STARSHIP TROOPERS (1997) | FIRST TIME WATCHING | Reaction & Commentary | I have no words... 

The actress whose character accidentally shot the big blonde guy in boot camp, started to date and eventually marry the actor that played the guy she shot. What a great conversation starter for telling people how you met your spouse!

Verhoeven has said in interviews that too many people missed the social satire about corporate fascism in "Robocop" and took the message seriously, so he made the satire so over-the-top in this movie that he thought nobody would miss it. But a lot of people still missed it

"Me calling it stupid is actually the point" - YES!! It's hilariously campy and awesome. Fantastic movie.

In the book, Rico meets the recruiter with no legs walking with prosthetic legs that can not be distinguished from real legs later on that day, and when he asks him about it he is told, that they picked him to do that, to discourage people from enlisting that aren't absolutely sure about it.

According to Verhoeven himself, some of the cast said they'd only get naked for the shower scene if Verhoeven and the cinematographer did the same... so they did. (Also, this wasn't Verhoeven's first mixed-shower sequence, there's also one in Robocop... but almost no one seemed to notice, so, again in his own words, he decided he'd make sure they noticed this one.)

"Can I be honest with you guys, they did a bad job of making me care" A few moments later... "Nonononono NOT HER! Movie kills of ma favorite character are you f*ckin serious this is bs" 😂😂😂

The movie got an Oscar for the bug SFX (first movie to use swarm behaviour in computer animation) but the model shots were also outstanding. This was the last big space sci-fi movie to not use CGI for the spacecraft.

I was active duty in the Marines when this came out. We all loved it!

I came for the spaceships, stayed for the gore, and I applaud the writer for his commentary on humanity too. This is top tier sci-fi storytelling. For me, this film is golden. The relationships and characters are not central to the plot. They're not the point of this story. They''re simply props. Tools to help tell you whats going on with humanity in this world. Just like the military newsflashes are too.

I love it. It was supposed to be satire. But it appealed so much to the group it was supposed to satire that it backfired. "Red Dawn" is exactly like this. It was supposed to be satire but it had the opposite effect. One of my cult favorites. I saw it first release.

As well as Michael ironside being in Starship Troopers and total recall and both directed by Paul verhoeven, Actor Marshall Bell who played general Owen (hiding in the cupboard) in this, was also in total recall playing the character kuato.

Casper Van Dien made a pretty good career doing B movies and lots of them!

And now, the balance to these three films.......Showgirls!!! :D

I love this movie. I think not everyone is going to vibe with the tone of this. This is a both a satire and a high budget B-movie. I think it's ok to go along with the B-movie cliches and enjoy the tropes, even as you know it's self-aware of what it is. It's like eating a corn dog and greasy fries, and knowing that it isn't haute cuisine or even good for you but still enjoying it. Also, when this movie came out, the special effects were mind blowing. The CG bugs were on a completely different level from anything that had been done before. Yes, it most definitely has a deeper meaning about fascism. But at some level if you just don't enjoy the sheer spectacle of soldiers fighting giant alien bugs, then this movie isn't for you.

