"Roughnecks: The Starship Troopers Chronicles" (1999) TV series

Director:

Andre Clavel

Writers:

Pat Allee (writer)
David S. Clark (episode)

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

30 August 1999 (USA)

Genre:

Sci-Fi | Animation | Action | Adventure

Plot:

The missions of a Mobile Infantry squad as they participate in a war of survival against a ferocious alien insectoid invader.

Plot Keywords:

Alien | Spacecraft | Spin Off | Military | Computer Animation

Awards:

1 win & 4 nominations

Cast

Nicholas Guest	...	Maj. Zander Barcalow (14 episodes, 1999-2000)
James Horan	...	Cpl. Richard 'Doc' LeCroix (13 episodes, 1999-2000)
Alexander Polinsky	...	Robert Higgins / ... (13 episodes, 1999-2000)
Rino Romano	...	Johnnie Rico / ... (13 episodes, 1999-2000)
Elizabeth Daily	...	Dizzy Flores / ... (12 episodes, 1999-2000)
Bill Fagerbakke	...	Cpl. Jeff Gossard / ... (12 episodes, 1999-2000)
Jamie Hanes	...	Jean Razak / ... (12 episodes, 1999-2000)
Rider Strong	...	Carl Jenkins / ... (12 episodes, 1999-2000)
David DeLuise	...	Sgt. Francis Brutto (11 episodes, 1999-2000)
Tish Hicks	...	Lt. Carmen Ibanez (9 episodes, 1999-2000)
Thomas Wagner	...	Commander Marlow (6 episodes, 1999-2000)

Also Known As:

Starship Troopers (USA) (working title)
Starship Troopers: The Series (UK)

MPAA:

Rated PG for pervasive sci-fi action violence. (videos The Zephyr, Hydora, Tophet, Klendathu, and Homefront Campaigns)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Germany:16 | USA:PG (episode "Trackers")

Company:

Adelaide Productions

Trivia:

This series was supposed to have 40 episodes, but due to resource problems, the project was eventually cancelled ending at Episode 37, the mission where the Roughnecks had to defend Oahu with Johnny Rico being the lieutenant.

Goofs:

Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): In episode #26 "Metamorphosis", when Zander-bug has Doc cornered in the Med-lab, Doc refers to Zander as "Lieutenant" even though Zander's rank is Major. It was speculated that Zander was demoted, but General Redwing reports that he accessed computer files as "Major Zander Barcalow" in episode #28 "The Mission".

Quotes:

Pvt. Isabelle 'Dizzy' Flores: [while standing next to Brutto] Jeez, Sarge will it kill you to shower once in a while? You smell like the south end of a north-bound plasma bug!
Sgt. Francis Brutto: Hey babe, REAL men smell, and REAL women like it.
T'Phai: That is true. My mate chose me for my scent.
Sgt. Francis Brutto: Colonel, you're my type of guy.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Starship Troopers: Terran Ascendancy (2000) (VG)

Surprisingly Wonderful Show!

Despite negative reviews, I actually loved the film "STARSHIP TROOPERS." It ran on a feasable and likable theme, and had a good "feel" to it, even if it was a little campy. Why the critics seem to hate it is beyond me.

But to get on with this review, I didn't expect much from "ROUGHNECKS," The Starship Troopers Television series, but in the morning before going to work I managed to catch an episode. I was impressed at first by the visual computer effects. The movements of the CGI characters are very lifelike and believable. But what really had me tuning in from then on were the great storylines. They are deep and intelligent; I have no idea why this show is marketed to children. As an adult, this is one of the few "cartoons" I can still sit through, probably because this show isn't exactly written for younger audiences. From the few episodes I've seen, I can already tell that "ROUGHNECKS" is a completely valid series, and not just because it is entertaining. It refrences many classic moral themes that pertain to the horrors of war, and also references many historical points in military history (most noticeably the Roughnecks' Home Ship, the VALLEY FORGE).

My only complaint is that the three main characters should

closer resemble their real-life counterparts. Call me shallow for wanting to see the familiar faces of Hollywood celebrities, but I can't think of "Johnny Rico," "Dizzy Flores," or "Carl Jenkins" without seeing the faces of Casper Van Dien, Dina Meyer and Neil Patrick Harris in my mind (though to be honest, the CGI character of "Diz" actually does resemble Dina Meyer).

All in all, a great show that is very worthy of all praise it receives. Don't miss "Roughnecks: The Starship Troopers Chronicles." You won't be sorry.