Flashback: Starship Troopers - audiences didn't get the satire

Starship Troopers

Casper Van Dien, Denise Richards, Dina Meyer

Director: Paul Verhoeven

Is satire successful if large parts of the audience miss the mockery? That's the question raised by Starship Troopers, an examination of militarism, xenophobia and subjection of the individual to the state, disguised as a sci-fi blast-'em-up - that most enjoyed as a sci-fi blast-'em-up.

Adapted from a Robert Heinlein novel, it is a propaganda film sent back from the 23rd century. It follows five high school students seeking to become citizens by devoting their lives to the global Federation for "at least two years and as much more as may be required" fighting the Bugs, who colonise planets by hurling their spores into space.

After an amusing, ironic first half of indoctrination (high school and basic training), there is much green goo splatter as various species of Bugs are shot up, amid soap operatics from the rookie soldiers, who keep bumping into each other, it being a small galaxy.

A witty script and Dutch director Paul Verhoeven ( Robocop, Total Recall) elevate the film.