Starship Troopers

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Starship Troopers

R

1997

2h 9m

Sci-Fi

Action

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

72%

Tomatometer

82 Reviews

70%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

In the distant future, the Earth is at war with a race of giant alien insects. Little is known about the Bugs except that they are intent on the eradication of all human life. But there was a time before the war... A Mobile Infantry travels to distant alien planets to take the war to the Bugs. They are a ruthless enemy with only one mission: Survival of their species no matter what the cost...

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Critics Consensus

A fun movie...if you can accept the excessive gore and wooden acting.

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Lisa Alspector

Chicago Reader

03/16/2023

Director Paul Verhoeven blends the conflicting elements of intentional camp and perverse sincerity into a single tone—and he doesn’t resort to simple irony.

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Jason Bailey

Vice

11/14/2017

In its early scenes, 'Troopers 'is basically a goofy high school movie, complete with love triangles, a big game, and a school dance (and sex) after. Once they've begun infantry training, the flexing of machismo so over the top, it can only be satire.

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Nick Schager

Lessons of Darkness

06/20/2005

B+

More effective as a satire than as an action extravaganza.

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Patrick Cavanaugh

The Wolfman Cometh

Sep 12

3/5

Might not be the revisionist masterpiece some make it out to be, though its message does hit a lot harder than when audiences merely thought they were getting a bombastic sci-fi spectacle.

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Ray Pride

Newcity

02/13/2025

10/10

Cruelly visionary... You should see Verhoeven’s immense satiric mastery on the big screen, you should. (Beware those who identify with the bugs.) You want to know more.

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Todd James

Vue Weekly (Edmonton, Alberta)

08/06/2024

3/5

Despite the high-tech special effects, director Verhoeven allows for a lot of campy fun. This movie does not take itself seriously.

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RoniM T

@RT41624643 Mar 17

I absolutely loved this film, a lot of commentary on fascist society and blind obedience. I think it's a must-see, not only for the iconic, classic quotes but also for the plot and huge amount of satire, despite being inside a cheesy 90's film.

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Joseph T

@Joesysgabosh Feb 7

Worth watching top 10 movie

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Griffith J

@griffithxjohnson Jan 6

It’s cheesy & campy but fully aware of itself while subtly adding themes of fascism & military glorification. Taking tons of inspiration from 60’s & 70’s science fiction, the tone is familiar & inviting. Adapting tough source material by writing a more narrative focused story works well. Yet what is special about the book is heavily glossed over & ultimately makes for an underwhelming film. It’s bold with the outrageous violence & use of CGI/practical effects but paired with some solid social commentary on the philosophy of war.

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Ray C

@RT17651982 Nov 22

Starship Troopers is cheesy and full of wooden acting. But, it's also a lot of fun.

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Jack F

@MovieFan111 Nov 19

I'm giving this 5 stars because I think it's the first R movie I've seen from start to finish. I think I was in kindergarten when I watched it. Used to call it the "bug movie"!

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William W

@RT66515145 Nov 10

A criminally underrated sci-fi satire masterpiece!

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Paul Verhoeven

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Casper Van Dien

Johnny Rico

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Carmen Ibanez

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Synopsis

In the distant future, the Earth is at war with a race of giant alien insects. Little is known about the Bugs except that they are intent on the eradication of all human life. But there was a time before the war... A Mobile Infantry travels to distant alien planets to take the war to the Bugs. They are a ruthless enemy with only one mission: Survival of their species no matter what the cost...

Director: Paul Verhoeven
Producer: Jon Davison, Alan Marshall
Screenwriter: Robert A. Heinlein, Edward Neumeier
Distributor: Trimark Pictures
Production Co: Touchstone Pictures, TriStar Pictures, Big Bug Pictures
Rating: R (Nudity|Graphic Sci-Fi Violence/Gore|Some Language)
Genre: Sci-Fi, Action
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 7, 1997, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 16, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $54.7M
Runtime: 2h 9m
Sound Mix: Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, SDDS, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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