Calling this society Fascist is literally judging a book by its cover. Rico's parents are rich and regularly talk shit about the government, there was no "misunderstanding" with the bugs, the military accept responsibility for their failures, and the media isn't censored during military failures. Vanderhoven failed at satire here because he failed to read the source material or learn the actual theory and practice of Fascism.

Fun fact, the women who quit bootcamp after shooting the other recruit in his head married the other actor in real life following the movie. Basically, she killed him and he said "that's my girl".

29:30 "why are they fighting humanoid targets when they are fighting a bug war" Technically at this stage in the movie they aren't at war yet with the bugs. The humans are aware the bugs exist as an alien lifeform, and are considered dangerous. But other than the Mormon Extremists encounter with the bugs, there has not been any major loss of life yet. That all changes after the meteorite strike. Up until that point the bugs were not considered a big threat, more of a nuisance.

Classic! Heinlein's book came out in '59; I loved it as a kid. The movie's different, but I enjoyed that too.

This is the closest I've come to hanging out with both of you in over a year! I miss you guys 😭

I saw this movie in the cinema when it was released, I really enjoyed it back then, I still really enjoy it now! It did suck that Diz had to die, she was such a great character and complemented Rico.... but that's why she had to die, in war no-one is safe, friends and family, doesn't matter, could lose anyone in an instance! Also, Paul took a lot of inspiration from the scenes he saw while growing up during the war, as he would regularly have to walk through streets scattered with the bodies of those killed in fighting and destruction. A fun fact about the shower scene, everyone was really uncomfortable with being naked in the scene, Paul wanted to know what the problem was and that is was no big deal, so they said to him if he thought it was no big deal everyone being naked, that he should direct the scene naked himself... which he did without batting an eyelid 😂 I always find that bit funny, because I'm sure they knew that he was Dutch 🤣

This was one of the last films that really reached that ideal pinnacle of mixing practical effects with CGI. After this most studios decided just to go CG since it was less labor-intensive, but obviously films suffer for it.

This was the cutest reaction I've seen for this movie.

Note that in the books, the M.I. is only about 10,000 of the federal service positions while billions of other Federal service positions have nothing to do with the military. They even say that if you are crippled and blind they will find a job for you like counting the hairs on the back of a caterpillar so that you can serve your two years of Federal service to earn your franchise. The voting franchise is actually open to more voters than in most democracies before 1919. The M.I. are basically one man brigades with powered armor, small nuclear weapons, missiles, radar, HUD, and the ability to jump in controlled kilometer long arcs while firing at multiple targets.

To an extent, I get Johnny joining for Carmen even though they had different military specialties and were sent off to train at completely different assignments. I think the idea is that they would both be citizens, so essentially the same status. I think being a couple would have been easier with them both being citizens.

Jake Busey (Gary Busey's spikey-haired blonde son) did actually learn to play the violin for this role and all scenes of him playing violin are his actual playing.

"The Anger Management Guy" XD!

Nah honestly though, dizzy dying was the first time a movie completely broke me, her story was so tragic

If I were crew on one of those ship, I'd be wearing a spacesuit 24/7

I dont want to give anything away proceeds to hint at every upcoming plot point lol.

One thing to consider is that it's likely Paul Vederhoeven's Dutch heritage is showing in the blunt way the characters talk to each other at times. You can see some of this in Ted Lasso also from the Dutch player.

The two people they have lost already are the dead guy breckenridge and the one who took the stroll down washout lane.

The only way that the meteor could have gotten to Earth would be if they had learned how to breed a bug that could create a wormhole. We know that they had to have some kind of space travel to be able to colonize other planets and systems. Being in other systems yet being able to communicate quickly enough to learn the tactics of their enemies from the battles on those planets, there had to be some kind of FTL communications capability. According to many, regarding the media franchise the bugs have Transport bugs that can travel FTL. It's also very possible that they'd found a naturally occurring wormhole to get it within striking distance. According to fan sites, the bugs were the ones who sent the meteor and they had already created a large, star-spanning empire before they even encountered humans.

