Its origins are from a book by the acclaimed science fiction author, Robert Heinlein, but, after seeing the film, you might think it came from a comic book or graphic novel.

Paul Verhoeven, best known as director of “Basic Instinct” is at the helm for this roller coaster of a movie

It is at the confluence of several film genres. Is it a war movie? Very much so. Plenty of bug zapping action and camaraderie amongst the ranks. It could actually be a cowboy movie if you substitute hostile injuns for the arachnids. Is it a horror movie? Well, yes. The arachnids are pretty darn terrifying and the liberal sightings of gore and body parts tell of horrific deaths. Is it a science fiction movie? Yes. But only because it is set in the future. Not 1984 more Beverley Hills 90210. The CGI effects are pretty special and create a wonderful, exciting and dangerous world inhabited by the cast.

But, more than anything, it is a teen movie with all the angst and clichés of young people and their relationships. There are coming of age themes involved but Verhoeven concentrates on the beautiful young things and their sexual awareness. It wouldn’t be Paul Verhoeven film without the titillation of lingering shots of naked breasts.

A teen movie wrapped up in a war/ horror/cowboy cloak with a clanking political message about totalitarianism or fascism. All in the style of a comic book or cartoon. Weird. Yet it somehow works. The story trots along at a cracking pace with action sequences at just the right points in the film. Whilst there is only a little empathy with the main characters it is enough to keep you hooked until the next stunning action sequence. The camerawork and photography is stunningly garish. The acting is enthusiastic rather than exemplary.

The politics are interesting in that the world has clearly evolved as a totalitarian state with the government outwardly focussing on the bug threat and ruthlessly suppressing any dissent. Citizens follow the will of the state. Propaganda is used as a device to ram home the message. Not entirely convincing and none too subtle but it gives you a feel of the oppressive environment these young people are being brought up in.

The bugs are the main feature though. Their sharp edges and stabbing pincers are used to great effect in dispatching many fleshy and vulnerable humans. They swarm and are killing machines and take a lot of teamwork and rounds of ammo to take out. The brain bug sort of takes away some of the menace even though it can suck the brains out of your head. Marvellous creations.

Still we are suspending disbelief throughout the film and apart from some continuity and medical issues towards the end of the film. (Why does Carmen lose sooo much blood and yet at the end is smiling and up with the rest of them in the triumphant finale of the capture of the brain bug). Maybe it’s because we aren’t meant to take it too seriously and that it really is meant to be a live action cartoon.

It has proved so popular that it has spawned a franchise of sorts. The second film – Starship Troopers 2 – is a bit of a let down with its downbeat feel and less of the teen movie.  However, the third – Starship Troopers 3 – Marrauder -  goes more for the feel of the original and back to some of its themes. It shows how the original teen hero – Rico – has grown up during the bug wars and more of the politics of the totalitarian state. Whilst not wholly successful it is more of a return to form with the original screenplay writer now at the helm and Paul Verhoeven producing for a change.

Starship Troopers is  a high octane romp for the teen generation with references for older audiences as well. And strangely hypnotic. Possibly, because it panders to our more base instincts (geddit) and prejudices. What odds on Starship Troopers 4?

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