This is based on a popular sci-fi novel Starship Troopers by Robert Heinlein that was incredibly influential in sci-fi and more or less codified the genre of military sci-fi. This was the first popular story to include things like space marines and power armor. Most of the concepts in this movie are present in the novel except they're played 110% dead straight. Some stuff got simplified, like you didn't earn your franchise just through military service but through any public service so anyone had the ability to do so (for example, you could get assigned to road crews or filing work if you weren't physically capable of joining the military). But most of the rest is spot on including the classroom discussion at the start of the film which was almost word-for-word. Heinlein and Verhoeven had very different experiences with WWII and it shows in their different approaches to the story. Heinlein was a communications officer for the Navy who had already let military service when the war started and attempted to re-enlist but was denied due to health problems. Verhoeven was a child in occupied Holland and saw the effects of the war during the initial invasion and the occupation by the Germans first-hand. A lot of what Heinlein wrote as patriotic, Verhoeven read as fascist. And it shows in the movie. Going to what you said about whether or not the Bugs were the aggressors...that's a popular fan theory. An asteroid coming from Klendathu space would've had to travel light years to get to Earth let alone make sure to hit the planet and hit a landmass rather than the ocean and hit a major population center. The likelihood of that working as described is next to impossible. So it's far more likely that it was an inside job, giving humanity a common enemy to rally against and a target to invade. That's not the case in the book as it's more two expansionist governments colonizing more and more of space sharing borders and fighting. But the first chapter of the book is Rico describing a mission where the Mobile Infantry is sent for a surgical strike against another species of alien called "The Skinnies" in order to pressure them into breaking their neutrality and joining the fight against the bugs. Not sure at all how Vorhoeven read them as fascists...

The lighting was the very subtle element often overlooked, in that, the lighting was 100% EVEN lighting, 'like as if it was shot for television or more, like it was lit for a propaganda video recruitment film. Y'see? They went to every length possible to NOT make the lighting cinematic, but more like a tv soap opera, which I think we would all agree matched the melodramatic story-lines :)

Clancy Brown is a great actor. He is in Higlander and The Shawshank Redemption.

You mentioned grades being public, and co-ed showers. It is an aspect of the movie I never see talked about, perhaps because the nudity distracts people. They are some of a number of scenes that indicate that privacy does not exist in their society, and there is no expectation of privacy. Rico viewing carmen‘s vid messages in the barracks surrounded by his squad is another example of it.

The way Verhoeven switches between fascism and high school drama is brilliant. "oh maybe the bugs aren't the aggressor--let's get tattoos"

Verhoeven came to Hollywood as a real outsider. He also has memories of the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. I love how he translated his views and concerns, however, the film feels almost like a prank on an unsuspecting audience and I understand how one might not like it.

This is one of my favorite films. I'm surprised you didn't love it.

The commercial for this movie is still one of the most amazing things I've ever seen In theatres.

This came out when I was in middle school. Had to get homework done on computer before going to my grandparents, Grandma said if I got it done she'd take me to a movie. Went to this. I don't think she ever forgave me. As a kid loved the action, as an adult I love the satire. Great reaction as always

In the orginal novel (which I highly recommend) almost half the novel is a flash back of Rico's school and MI training. It begins with one of the best written scifi battle scenes.

I saw this with my brother in the theater in 97 and it blew us away.

The way Shan immediately gets the humour in this movie is one of the reasons she's one of my favourite Reactors. Cheers and Salutations from Canada. 🥃☮❤

The main characters went from school kids full of ideas and hope and are turned into military drones to do what they are told without questioning. I think you may have enjoyed this film more knowing a little about what to expect. Still I always enjoy your reviews even if I agree or not, we all like different things and it's good to hear other perspectives. Thanks for the awesome uploads and happy holidays

Had to laugh 14 minutes in. "I wonder if we make it into combat". It showed it 14 SECONDS in ! hahah

33:39 remember hank told him "The only way your seeing combat is if you bust yourself to private! You get me?" he got demoted....so he could fight.

I saw this one in the theater. I remember seeing previews for it and the effects looked really good. Even by today's standards, they're pretty good. Solid blending of CGI and practical models.

It was a strange time casting wiser Denise Richards, play a high school age here and in Wild Things, yet a nuclear scientist in Tomorrow Never Dies, that opened the same year.

[Rico leaves home for the military] Shan: He's being kind of dumb. Rico's 35% math score: Am I a joke to you?