So to answer you question about what Johnny was thinking: mandatory service is two years, and he was assuming Carmen would get her citizenship then and they'd both leave the service as citizens. Also they were shooting humanoid targets because they weren't at war with the bugs yet, it also gives you a pretty good idea of the targets they were expecting to fight (aka dissidents).

This movie is proof of cameraman does not always survive.

Other Notable actors in this movie: Carl: Neil Patrick Harris Sgt Zim: Clancy Brown aka Byron Hadley and Mr Krabs Ace: Jake Busey (Gary Busey’s son) Johnny: Casper Van Dien

"I don't need an open casket funeral" is the most military comment ever 😂. I wish I'd heard that one back in my Army days.

I loved you two's reaction! You were really engaged with Starship Troopers! Keep it coming!

He literally shot him right in the heart lol

although its not an official Starship troopers game but there is great mod for Arma 2 in which someone did a RP series, he and a friend roleplayed as reporters following around a squad of players for many rounds and Carmen altering the course of the ship is often an overlooked plot point for first time viewers, they are often reacting to her flirting with him after dumping Rico to notice that.

Funny how Carmen got over her boyfriend’s brain being sucked out in less than five minutes

It's the uniforms of the upper ranks that are SS-like, not the MI uniforms. Nobody fresh out of bootcamp would have _any_ idea how to fight bugs since all the training is based on how to fight themselves. It's true that throwing a knife through someone's hand would hinder their ability to push a button on a nuke, but the bugs don't have hands or buttons.

That comment about cheating in paintball reminded me of the last game i played. Got a guy from a hidden possession. He pretended he didn't get hit.... Dumped another 20 rounds into his ankle no hesitation.

Federal service isn't just military. And the statement Service guarantees citizenship proves that the civilization in the movie is not a Fascistic one.

Great reaction to this classic Sci fi movie 31:58

This movie and the book have only the title in common, and no, it is not a fascist dictatorship

One more fun fact: there was a Starship Troopers tabletop game, and the bugs ignored the light Mobile Infantry armour entirely. The only reason you might use it is because it has a small chance to save you from friendly fire.

If you want to see a really really accurate “shell count” movie, watch Way Of The Gun. Incredible movie, very realistic gunplay.

Saw it when it first came out as a date movie

I always figured that alongside mental abilities there were humans that had higher physical abilities in this setting as well, which explained the jump in the 'football' game. I think Rico would have got the lashes whether he left or not, that is general punishment in that world.

YOU ARE GETTING IN WITH FIRST WAWE! YOU SMASHE THE WHOLE AREA YOU KILL EVERYTHING WITH MORE THAN TWO LEGS! YOU GET ME? WE GET U SIR!!!!!! Skickades för 5

29:22 😂 his side eye lol 🤯

Just looking at the comments on Patreon too. (These movies are stacking up now !!!) My only real amusing thought when I first saw this film was seeing Doogie Howser, I mean Neil Patrick Harris and thinking "My God, how he's grown up" !!!

Still some of the best CGI of all time

in the book all of the Mobile Infantry are supposed to be in a mech similar to the Marauder mechs from the 3rd movie. The anime is closer to the book than the movie.

