Johnny Rico (Van Dien) decides to become a citizen and join the Infantry after his high school sweetheart Carmen (Richards) decides to go career as a pilot, of course war with insects breaks out and all of a sudden Johnny rises through the ranks and realizes why he fights in this absolute 90s classic. Starship Troopers is one of those movies that can be enjoyed on a simple action level, but also enjoyed as being sort of disturbing, while the film is in fact a treat for the senses, it's honestly the subtlety that makes Starship Troopers so great. For instance, there is no question our protagonist joins for the wrong reasons. Mainly so his girlfriend doesn't leave him as well as her being a citizen and him being a civilian, but as the battle wages on even when reunited with his high school sweetheart it becomes clear Rico has left her behind and fallen in love with his new job. In fact Rico's new squeeze Dizzy Flores (Dina Meyer), best friend Ace (Jake Busy) and mentor Jean Rasczak (Ironside) by far become the only family Rico cares about. It is in fact the sequence where Carmen disapproves at the idea putting troops in harm's way and Rico's response of indifference is a sharp contrast, in that Carmen still has humanity and Rico doesn't. Of course let us not forget that the fight sequences are breathtaking, it's fun to see Ironside and Brown in mentor roles and Verhoeven is such a talent when it comes to genre movies. Starship Troopers is then pretty much one of my favorite movies that I watch at least once a year. A movie in the same category of rewatchability as Alien, Aliens, The Thing, Predator, Body Snatchers and The Hidden. (I Come In Peace and Pitch Black are honorable mentions, if I'm honest) as the very best in Alien rampage movies, and I consider this one to be one of my all time favorites. That said, avoid all the sequels.
* * * * Out Of 4-(Excellent, must see!)
* * * * Out Of 4-(Excellent, must see!)