SYNOPSIS...

In the future, kids go to a futuristic school in Buenos Aires. When alien bugs launch asteroids at Earth, young friends join the military to fight the threat.

In boot camp, young Rico finds his strength and decision-making ability tested. Meanwhile his high school honey goes to flight school, receiving training from Rico's football rival.

Rico and his fellow troopers fight alien bugs, receiving devastating losses. When Rico's former Drill Instructor captures the alien bug ruler, the tide is turned in the battle against the bugs.

REVIEW...

Even though it is flawed, it is fun. Director Paul Verhoeven's "Starship Troopers" is a well made, if sometimes gross Science Fiction action epic.

As the lead trooper Rico, Casper Van Dien is a great looking guy who's rather weak in the acting department. His handsome looks, healthy pompadour, and firm jaw line bring to mind the young Robert Conrad.

Jake Busey offers fine support as Rico's trooper buddy. With appearances in both "Contact" and "Starship Troopers," Busey is turning into something of a Sci-Fi regular.

Michael Ironside makes a strong impression as a teacher turned military leader. Ironside played a convincing bad guy in Verhoeven's "Total Recall."

Neil Patrick Harris plays a guy with E.S.P. who rises through the ranks of military intelligence. Harris's character has the most convincing character arc, transforming gradually from a "Doogie Houser"-like innocent to a jaded and grizzled veteran.

"Starship Troopers" offers gross bugs of various sizes and configurations. The smaller ones, a bit like jumbo praying mantises, frequently computer generated, are quite convincing. Giant beetles, however, which burst up out of the earth, resemble the mechanical props they obviously are. Creative Visual Effects Supervisor Phil Tippett gets the credit/blame.

The film offers a variety of spaceships and mini-shuttles, featured in some impressive and convincing space warfare. Spaceship Visual Effects Supervisor Scott E. Anderson gets the credit.

The Music, by Basil Poledouris, is bold, rousing, and a bit obvious. Considering that Verhoeven presents the movie as a kind of futuristic recruitment film, the music is probably just right.

"Starship Troopers" biggest flaw is that, when all is said and done, it's just a kill the big bugs movie. While his "Robocop" contained social commentary, and "Total Recall" had things to say about identity and the difference between reality and illusion, "Starship Troopers" BIG THOUGHT is that the only good bug is a dead bug.

"Starship Troopers" should be fairly watchable for many Sci-Fi viewers. Those who find bugs or gross-out effect creepy should steer clear of this film.