Based on the commentary at the end, it seems some clarification is in order. First, a timeline: 1) Mormons attempt to establish a settlement on a bug planet. 2) In response to this trespass, the bugs kill the settlers. 3) As further retaliation for the Mormons, the bugs then launch an asteroid at Earth. 4) Carmen narrowly, partially dodges the asteroid. 5) The asteroid strikes Buenos Aires. 6) The Federation traces the origin of the asteroid to Klendathu and declares war on the bugs. 7) The Federation launches their failed assault on Klendathu. The movie just kinda says in a propaganda video that the bugs sent the asteroid without any supporting evidence. In fact, the bugs appear to lack the means of such an attack. I suspect Verhoeven did this deliberately to make the audience question the Federation because he was trying to portray them as Fascists. The book makes it more clear. The bugs have advanced technology (including space ships) and I think they utilized a wormhole to send the asteroid. So the bugs _did_ send the asteroid. And unless you consider a few peaceful Mormons trying to establish a settlement on a bug planet to be an attack, it was the bugs who attacked first. To be fair, the bugs may have considered the Mormon settlement to be an attack, but their response was out of proportion. It would be like if a guy trespassed on my yard so shot him, then I burned his house down with his wife and kids inside. The timeline also explains why they were shooting at human shaped targets in boot camp. At that time, they weren't at war with the bugs. They weren't planning on being at war with the bugs either. If they thought war against the bugs was a likely possibility, they would have some amount anti-bug training or even anti-bug propaganda in boot camp. The fact that there wasn't suggests the Federation was blindsided by the attack.

I'm pretty sure that Enders Game was based on Starship Troopers the book.

"Smash! Medic!" Lol Nice

On the bounce!

Hey guys. Time to bug out. I loved Kelsea's empathy to the frightened brain bug being probed. Poor puppy. LOL You have a gentle soul. This creature just orchestrated mass murder and wiped out the starship fleet, but it's sad cute face warranted a cuddle. 😥 Kudos to the special effects. This and other 90's movies like Terminator 2 are visually more realistic than those of this era. Current computer graphics are substandard and bug the hell out of me. It also bugged me how Carmen's wound miraculously healed, but I guess that wasn't the only unrealistic part of this wild ride. Thank you, Kelsea and Jarrett, for the fun reaction. I should bug-ger off now. (I can't help the dad jokes :)

there is a RTS game call starship troopers terran command, its good game.

How does that guy still have perfect hair after sex?

The arachnids shot the rockets and they can travel faster than light. In the book its very clear they have technology, they shoot lasers at the troopers and send thousands of "drones" to confuse the enemy, etc. The movie has some plot holes since the director wanted to make it more "fascist" like the babies part.

A recommendation in the franchise for the boyfriend : "Roughnecks : Starship Troopers Chronicles" CGI animation show from the 90's . The first season is kinda slow, but it picks up gradually for a fine overall story . The CGI is 90's CGI, so there's that, but it has a few pluses like the director of this movie Paul Verhoeven as Producer, and a reporter inbeded with the troops to give the audience that third eye perspective, where actions within the show are questioned within the show . If you like the Universe, it definitely adds to the experience , and is overall far better than the following live action movies . As for both of you, if you have the time to do a TV show together, I'd suggest Battlestar Galactica from the early 2000's . Space shit, robots, religion, faith, human triumph and misery a whole lot more with some excellent writing & acting . It starts off with a two episode mini movie, so you have something to try it out with .

45:00 "i have a feeling it will work out for her" Me: 😢😮😢

I wish the new game was on console lol, i used to love the side tv animated series roughnecks too lol

48:30 It sounds like you need to watch more Jack Nicholson movies. (I highly recommend Chinatown.) 1:13:40 Your assessment of the asteroid reminds me of the USS Maine in 1889 or WMDs in 2003.

Awesome 😎 movie

Meteor was 100% from the bugs. Not Sure where you got the idea it wasn't.

He was right the sequels aren't that good and need a serious remake. Great reaction Kelsea. ❤. ☮️ This movie was lacking in military strategy. Not the best move to approach a planet with Anti Aircraft weapons, and park. Traveling towards the planet, you could shoot those launch sites, instead they went straight to them. BTW... since 'space' is zero pressure, and the space ships have 'earth normal' pressure, the change in pressure isn't strong enough to suck anyone out. That's all movie stuff. 🖖😁👍

