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Written and Directed by Starring Presented by 104 minutes |
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STARSHIP TROOPERS 3: MARAUDER Review
Eleven years ago, the team behind ROBOCOP got together to adapt a classic novel by Robert A. Heinlen. STARSHIP TROOPERS became a moderate hit, a graphically violent action film about an intergalactic conflict between a fascist race of humans and an alien menace of “bugs,” giant creatures that can tear you to pieces in mere seconds. A direct to DVD sequel which dealt with the bugs invading people’s minds were met with criticism, so the producers went back to the formula of the first film, bringing back star Casper Van Dien as Johnny Rico and the result is a film that will definitely satisfy fans of the original. Set years after the first film, Rico is now a colonel in the Federation and the war has not showed any signs of slowing down. Assigned to a mining planet, Rico gets a visit from the Sky Marshal, also a top pop singer (?) whose songs of propaganda in support of the military, and his liason, General Dix Hauser, a former Roughneck who was under the command of Rico. The length of the war is starting to take its toll on the humans to the extent that just protesting the war results in death, to which the execution is carried out on live television. To make matters worse, Dix is in love with Lola (ENTERPRISE’s Jolene Blalock) who used to have a tryst with Rico as well. As a dispute between the local farmers and the military turns into a fight, General Hauser punishes Rico by charging him with insubordination. After Rico fails to protect the stronghold, he is arrested and tried for treason. Meanwhile, Lola and the Sky Marshal are attacked and crash land on a destitute planet filled with bugs. As the Federation keeps their disappearance under wraps, Rico is asked on a covert op to rescue the Sky Marshal and Lola and all charges against him will be dropped. In return, Rico learns of the Marauder project, which is the basis of how he will be able to complete his mission. The first STARSHIP TROOPERS was a fine film, and one of my favorites of 1997. Its over the top violence by director Paul Verhoeven and screenwriter Ed Neumeier put the satirical tone of propaganda well with the intense amounts of gore. Its follow up was a huge disappointment with its miniscule budget showing and is subplot of having the bugs turn the humans into “zombies.” Now with Neumeier at the helm, STARSHIP TROOPERS 3 is a direct sequel to the first, with the news headlines scattered throughout the movie in the same style of the first film. The war with the bugs does draw extreme parallels to the Iraq War, as the themes are relevant throughout, particularly in the viewing of the opposition of war. All is taken to the extreme in every way, and it does show a possibility of how the future might hold if this path continues. Leading the charge is a power hungry Admiral (played by Amanda Donohoe of LAIR OF THE WHITE WORM). Needless to say, it does get a little tiring and preachy as the film progresses, but we’re here for the action, and it does deliver in many spots. Van Dien returns to the role that made him famous, and while he shows he’s aged a little, the square jawed Ken fits back into the character with ease. To accompany him is Jolene Blalock as Lola, whose character turns from a decorated pilot to a feisty soldier over the course of the film, showing courage in protecting the Sky Marshal. Donohoe is particularly good as bitchy Admiral Phid, who uses manipulation tactics which looks to get ahead in her career but you soon discover there is more to her than just personal ambition. Stephen Hogan is also excellent as the Sky Marshal Anoke, who after surviving a bug attack begins to act all loopy while stranded on the planet with Lola and crew. Neumeier does a good job with the script and the direction mimics that of Verhoeven (who is listed here as a “presenter”) keeping it in tone with the first film. The film is budgeted at $20 million and does have a feel that it was made for more, but there is an abundant amount of CGI and the bugs look more computer generated than they did in the first film. The “Marauder” outfits also show up late in the film and are a little unflattering. If you are the type to whine endlessly about CGI, you’ll have plenty to bitch about here, but the action is good and the story flows well. In all, STARSHIP TROOPERS 3 is the sequel that fans of the original will like, as it compliments the original well. Its fun, cheesy, and very corny in its delivery, which is what made the original so much fun. You may not get many of the “in jokes” throughout the film, but it is worth a viewing and definitely will make a nice double feature to watch with the original. STARSHIP TROOPERS 3: MARAUDER: 7 Out Of 10 Maggots
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