(121 articles)
The Sunday Movie Quiz – The Answers
(From HeyUGuys. 22 November 2009, 4:01 PM, PST)
'New Moon,' 'Himym' And Lady GaGa In Today's Twitter-Wood
(From MTV Movies Blog. 18 November 2009, 4:00 PM, PST)
(From HeyUGuys. 22 November 2009, 4:01 PM, PST)
'New Moon,' 'Himym' And Lady GaGa In Today's Twitter-Wood
(From MTV Movies Blog. 18 November 2009, 4:00 PM, PST)
User Comments:
Brilliant & timely critique of fascism
more (946 total)
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only) | Casper Van Dien | ... | Johnny Rico |
 | Dina Meyer | ... | Dizzy Flores |
 | Denise Richards | ... | Carmen Ibanez |
 | Jake Busey | ... | Ace Levy |
 | Neil Patrick Harris | ... | Carl Jenkins |
 | Clancy Brown | ... | Sgt. Zim |
 | Seth Gilliam | ... | Sugar Watkins |
 | Patrick Muldoon | ... | Zander Barcalow |
 | Michael Ironside | ... | Jean Rasczak |
| Rue McClanahan | ... | Biology Teacher |
 | Marshall Bell | ... | General Owen |
 | Eric Bruskotter | ... | Breckinridge |
 | Matt Levin | ... | Kitten Smith |
 | Blake Lindsley | ... | Katrina |
| Anthony Ruivivar | ... | Shujimi |
Additional Details
MPAA:
Rated R for graphic sci-fi violence and gore, and for some language and nudity.
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
129 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Australia:PG (TV rating) |
Iceland:16 |
South Korea:15 (video rating) (cut) |
South Korea:18 (original rating) |
Canada:18A (Canadian Home Video rating) |
Argentina:13 |
Australia:MA |
Belgium:KNT |
Brazil:16 |
Canada:13+ (Quebec) |
Canada:14 (Nova Scotia) |
Canada:R (Manitoba/Ontario) |
Chile:14 |
Denmark:11 |
Finland:K-16 |
France:-12 |
Germany:Not Rated (SPIO/JK) (video rating) (uncut) |
Germany:18 (theatrical rating) (uncut) |
Hong Kong:IIB |
Ireland:18 |
Italy:T |
Japan:PG-12 |
Mexico:C |
Netherlands:16 |
New Zealand:R16 |
Norway:15 |
Portugal:M/16 |
Singapore:M18 |
Singapore:PG (cut) |
Spain:18 |
Sweden:15 |
UK:15 (original rating) |
UK:18 (video rating) |
USA:R (No. 34343) |
Germany:BPjM Restricted
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
The song, "I Have Not Been to Paradise", (a cover of the David Bowie song "I have not been to Oxford Town") is sung by Zoë Poledouris, the eldest daughter of Basil Poledouris, the film's composer.
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Goofs:
Continuity: During the punishment, the leather piece Rico is biting down on changes positions between shots.
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Quotes:
[first lines]
Newsreel announcer: Young people from all over the globe are joining up to fight for the future.
Soldier #1: I'm doing my part.
Soldier #2: I'm doing my part.
Soldier #3: I'm doing my part.
Young kid dressed up as a soldier: I'm doing my part too.
[Soldiers laugh]
Newsreel announcer: They're doing their part. Are you? Join the Mobile Infantry and save the world. Service guarantees citizenship.
more
Newsreel announcer: Young people from all over the globe are joining up to fight for the future.
Soldier #1: I'm doing my part.
Soldier #2: I'm doing my part.
Soldier #3: I'm doing my part.
Young kid dressed up as a soldier: I'm doing my part too.
[Soldiers laugh]
Newsreel announcer: They're doing their part. Are you? Join the Mobile Infantry and save the world. Service guarantees citizenship.
more
Movie Connections:
Spoofed in Monsters, Inc. (2001)
more
Soundtrack:
I Have Not Been To Oxford Town
more
FAQ
What are the songs played during the high school prom dance?What is the song played during Rico and Zander's brawl?
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more (946 total)
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The truth is that this is a brilliant film that, like Verhoeven's earlier "Robocop", is an insightful satire and critique of fascism and at the same time succeeds as a sci-fi thriller. It can be enjoyed at both levels, though obviously it is much richer when the viewer comprehends the satirical and critical level as well.
It's not as if the satire is so subtle it's hard to get. If anything, it hits you over the head with it. But at the same time, it is very disciplined and consistent in not tipping its hand and giving the game away, which to me makes it much more successful and enjoyable than if the satire and social critique were blatantly broadcast. That's the strange and wonderful thing about "Starship Troopers" and "Robocop" -- one viewer might totally not get it, while to another, the critical/satirical level is totally in your face and is what the film is really all about.
I don't know if I'm describing it well, but watch it with the film-makers' commentary turned on (on the DVD version), and director Paul Verhoeven and writer Ed Neumeier lay it all out very clearly: the film is about how war makes fascists of us all. Very timely today (2004) with US imperialism wreaking havoc in Iraq & Afghanistan.
On a technical level, the film is excellent. The bug special effects are top notch and the whole bug society and hierarchy is deeply thought through, as is the future Earth society's politics and technology. The acting is excellent, and the balance between the characters' interpersonal story line, the bug war story line, and the underlying political satire and critique, is perfectly handled.
A truly exceptional film, Verhoeven's best so far, topping even "Robocop" in my opinion, and fully deserving a 10 out of 10 score, which I rarely give.