Your guys discussion has a lot of the common misconceptions about the film. You didn't discuss all of them, but I figured I list them here for your thoughts: 1. The bugs have interstellar travel. Its mentioned in the film that Rico's desired offworld vacation spot is zegama beach and then later in the film when he meets his new unit its declared its gone, the bugs wiped it out. You have to remember this film is a propaganda film from that movies society. They didnt know the bugs could do that. Carmen is almost killed when that rouge asteroid comes out of nowhere with high gravity. Thats because the bugs can perform interstellar travel and did launch interstellar attacks several times in the film, humans just didn't know that and thought they launched low speed non interstellar spores in asteroids. Later on they knew that to be false and defended against another attack with new weapons on the moon. 2. The human government is not fascist. Its a limited enfranchisement volunteer liberal democratic government. This is shown that you can quit at any time without consequence except you will never be a citizen. Also Rico's parents are super wealthy without being citizens. They even say hes going to Harvard with those shit test scores meaning money still behaves the same way. Also the supreme military authority steps down after the disaster and is replaced by a black women who has better strategy. You never see that in Fascism. Citizens have more rights than civilians but all the civilians can still enjoy most rights except voting or being given preferential allotment for children, which is why the one girl signed up for "many babies" instead of one. Also the film shows a future thats gotten past racism, sexism, and nationalism. Rico is somehow from buenos aires but all his squad mates are from all walks of life. Not a quality of Fascism again. Finally once a citizen you can vote and voting acts like normal liberal democracy. 3. There was no false flag attack. The humans technically started the war by invading arachnid ground. The federations told the mormons not to go and settle, because they knew that was arachnid territory but since its not a dictatorship, they let them go and the bugs slaughtered the "invaders" They, the "Bugs" don't have a concept of government since its a hive mind. So they considered that the start of the war. Just the like the news reporter said on the station " Some say the bugs were provoked by the intrusion of humans into their natural habitat, that a "Live-and-let-live" policy is preferable to war with the bugs. " before rico blasted "I say Kill them all". 4. The film is a book adaptation. The director famously said he never read the book and the script was adapted from something called bughunt on outpost 57 and the script writers said they read like 2 chapters and gave up. The director was a holocaust survivor and wanted to portray how war turns everyone into fascists so in the third act Neil Patrick Harris comes out wearing a Gestapo Uniform but thats surface level stuff only is fascist is the reality of there world isn't true but in the "real world" of the movie the humans are fighting a war for survival so he's correct uniform choice not standing. 5. Its all a propo from there future so the events and news can't be trusted. The news shows them losing over and over and horribly. Thats not standard fascist propo messaging. The last scene with them declaring they will continue fighting and will win can be considered that but the entire movie shows the entire species losing, so that might be just to get new citizens to fight for humanity since its a war for the species at that point. So many people see this film over and over and don't connect the dots. I hope you read this and consider the film differently. Edited for grammer.

I actually love the idea of a future where coed showering with no sexual connotation or weirdness is the norm

I was pretty young when this first came out and missed some of the commentary and watched it because it looked like cool sci-fi. It always bothered me why the M.I had no air support or armor (tanks, etc) not even artillery. And I really wonder how some of those ships even made it back with that kind of damage (klendathu invasion).

I didn't get the deeper satirical elements when I was younger. But now that I'm seeing it again and older, it's actually kind of scary how good this film really is.

I recently watched Paul Verhoeven’s 1992 film “BASIC INSTINCT” again. It still holds up. Although seeing it now, it’s kinda tame. There were so much controversy around the sex scenes at the time, now?? 😂😂😂😂😂😂. I would say even “THE AMERICANS” is more risqué. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣. Still a damn good movie though. Season 2 of THE WHITE LOTUS 🪷 definitely has more explicit scenes. Shows how time has changed.

This movie is like second only to Grease when it comes to high school students with joint problems and mortgages.

the skinnies in the book were humanoid

Something to keep in mind is that you're watching a propaganda film- very much like the ones from WWII. Some of the events- like Carmen walking around after being impaled through her shoulder - can be glossed over based on the false narrative going on.