It's never mentioned in the movie but from the time they graduate high school to the final battle on Klendathu is 5 years with about 18 months at the beginning spent in basic training and Rico becomes Squad Leader of the Marauders. Year 2 is when Rico was mistaken for KIA on their first mission. Year 3 & 4 they join Lt. Rasczak's Roughnecks aka Alpha Squad and go on many missions. Rico becomes the Squad Leader after Rasczak's death and they become Rico's Roughnecks. Year 5 they capture the Big Bug. The movie is condensed, if it followed the book it would be about 5 or 6 hours long. And you're right about the asteroid being a random event, the bugs never sent it. It would take 100,000 years even if the asteroid were moving at the speed of light, for them to have planned that attack it would have to have been set in motion when humans were still trying not to be eaten by sabretooth cats. It was the military justifying an invasion, the humans were the bad guys.

you wrong. this is best movie ever

You gotta be the only one I've seen react to this that gets and acknowledges the satire aspect. Thank you.

I'm doing my part! Help spread managed democracy throughout the galaxy!

I'm a huge Heinlein fan and own most of his books and still I adore this Verhoeven film anyway lol

Merry Christmas Shanelle!! Thank you for having fun with all of us, and thank you for a great year!

16:05 During the whip scene, Sgt.Zim says one of the best quotes: "Bite down on this, son. Its help... i know"

About Neil Patrick Harris being in this, this is his "comeback" movie. He had been gone from Hollywood for around a decade before this.

I hope to find out by the end you like this, because it is deeper than it seems on the surface.

I saw this in the cinema in 97. It was rated as a 15 in the uk at the time (revised to 18+ on dvd release) and me being 13 at the time loved this movie.

The film is clearly a lesson in be careful what you wish for: zander wanted to get his brains sucked out and dizzy wanted to get flip six three holed. They just didn't expect it to be from the bugs

"Maybe she gets lost and Rico has to go with his squad and find her." Wow, great prediction! lol

In recent years the line "Frankly I find the idea of a bug that thinks *offensive* " really hits home, Paul knew exactly what he was doing. The brilliance of this film is just under the surface and it is brilliant. You're right it didn't do well in the US when released but was really popular in post second world war Europe. I first saw it in 97, I was a bit to young to get it then. It's true what they say, you see things differently as you get older. I do enjoy how it makes, some, modern audiences sit up and think, question, with shock in their eyes, when they see today's political similarity. An uncomfortable, for many, masterpiece.

21:25 "I can't see how humans stand a chance against these things. They're so much bigger." Guns, bullets, grenades, bombs, planes, tanks, missiles, orbital bombardment, and nuclear weapons. That's just for starters. Yeah, the bugs can shoot butt-beams so at least they can fight back. But an army equipped with nukes doesn't really depend on the individual size of each soldier.

Fun fact: all the main cast at the beginning are good looking blondish hair blue eyed Aryan specimens from Buenos Aries. Argentina was a supposed haven for ex-Nazis after the war.

I love your reaction! From blank staring, to giddiness, to "I hope they all die!"😂 Life imitates art and Art imitates life.

Saw it at the cinema, it was amazing. Dripping with satire.

I caught it in the theater after reading the book. Robert Heinlein was a military man, so yes he was pro soldier and pro war. I got used to older movies showing people in their mid 30s as soldiers, but the reality is closer here... We really do have kids 18 and sometimes younger going to war. Very sad indeed.

This movie goes full circle and I just love that so much

The first time I watched this movie was while I was in Army basic trainin back in 1999. It was the fourth of July and we had a day off from training. So the drill sergeants played this movie. We all loved it and fired up by it. Looking back from 24 years ago, I felt the drill sergeants knew what they were doing showing us this movie lol

I love this movie. I did see it in theaters. I think the average viewer sometimes just wants a mindless movie that doesn't make any sense. I don't watch movies to get life lessons. I rewatch movies too check out for a couple hours.

I remember getting free passes to see this on the theater. I love it. The bugs cgi still holds up and love the world building and yes the humans are the bad guys in this one

Dutch films historically had plenty of full nudity in them. When Verhoeven became internationally known he stuck to his Dutch roots and I'm glad he didn't shy away from the controversy that would inevitably ensue from US audiences.

