Starship Troopers [Repackaged]

Director: Paul Verhoeven Paul Verhoeven

Overview

Paul Verhoeven (Total Recall, Robocop) directed this science fiction action adventure, an adaptation of Robert A. Heinlein's novel. This early press release described the film's basic plot: "The heroes of the Starship Troopers story are Johnny Rico and Carmen Ibanez, high-school sweethearts who join the armed forces of the future. Separated in training, they are reunited on a crucial mission after Earth is attacked by an intelligent race of giant insects from across the galaxy. When Carmen is taken prisoner, Johnny saves her, and though the war is far from over, Johnny and Carmen will fight on together." The story focuses on a group of military grunts, trained as a fighting unit. Relaxation time includes the futuristic sport jumpball (a type of indoor football). After alien insects attack, the lives of all the Troopers are altered forever. As the war escalates, the notion of human extinction becomes a possibility. With 90% of the alien bugs computer-created, a variety of creatures are depicted-from the brain bug and the queen bug down to breeder bugs (who activate anti-aircraft plasma bugs), and armored tanker bugs. Fanged warrior bugs use their fangs and claws to dig holes, halve humans, rip off arms and legs, and slice, dice and shred their other human victims. The film employed hundreds of extras and used 400+ special fx sequences. Filmed in California (LA and Long Beach, where Cal State's pyramid gym was used for the jumpball game), New York, South Dakota, Wyoming (Casper, Hell's Half Acre), and Utah (an abandoned Wendover airstrip where the Enola Gay WWII bomber crew trained). At Mile Square Park (an abandoned airfield in Fountain Valley, California), an elaborate set was constructed to resemble a military boot camp of the future-complete with an array of pup tents, gull-winged spaceship, hurdle obstacle course, and training facility buildings. In one on-set accident, Dina Meyer had to reach in a hole and pull actor Michael Ironside out, but instead, she fell in the hole and was flown to a hospital. Licensing included toys from Galoob.

Product Details

Release Date:	06/12/2007
UPC:	0043396198555
Original Release:	1997
Rating:	R
Source:	SONY PICTURES HOME ENTERTAINMT
Region Code:	1
Presentation:	[Wide Screen]
Sound:	[Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround, Dolby Digital Surround]
Language:	English
Time:	2:04:00
Sales rank:	16,059

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Casper Van Dien	Johnny Rico
Dina Meyer	Dizzy Flores
Denise Richards	Carmen Ibanez
Jake Busey	Ace Levy
Neil Patrick Harris	Carl Jenkins
Clancy Brown	Sgt. Zim
Seth Gilliam	Sugar Watkins
Patrick Muldoon	Zander Barcalow
Michael Ironside	Jean Rasczak
Rue McClanahan	Biology Teacher
Marshall Bell	Gen. Owen
Eric Bruskotter	Breckinridge
Matt Levin	Kitten Smith
Blake Lindsley	Katrina
Anthony Ruivivar	Shujimi,Actor
Brenda Strong	Captain Deladier
Dean Norris	Commanding Officer
Christopher Curry	Mr. Rico
Lenore Kasdorf	Mrs. Rico
Tami-Adrian George	Djana'D
Teo	Corporal Bronski
Steven Ford	Lt. Willy
Ungela Brockman	Corporal Birdie
Greg Travis	Net Correspondent
Bruce Gray	Sky Marshall Dienes
Denise Dowse	Sky Marshall Meru,Actor
John Cunningham	Fed Net Announcer,Voices
Julianna McCarthy	Expert
Timothy McNeil	Expert
Robert David Hall	Recruiting Sergeant
Brad Kane	Lanny
Amy Smart	Pilot Cadet
Timothy Omundson	Psychic
Patrick Bishop	Engineering Officer
Hunter Bodine	Young Cap Trooper
Travis Lowen	Little Boy Trooper
Patrick Wolff	Late Cadet
Mara Duronslet	Communications Officer
Dale Dye	General
Michael Stokey	Officer with Morita
Tyrone Tann	Student
Matt Entriken	Marco
Eric DaRe	Medic
Ronald L. Botchan	Jumpball Referee
Walter Adrian	Judge
Stephanie Erb	Young Mother
Alexi Lakatos	Stomping Kid
Nathaniel Marshall	Stomping Kid
Austin Sanderford	Stomping Kid
Rhiannon Vigil	Stomping Kid
Mylin Brooks	Female Trooper
Armand Darrius	Male Trooper
Kai Lennox	Male Trooper
Curnal Achilles Aulisio	Sgt. Gillespie
Michael Stockey	Actor
Basil Poledouris	Composer

Technical Credits

Edward Neumeier

Robert A. Heinlein

Anette Haellmigk

Paul Verhoeven	Director
Scott E. Anderson	Special Effects
Vic Armstrong	Stunts
Laura Buff	Special Effects
Jon Davison	Producer
Alec Gillis	Special Effects
Elaine J. Huzzar	Casting
Alan Marshall	Producer
John McLeod	Special Effects
Johanna Ray	Casting
John Richardson	Special Effects
Phil Tippett	Special Effects,Producer
Edward Neumeier	Screenwriter,Screenwriter
Robert A. Heinlein	Screenwriter
Frances Doel	Producer
Stacy Lumbrezer	Producer
Michael J. Benavente	Sound Effects
Dean Beville	Sound Effects,Sound Effects
Katherine Aaron	Special Effects
Tony Araki	Sound Effects
Raul A. Bruce	Sound Effects
Industrial Light & Magic	Special Effects
Anette Haellmigk	Screenwriter
Joseph Geisinger	Sound/Sound Designer
Stephen Flick	Sound/Sound Designer
Banned From the Ranch Entertainment	Special Effects
Boss Film Studios	Special Effects
Industrial Light and Magic	Special Effects
Sony Pictures Imageworks	Special Effects
Tippett Studio	Special Effects
Visual Concept Entertainment	Special Effects
Amalgamated Dynamics	Special Effects

Editorial Reviews

This highly ambitious adaptation of the sci-fi novel by Robert A. Heinlein exhibits director Paul Verhoeven's signature flashes of mordant wit, satire, and strong violence. The rare action picture that tries to operate on several levels at once, Troopers uses elements of fascism, Nazi imagery, and World War II propaganda to illustrate its central story: the takeover of futuristic civilization by deadly, ravaging insects. A singular piece of science fiction that achieves its goals -- especially in the notable casting of good-looking, bland performers to underline the army's Aryan-ness -- Verhoeven's film simultaneously parodies and satisfies the public's fascination with media and mass destruction. Troopers is very much a companion to the director's 1987 hit RoboCop, which dealt with similar issues in a comparably cheeky tone, without losing its ability to be a grand entertainment. Though it was a mid-level success, Troopers failed to achieve blockbuster status, considering its $100 million budget. Encouragingly, though, the film is widely recognized in cult circles as a telling critique of the absurdity of wartime values.