I saw this movie when it came out back in the summer of 1997. The funny thing is I was in tech school for the Air Force. I was at Shepard AFB, TX in the city of Wichita Falls at the time. I still love this movie cheese and all. The novel is so different, the director never finished reading the book and it shows that director was Paul Verhooven famous for Robocop and Total Recall. This movie is part of the Verhooven trilogy.

I'm glad you caught that it's literally impossible for the bugs to have launched the meteor to Earth. It's easier to blame someone else for a tragedy than to admit that it was just a tragedy, and the sequels are aware if this too. In the third movie the bugs are basically like "what do we have to do to get you to stop this war you're losing?" Edit: had to lose the heart to correct some embarrassing spelling mistakes.

You guys are cute

Next Reaction film 300 Spartan 👍👍

Some key things- "School" seems to go on longer- maybe to age 20 or so, but has more courses on things like Xenobiology. The indoor football has concrete floors and minimal safety equipment. The players seem enhanced - possibly on state approved steroids. Rich people can get their kids into Harvard despite dismal math scores. They show a huge array of guns around the moon to destroy any inbound meteors. That's no where in sight when the meteor strikes. Carmen's ship would never have encountered the meteor if she hadn't adjusted their course to show off. The bugs have no spaceships- and no way to launch a meteor across the GALAXY. With no faster than light travel, the "bug meteor" would have taken millions of years to hit Earth. The entire meteor attack was a "false flag" to justify war against the bugs. The uniforms are intentionally Nazi inspired- grey and black- with Karl's trenchcoat being patterned after the SS. They REALLY wanted to drive home that yes, you're rooting for the Nazis. The special effects still look better than most effects today- they used both practical and CG to give a great blend of awe and gore that looks very believable. They made huge studio models for the spaceships- particularly the ones being destroyed. They also made life sized Arachnids, so the actors weren't just emoting to a green screen.

Rico killed Dizzy not the bugs, change my mind.

is that tobey maguire?

he got busted down to pvt for ripping up ricos 1248form

The only shitty thing about the movie was that Lizzy died and Carmen survived. I didn't like it at all. Otherwise, of course, an absolute cult film.

Paul Verhoven definitely had an agenda from the start. He cherry picked a few little things out of the book and ignored the rest. But the movie was and is good fun with good replay value. And it led me to read the book, which has a much more nuanced view on just about everything.

How in the world have you overlooked two of the highest rated and most watched Netflix short series? WEDNESDAY and THE QUEEEN'S GAMBIT. Both are outstanding! Add them to the list.

The animated spin-off series Roughnecks was actually quite good, imo.

Tbh, i dont really care about the political commentary of the movie or "how accurate it is to the source." There's a lot of movies that are generally or vastly different from the books that arent held to such a standard that people hold their comparisons for Starship Troopers. Its a really good movie with some great classic effects that ya dont see much of anymore, the other movies are alright imo. Just not as good as the first forsure.

It’s not Fascism! It’s Democratic Fascism. 🤣 “Citizens” can vote.

1:15:08 regardless of "whars her name" rerouting their ships course, the Lunar defense grid should have been able too defend against it. The asteroid was allowed too hit earth for a "False Flag" operation.

Why Enders Game, Robert Heinlein wrote the Book Starship Troopers in the 50s, the Best from Enders Game was the Score by Steve Jablonsky. Next thing you know, you never compare a book with a film. Because changes always have to be made in order to offer something new or they are simply not relevant to the plot. Everyone who reads a book is the director and has their own ideas, the same with a film adaptation. It's the director's version!

4:10 "They are not a democracy" ... WRONG ... you simply have to EARN THE RIGHT TO VOTE (and to be voted for) instead of "everyone getting it for free". It is a DIFFERENT KIND of democracy ... please stop thinking that "our form of democracy is the only one". Ancient Greece had something like "the representatives were randomly chosen from the pool of eligible people" (or something along that line) ... it is still a form of democracy, where the DIMOS (the people) get to be "the deciders" (politicians) instead of ARISTOCRATS being hereditary leaders or GENERALS taking over!

