``Starship Troopers'' What does the controversial science fiction war action story convey?

"Starship Troopers" synopsis

Happy Together. After The Graduate from high school, Johnny Rico decides to join the military against the wishes of his parents. He admires his girlfriend Carmen Ibanez, who aspires to be a space battleship pilot, and joins the military against the wishes of his "ordinary" parents. Then, Earth is attacked by insect-like alien creatures (Arachnid Bugs) and a full-scale war begins. Johnny, who was assigned to the Mobile Infantry, also faces a harsh current situation. During training, due to a mistake in his judgment, he caused an accident in which one of his classmates was killed in the line of duty, and once tried to leave the military, but when his hometown was attacked and destroyed, his fighting spirit was ignited. Johnny finally Paths of Glory Bugs' home planet as a mobile infantryman, but what he sees there is the Earth's army easily annihilated by the enemy's overwhelming force...

Index

• Pros and cons! A controversial science fiction masterpiece
• Admiring fascism!? A cynical look that is often overlooked
• Vahoven, who experienced World War II, is particular about depicting battles.
• The director was also completely naked!? What was The Truth about filming the shower scene?

Pros and cons! A controversial science fiction masterpiece

---

Among the many sci-fi action films, it is rare to find one that has created so many enthusiastic fans, while also creating so many haters. ``Starship Troopers'' (1997) is based on the masterpiece `` Space Warriors '' by science fiction master Robert A. Heinlein. It caused an enormous controversy. It's normal for movies to be divided into people who either love it or hate it, but this film stands out from other movies in terms of the wide range of people who love it and hate it. In any case, this is a movie that deeply stirs the hearts of viewers.

Director Paul Verhoeven, who has produced hit films such as `` RoboCop '' (1987) and ` `Basic Instinct '' (1992), says, ``I never thought I would be able to make a movie like this under a major Hollywood studio.'' . What exactly was Starship Troopers, which was full of radical energy? Let's get to the essence of it here.

“RoboCop” trailer

Touchstone Pictures, which was jointly produced with TriStar Pictures, is a production company established by Walt Disney Studios for the purpose of producing works for adults, and is known for hit works such as ` `Armageddon '' (1998). ing. Although it is ``for adults,'' it is a Disney brand, so we want to avoid extreme depictions in order to expand the box office.

However, this film was rated R in the United States, which restricts viewing to those under the age of 17, which is unusual for a Touchstone film. The reason is the depiction of murder and depiction of sex. This is unthinkable given Disney's current brand image, but in that sense, this film had ample potential to stir controversy.

However, beyond the radical depiction, there was an element that aroused controversy. Before we get into that, let's briefly review the story of this work. In the 23rd century, Earth's federal government has expanded into space and has become a military nation, fighting a war against giant insect-like space creatures called Bugs.

"Starship Troopers" trailer

After The Graduate from high school, the main character, young Johnny Rico, follows his girlfriend Carmen and volunteers to become a soldier in the Federal Army along with his schoolmates. After undergoing rigorous training, they fly to the battlefield planet and engage in fierce battles. His comrades lost their lives one after another, and he too wandered between life and death. Still, he returned to the front and returned to the front lines. In the midst of this, Johnny learns that Carmen, who was piloting a spaceship, is in danger, and takes on a life-threatening battle.

I've given a rough explanation, but if this is all there is to it, you can imagine Johnny being the hero in a typical war entertainment. However, when you watch the movie carefully, you start to feel a sense of discomfort. First, the attitude of the Earth Federation Forces, which is leading the war. At the high school Johnny attends, education is conducted in accordance with military policies. Bugs is evil and must be defeated. The images streaming from computers and televisions are all government propaganda footage that says, ``Defeat the Bugs! Volunteer for the military!''

Admiring fascism!? A cynical look that is often overlooked