Fun fact, they used the helmets for the alliance uniforms in firefly. Now you can't unsee it.

This is actually a very strong anti war, anti propaganda film. There is one small segment that most people miss when the new broadcaster says that "the bugs have a live let live philosophy". Humans encroached on the bugs space and the bugs were defending themselves.

Nobody ever comments on the fact that the condemned man's capture, trial, and execution are all in the same day.

It's "interesting" how every citizen you see in the beginning of the movie is brutally maimed in some way. Not exactly subtle but quite telling. One of my all-time faves for sure.

They weren't satirizing rank.. Zim literally got himself demoted to fight.. At the end of the film Johnny actually outranks Zim who is now just a grunt.. The guy who literally taught Johnny.

Not only did I see this in theaters when it came out and loved it.. but I also saw the Rifftrax Live version in theaters.

Ending the Verhoeven trilogy with the best of the three! Welcome to the Roughnecks, Shanelle.

This is the best kind of camp: played 100% straight, with an incredible cast of character actors. And I've been totally in love with Dina Meyer since Dragonheart.

The drill instructor is the same guy who voiced mr Krabs

This movie is the ultimate satire. Paul Verhoven hated the novel the movie was based on, as it took itself was too serious and that it lacked the humor and propaganda we see in the final cut.

YES! Your summation at the end was perfect and what Verhoeven was trying to get across. Your entire commentary of watching the film was exactly what Verhoeven was trying to get across. Everything was on purpose. I love when directors do films that make you feel like "this is stupid" "where is this going"... because that's the point! Match it with what the film was trying to talk about, you see very clearly that's the point. He brings the audience into the narrative. It's almost a breaking of the fourth wall.

If the brain bug had eaten Carmen's brain first, it might not have still been hungry. Alas, it went for Zander first, the raw celery of brain, thus dooming them both.

I love how the movie opens when a joke about child soldiers and then ends with them actually using child soldiers. “They’ll keep fighting! And they’ll win!” No military that has to use kids to bolster their numbers is winning

When this movie was being advertised, in the very early days, it was rated "PG-13." My dad saw those ratings and decided to take me to this movie at the age of nine, because I had seen Alien and he thought I could handle it. When we got there and it was rated R, he was just like, "Eh, probably just a bit more bloody." It traumatized me, haha. I had nightmares for months from this movie.

Basically, the book was a very interesting and thought-provoking novel about the whats and whys of the military. The movie ended up as essentially a parody that kind of misses the mark. That's why you haven't heard of a lot of these actors and actresses--they were all supposed to be up-and-comers who would break out when this movie hit, but the movie wasn't the blockbuster that had been hoped for and their careers plateaued afterwards.

Fun fact for those who don’t know. The drill sergeant is the guy who voices Mr. Krabs In SpongeBob

Merry Holidays Shan, Fam, etc.!🎉💝 Major Payne: I knew I f*in' loved you.🤣

I love this movie! It is over the top and fun. And the special effects still hold up suprisingly well.

They killed off the wrong girl. This film always reminded me of the TV series Space Above and Beyond.

''Im doing My part''

"I told you never to call me on this wall. This is an unlisted wall!"

Part of what you're missing is that it IS also a war about land. It flies under the radar in the movie because they only mention it once while they're bombarding you with tons of other stuff early on, but the bugs are an indigenous population whose land is being invaded by human colonists. So of course the colonizers are going to try and exterminate the indigenous population and treat them as the bad guys. The bug meteor was just the bugs fighting back, and of course the humans spin it as if THEY are the victims so that they can justify wiping out the bugs and recruit more kids to die.

another great verhoven satire.

"The enemy can not push a button, if you disable his hand!" Best line ever

RICO'S ROUGHNECKS, HURRAH!! Cheers for the video! 🙏Love this movie!