😂 😂😂 Paul Verhoeven just had to sneak in a co-Ed shower scene 🎬 !!!! That no one talks about!!! 😂😂😂 Imagine a movie today doing that!!!! Movies now are so sterile! Thank you Paul! You’re a master. Basic Instinct Benedetta SHOWGIRLS Black Book

I prefer the book to the movie, but I still like the movie. Aside from most of the names, galactic war, and places, it has really nothing in common. The reason those targets were human shaped is because in the book, there is another alien race called the Skinnies. They are humanoid and allies of the bugs. Also, there is an animated series called Roughnecks: Starship Troopers Chronicles, two additional live action movies, and two animated movies. The second movie ( Hero of the Federation) was low budget and not well recieved. The third movie (Marader) was better, but added musical numbers. The two animated movies ( Invasion and Traitor of Mars) are excellent.

That's the funny part of this movie, Verhoeven was so disinterested in the book and just wanted to create a commentary on fascism that he accidentally was rather accurate to the spirit of the book. Verhoeven's incompetence on the story end flipped his whole intent and actually made the OPPOSITE of a fascist government. There is a reason why this movie resonates with people. Fascist governments don't tell the truth. They wouldn't tell of the 100,000 soldiers killed in an hour. Fascist leaders aren't held accountable, yet Sky Marshal Deans publicly takes responsibility for Klendathu and steps down. The only thing fascist in the movie is the dressing. As for the military problems in the movie, you can only be as knowledgeable as the writers. These people don't even know about firearms (don't get me started on the fantasy Glock in a caliber that doesn't exist in "The Dark Knight"), or the military. They couldn't understand they would never set an outpost in a valley. It's a kill zone. They don't know about firearms and shooting discipline, so they couldn't direct them accurately. Verhoeven made the same mistake in "Total Recall." There is a scene where they ambush the the main character Quade by sandwiching him between two groups. Well, if the movie was accurate, they would have all shot each other while trying to shoot Quade. When it comes to the bugs, they DID consider the Mormon settlement as an attack upon their society. Bug society is a hive. They value the soldier bugs as much as MI values ammunition. It matters little that 100,000, or a 100 million die, so long as the objective is achieved. As for the asteroid, the bugs DID fire the asteroid. They used a wormhole to get it across the galaxy to hit Earth. That's how it went undetected through Federation space. By not explaining the asteroid, they gloss over things creating plot holes for the fans. They did this with the Great Eagles in Lord of the Rings trilogy. Low resolution people ask why the Eagles didn't just fly Frodo and the Ring directly to Mordor. Well, the immortal Nazgul, riding their fellbeasts, would have killed them and given the Ring right over to Sauron. Others ask why they weren't involved earlier in the war. They WERE. The Eagles had their own war they were fighting against the allies of Sauron in the North. They just didn't relate it in the movie as was why they didn't show up until the Battle of Marannon at the Black Gate. Side fact: Yes, Jake Busey did play the violin.

idk i think Marauders is ok but the 2nd one is pretty much trash

So a quick thing about the sequels, Starship Troopers is one of the very few series where none of the movies loses the plot. Every single one of them keeps the theme of "fascists who don't know they're fascists" and every single one shows this as a terrible thing. Don't get me wrong though, the sequels are nowhere near as good as the original, though I think 3 at least is a decent movie if you can get past the low budget (it had about 10% the budget of the first one, that's not a joke).

“Come on, Apes! Do you want to live for ever?” is a paraphrase of a famous remark addressed to his troops by Frederick the Great (“ Kerls, wollt ihr denn ewig leben?). Apparently surveys of viewers’ opinions indicated that many women condemned Carmel’s behaviour; yet arguably she only behaved as many men do and eventually she, like Rico, matured as a result of her experiences.