Starship Troopers

Details

Set several hundred years in the future, humanity has expanded across the galaxy and now finds itself locked in a brutal war against a race of giant alien insects. Citizenship has become a privilege earned through Federal Service, with military enlistment offering young recruits the chance to earn the right to vote and become full members of society.

Fresh out of school, Johnny Rico enlists in the Mobile Infantry alongside his friends Carmen Ibanez, Carl Jenkins and Dizzy Flores. Whilst each follows a different path through the military, they soon discover that training is every bit as dangerous as the war itself, with harsh discipline and battlefield casualties quickly replacing any romantic ideas they once had about serving their country.

When the Arachnids launch a devastating attack on Earth, killing millions of civilians, the Federation responds with an all-out assault on the bugs' home world. Rico and his fellow troopers find themselves on the front line of an increasingly desperate campaign, facing an enemy that vastly outnumbers them and seems almost impossible to defeat.

Combining spectacular large-scale battles with moments of dark humour, the film follows Rico's rise through the ranks as humanity fights for survival against an enemy that simply refuses to stay dead.

Picture & Sound

The picture quality remains one of the very best currently available on DVD. Detail is exceptional, colours are vibrant and the CGI blends seamlessly with the live action, producing effects that rarely betray their digital origins. Even after repeated viewings it remains difficult to fault the transfer, which comfortably ranks amongst the finest discs in my collection.

The Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack is, if anything, even more impressive. Explosions, weapons fire and Basil Poledouris' superb score make constant use of every speaker, creating an incredibly immersive experience.

One particular highlight comes during the valley sequence, when the communications officer climbs to higher ground only to be snatched by a flying Bug. As it swoops around the canyon the sound follows perfectly around the room, producing one of the most memorable surround demonstrations currently available on DVD.

Menu & Extras

Extras are plentiful, although it's mildly irritating that they've been placed on the reverse side of the disc rather than using the second layer. It's a minor inconvenience, but still preferable to the Region 2 release, which rather bizarrely requires you to flip the disc halfway through the film to continue watching. Whatever you do, don't buy the Region 2 version!

Overall

Many critics complained that Starship Troopers lacked a meaningful plot, but I think they rather missed the point. This is a huge, gloriously over-the-top science-fiction war film that never pretends to be anything else. Yes, it's loud, violent and occasionally ridiculous, but that's precisely what makes it so entertaining.

The cast may not be filled with household names, but they fit their roles perfectly, whilst Michael Ironside and Clancy Brown add some welcome authority to the military proceedings. Paul Verhoeven keeps the pace moving throughout and delivers some genuinely spectacular action sequences that still stand up remarkably well.

Perhaps the film's greatest achievement is its technical presentation. Between the stunning picture quality and one of the finest Dolby Digital soundtracks available, Starship Troopers has become one of those discs you instinctively reach for whenever someone wants to hear what a home cinema system can really do.

If you're looking for deep philosophical science fiction, look elsewhere. If, however, you want a no-brains sci-fi blockbuster with jaw-dropping visuals, outstanding surround sound and enough giant alien bugs to keep you grinning from start to finish, look no further.

Special features

• Deleted Scenes
• Filmmakers Commentary
• Theatrical Trailer
• Documentary
• Behind-the-scenes Footage
• Screen Tests