I couldnt finish your reaction

Today is Dina Meyer(Dizzy)'s birthday! BTW, have you ever watched Futurama? They did a spot on parody of this film - War is the H-Word

Do you ever watch the trailers for the movies you watch to see how the movie was marketed and which moments were chosen for the trailers?

I saw this at the theater and loved it. I went back and saw it two more times.

2:54 - Hey, it's a Paul Verhoeven movie. What did you expect? 😁

There are fans who completely analyzed the movie and according to them, Earth started the conflict by colonizing the bug planet, causing the bugs to react in self defense. Another theory is that the meteorite that destroyed Buenos Aires is the same one that was knocked off course by the collision with the space ship Carmen was flying and that was used as a justification to start an all out war with the bugs. So yeah, earth is the bad guy.

"on a never ending hamster wheel of chasing rank, chasing valor, fighting some bugs, and just so dumb" Yes.

Not surprised Shanelle completely missed the points in the story. You would have to know more about the novel and Robert Heinlein's thoughts to understand it. I can't blame Shan because the director of the movie didn't get it either. I do understand the predisposition of the artsy, liberal, feely types towards war and violence because that is their basic mindset. They can't understand men serving a nation or cause just for the moral or patriotic reasons. They assume it must be for glory, or rank, which is a very sophomoric attitude about soldiers in general. I have been both an artist and a solider, and it's funny that the Military folks were much more accepting of the Artistic types than the other way around. I found ironically interesting. But I'm not mad at them. When my liberal artistic friends would give me a hard time I would just laugh and tell them "It's cool. If something bad happens and war breaks out, I'll still fight for you and save you and your family". No need to even thank me.

I saw this in the theater in 1997 with my ex husband. He loved it. I was not as thrilled but respect what it was trying to accomplish. It’s not something I return to but I wanted to see how you reacted to it.

10:02 - Aw man, I *LOVE* Major Payne! That's also one of my favorites. Haven't watched it in a while though.

I saw this in 1997 as a teenager and even though I didn't get all the ideological nuance, I thought it was awesome. It's interesting that even though Verhoeven did his best to parody fascism, it's debatable whether it's actually fascism that is depicted here or some modern form of old Roman militarism. It's arguably conservative due to the separation between civilian and citizen, but details like having to get a licence to have a baby doesn't sound right-wing at all but rather like some form of progressive authoritarianism. Anyway, I think his point is well made; this ideology only really fits a martial society during constant war. Regardless of the politics, the action is well done and the visual effects are truly outstanding and hold their own compared to most things done today. I think the movie should just be enjoyed as simple dumb fun. (Shanelle, I agree with your takes very often but based on the thumbnail I thought you would miss the point of this. However I'm glad to see I was mistaken and that you got the essentials right. The FX were worthy of a mention but hey, nobody's perfect!)

I saw this in theaters when I was 10. I loved it because of how over the top and gory it was

What's wrong with the pledge of allegiance????

Starship Troopers is the movie the Nazis would make if they won the war. Thats Verhoovens point and everything he did was intentional.

It’s wild that this entire movie is based on a throw-away paragraph in the novel.

i love this movie! i rented it atleast a 100 times in the 90s. Paul veerhoven is a genius!

This was such a fun watch along Shanelle. Thanks!

Oh Shanelle, you whiner. You are a Beautiful as Denise Richards and I did rush to the movie theatre to watch this movie when it was "new". I also own it on DVD. Loved your reaction to this iconic film!!

One of the rare movies that only got better as the years passed by. As an outsider Paul Verhoeven was fascinated by the militarization of American society in the nineties and he always wanted to make a movie that would make fascism look sexy. Arguably he succeeded. To put his philosophy into perspective, growing up as a young boy in the Netherlands during the German occupation Verhoeven was lined up by German soldiers for a mock execution. I am not sure he ever really got over that experience.

The term "skinnies" to describe Somalian combatants in the 90's came from the book this movie is based on.