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Set on the future earth, Johnny Rico (Casper Van Dien) is a young student dating a girl named Carmen Ibanez (Denise Richards). When Carmen decides to join the military in order to become a class citizen (citizenship is only achieved through serving your country), Johnny follows and joins as well. He soon realizes that he joined for the wrong reasons but just as he is about to quit, an asteroid that originated from the orbit of planet "Klendathu" hits Buenos Aires (his home town) and kills his family. Johnny and his fellow troopers set out to destroy the planet's inhabitants: a type of deadly and very large scaled space bug. Through a seemingly ordinary action flick, director Paul Verhoeven creates a subtle anti-war theme, that shows us a fascist and military world far more frightening than WW2's Germany, Italy or Russia, the kind of world that is actually functioning. I love this movie for what it is and hate it for what it should have been. What it is â€" A fun filled special effects bonanza filled with action, gore, bugs and spaceships. What it should have been â€" A deep political satire of the politics and POV of war and the media coverage/spin that plagues it. In simpler terms, more like the book. And that's about as deep as I am going to get. Want to know more? Read the book. I would also recommend reading some of the reviews of the book on Amazon.com or more of the movie reviews on IMDB. I have read the book and enjoyed it, but when I want mindless violence and good special effects, I throw this in the player. The casting? This was the first thing I had seen Casper Van Dien in. For what this movie is, he does a decent job. Denise Richards may not be the greatest actress, but who cares? Charlie â€" What the **bleep** were you thinking!?! Dina Meyer as Dizzy Flores was one of the better performances, much better than Johnny Mnemonic. She seemed the most realistic of the characters, although she did look a little old to be in high school as she was 29 when this film was made. Neil Patrick Harris as Carl, he proves that he isn't just Doogie Howser. Jake Busey as Ace, I like him. Not as creepy as his dad and he does a good job. Michael Ironside is always a bad ass in anything he does. He is the only reason to watch the old TV series V, with the Visitors who are just humanoid lizards in disguise. He also has one of the coolest voices I have ever heard. Lastly, look for the cameo by Rue McClanahan, Blanche from The Golden Girls fame. Paul Verhoeven definitely has an interesting style. I love the commercials and PSA's he has used in this and Robocop off the top of my head. Total Recall was one of the first “mind f*ck” movies that I had ever seen and still don't know if it was a dream. Hell, I even like Showgirls. They briefly touch on some of the deeper aspects of the movie in a few brief scenes. Such as when Rico and his father are arguing about the importance of Federal Service and in some of Rasczak's teachings. If you read the book you will learn more about these ideas and more behind the “Administrative Punishment” and why you need to be a Citizen in order to vote, have children and enter politics. Basically in my eyes, this movie is just a big commercial for the book. The effects are nothing short of awesome. Even after almost 10 years have gone by. I have seen this movie 7 or 8 times and I am still floored. All the bugs look great except for the brain bug, which looks slightly obscene. If you've seen it, you know what I mean. If you like Sci-Fi action and war-style gore, watch this flick. If you are looking for a deeper, satirical look at the politics of war, read the book. One last thing. I beg you, do not bother with Starship Troopers 2: Hero of the Federation. It is a big stinking, steaming pile of crap. The only thing they have in common is that there is a bug or two in it. So, until we need 20 foot tall cans of Raid, keep reading. Best Lines: Newsreel Announcer: They'll keep fighting... and they'll WIN. Jean Rasczak: They sucked his brains out. Jean Rasczak: Figuring things out for yourself is practically the only freedom anyone really has nowadays. Use that freedom. Jean Rasczak: Correct. Violence has resolved more conflicts than anything else. The contrary opinion that violence doesn't solve anything is merely wishful thinking at its worst. Newsreel Announcer: Join the Mobile Infantry and save the Galaxy. Service guarantees citizenship. Would you like to know more? [after Rico gets a Dear John from Carmen] Ace Levy: Ain't it great how they want to be your friend right after they rip your guts out? Jean Rasczak: You. Why are only citizens allowed to vote? Student: It's a reward. Something the federation gives you for doing federal service. Jean Rasczak: No. Something given has no basis in value. When you vote, you are exercising political authority, you're using force. And force my friends is violence. The supreme authorit email this review to a friend
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