Starship Troopers

movie

Reviewed by Craig Martelle

Even if you aren't a sci-fi fan, go see this movie. It is the best to come out in a long time. I got cramps in my fingers and legs during the show; don't ask me how! I enjoyed the company of my wife, Bill Hogan, and Webb Pierce on a good movie morning. The first scenes from the movie showed the Mobile Infantry in uniforms surprisingly similar to WWII German. From Wehrmacht to Mountain Troops to the Gestapo, this uniform theme carried through the entire movie. It lightened the spirit a touch and I must say that Bill was quite amused. The slow, foundation laying intro (not unlike the book), was more than compensated for when Johnny Rico finally made it into combat. The graphic scenes of bodies getting ripped apart seemed incredibly realistic!

The combat tactics of the future as determined by the director appear to have taken a step backward. Heinlein's version gave an incredible amount of firepower to each power-suit aided infantryman, to include the ability to make powered jumps over mile-long distances, if need be. Heinlein's version also included other villains besides the bugs, like the skinny's. But I digress. The movie focused on the arachnids as the only galactic menace. This is plenty. Combat in the open is really wound up and high speed. Combat in the tunnels is more deliberate and just as visual. Put this movie on your must see list. If you like hard hitting combat, the infantry, and space flight, then you'll really like this flick. In addition to the gratuitous violence, there is some gratuitous sex. Don't let this detract from your movie viewing, however, look objectively! The beautiful actors definitely came out in full force for Starship Troopers. No one lacked the earthly attributes. In other notes, the future sees its share of torn off limbs - but prosthetics overcome any shortcomings in times of need. Let me reiterate for the third time, go see this movie!

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