Metascore

Mixed or average reviews - based on 20 Critics What's this?

User Score

Generally favorable reviews- based on 65 Ratings

  • Starring: Casper Van Dien, Denise Richards
  • Summary: From the bridge of the Fleet Battlestation Ticonderoga, with its sweeping galactic views, to the desolate terrain of planet Klendathu, teeming with shrieking, fire-spitting, brain-sucking special effects creatures, acclaimed director Paul Verhoven crafts a dazzling epic based on Robert A. Heinlein's classic sci-fi adventure. Courageous soldiers travel to the distant and desolate Klendathu system for the ultimate showdown between the species. (Sony) Expand
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 20
  2. Negative: 3 out of 20
  1. Reviewed by: Mike Clark
    100
    This twisted space opera serves up carcasses in six-digit figures but is foremost a sendup for the ages.
  2. Reviewed by: Todd McCarthy
    80
    A spectacularly gung-ho sci-fi epic that delivers two hours of good, nasty fun.
  3. Reviewed by: Sandra Contreras
    60
    This is a movie nasty enough to kill off the major characters twice and still manage to serve up a happy ending.
  4. Reviewed by: Scott Rosenberg
    30
    In this bizarrely discordant mixture of ultraviolent action footage, bad acting, crisp special effects and futuristic camp, the remnants of Heinlein's rhetoric of military pride stick out like a grimy Marine uniform at a high-toned Hollywood party.

See all 20 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 22
  2. Negative: 3 out of 22
  1. TomT
    10
    A thought-provoking, entertaining sci-fi action film based on Robert A. Heinlein's Hugo award winning classic sci fi military novel..that is not for the squeamish, the humorless or the knee jerk, politically correct. Expand
  2. This movie is a guilty pleasure, but is nonetheless one of my favorite sci-fi movies. Starship Troopers embraces its over-the-top characters and cheesy sci-fi action to make a fun movie which still presents some truly interesting ideas. Unlike the novel on which it is based, this film is all about action rather than thoughtful reflection. If you want a deep movie then look elsewhere, but if space soldiers fighting giant bugs sounds like a good time, then this will keep you entertained. Expand
  3. AndyM.
    5
    One thing that immediately struck me about the film was the absolute gender equality that seemed to be present in this society. Such an aspect starts out as being novel and inspiring, until you realize it's just an excuse for the filmmakers to put hot women in scenes which would otherwise be all-male. In addition, the themes of war and violent conflict are addressed, as well as the morality of the destruction of life that may be sentient and intelligent. But these thought-provoking concepts are quickly thrown away for more entertaining things like dramatic visuals and gore. It is an entertaining picture, I'll give it that. The "brain bug" that is apparently intelligent looks like it has a vagina on its face. Yet, there are so many ridiculous things... the prominent one being the strange ability for overgrown bugs to attack other planets, yet without any kind of tool use other than "throwing a meteor". Additionally, I was constantly wondering why these troopers went around blasting fruitlessly at this unaffected bug-monsters with rifles, when they could just drop a huge bomb and be done with it! Oh, right, classic weapons make better cinema. I mean, despite the faults, one should watch it for free on hulu.com, while it's up. Otherwise... you could skip it. Expand
  4. FluxX.
    1
    Astonishingly awful film, thanks to the plot and dialogue and acting. I think that's why I dislike it so; since they had the special effects and budget and even the fascist satire angle to make a good film. They just ruined it with the impossibly insipid cutie teen actors and the complete idiocy of their every action. If you completely unplug your brain you might be able to sit through this one for the pretty colors and explosions, but any thought will doom your enjoyment. Why do humans go down on planets that are death traps? Why don't they have insecticide or lasers or virtually anything that would work better than the completely ineffective machine guns? Why don't humans just nuke all the planets? How did the bugs evolve their abilities to shoot things into orbit? How do the bugs live without any food or water on their planets? How do they throw a rock millions of lightyears through space in a few months without space ships or any sort of technology? How can they aim it once they throw it? Why didn't they just throw a rock big enough to extinguish life on earth in the first place? I could go on and on, but you get the idea. Dumbest movie ever. Expand

See all 22 User Reviews

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