Movies
June 2008

June 29, 2008

THE THIRD TIME’S A SWARM - Starship Troopers 3: Marauder at NYCC

by Dan Kaufman

The first Starship Troopers, loosely based on the Robert Heinlein novel, was released in 1997. It was directed by Paul Verhoeven (yup, the Showgirls Paul Verhoeven), and written by Ed Neumeier, also the creator and writer of Robocop (insert geek props of respect here). The movie starred Casper Van Dien as Johnny Rico, a hot-shot young soldier fresh out of school on a future Earth where the military and the government are one and the same, at a time of war with a legion of giant insects from outer space. Also starring Dina Meyer and a young Denise Richards’ omnipresent teeth, the film’s combination of young beef and cheesecake, and man-on-bug ass-kickery helped propel it to become a modest hit. Since then, its popularity has endured, and is now considered a mild sci-fi cult classic.

In 2004, the sequel, Starship Troopers: Hero of the Federation was released on DVD, and was notable mostly for what it lacked. Mainly, any characters from the first movie, 93% of the budget, and quality. But thankfully, it sold well enough to warrant another installment.

Attending the panel on Saturday were returning writer and first time director Neumeier as moderator, along with a beaming Casper Van Dien, who returns to the franchise as Johnny Rico, and Jolene Blalock (Lt. T’Pol from Star Trek: Enterprise) who plays Lola Beck, an old friend of Johnny’s, now a pilot in the Federation’s army.

Shot on location in South Africa over just 30 days (compared to 15 for ST2), the new film seems to represent a welcome return to form, as evidenced by the clips shown by Neumeier to begin the panel. The 40’s-war-propaganda-esque “fed-net” transmissions from the first movie are back, displaying the same satirical sensibility, as well as an interesting development or two [Mild spoilers follow]. One clip shows a decorated war general… singing a hokey patriotic anthem called “A Good Day to Die”, followed by all the information you need to enlist, and of course, how to purchase the song to aid the war effort (file-sharing is probably a capital offense by then). Another shows that there is a growing insurgency of war protestors, and how those who are caught face publicly broadcast hangings. “People need to watch what they say,” admonishes a stern Federation representative.

But what about the action? There were several clips shown of a bug attack on a military encampment (a much more open environment than the confined set pieces of ST2), and the footage looks promising; plenty of explosions and gore, some new grenade-type bugs, and more of the twisted black humor one should hope to expect from the father of Robocop.

Amid the usual requests for autographs, pictures, and hugs during the discussion (sigh), there were some interesting points. The relevance of the films to war in general and recent events in specific was brought up, and sparked Neumeier to reveal his influences for them. He and Paul Verhoeven had gotten together and decided to make a sci-fi story about militarism, using the Heinlein novel as his framework, and World War 2 as his inspiration. Part 2 (which Neumeier himself admits was…not ideal) was based on the more individualistic battles and terrors of the Korean War, and the new film is his version of Vietnam. Always a fun time, to be sure, but it’s all wrapped up in humor, romance, and action, and not too heavy a hand. “Think of the worst thing possible, and make a joke out of it,” is Neumeier’s strategy.

Also of note from the panel was Van Dien’s spot-on impersonation of Michael Ironside, as well as his shocking admission that yes, it is indeed awesome playing Johnny Rico. Jolene Blalock, mostly quiet, and mostly WHITE HOT, made a plea for fans to write Sony demanding a theatrical release for the film, which at the moment is going straight to DVD. Both stars were also gracious enough to sign those autographs, take those pictures, and give those hugs for a good 20 minutes. Thanks, guys!

So what are the new bugs? Will humanity prevail? What is the mobile infantry’s new weapons system, the Marauder? And what’s this about mech suits? And treason? Find out when Starship Troopers 3 arrives this July! Kill ‘em all!!!!!