I want to preface this with the caveat that this film is clearly a lower budget, direct to DVD film and cannot compete with big budget films in terms of special effects and cinematography. It is also, unlike Starship Troopers 2: Hero of the Federation, a sequel that is very much in the spirit of the first Starship Troopers movie. If you disliked, or didn't get, the camp and satire of the first movie, you won't like this one.
Starship Troopers is back in this third film, loosely based/inspired by the classic and controversial Robert Heinlein novel. This film marks the return of Casper Van Dien as Johnny Rico and also a welcpme return to campy fun of the first film. The film continues the war with the Bugs that is the theme of the series.
Here the Federation is clearly far much more tyrannical than the first film, which was itself far more authoritarian than the original novel. Rather this is meanta sign that the war is going poorly or merely a misunderstanding of the original source material is unclear.
Campy jingoistic music "It's a Good Day to Die" as sung by Sky marshal Omar Anoke. You gotta love it. Don't watch the bonus video or the damn thing will get stuck in your head.
Jolene Blalock makes a good addition to the cast of Starship Troopers 3, playing Captain Lola Beck, an old friend or flame of Johnny Rico.
Johnny Rico - Casper Van Dien. Now a colonel, he greets the skymarshal and Captain Beck.
Troopers scrambling during bug attack. Fewer in number than in the big battles of the first film, they are still sometimes involved in impressive battle scenes.
Is there something wrong with the sky marshal? Questions about his sanity loom.
A Starship, which was something that was missing in the mostly single planet second film. The space scenes generaly looked pretty good.
The aftermath of the first battle. This is the catalyst for the main plot.
Boris Kodjoe as Gen. Dix Hauser, a mostly desk bound hero in this film.
A paradise planet with a beach, a babe, and of course, some bugs! (Note the use of the term "babe" was for alliteration not sexism).
Following the recommendations of some critics of the first film...
Another picture of Captain Beck who is really the tough, main character of the film, at least as much as Johnny Rico
Is there something on the horizon? Where there are troopers there must be bugs.
This scene actually looked pretty impressive in the film. The special effects are not generally overwhelming, but they are up to the task.
Marnette Patterson plays the annoyingly perky and faithful Holly Little.
Blasting Bugs! One of the highlights of any Starship Troopers film.
Amanda Donohoe plays the tough as nails Admiral Enolo Phid. The only question is rather she's a hero or villain.
Bigger, badder bugs. This new bug is even bigger than the brain bug of the first film. I loved its means of speech.
Mecha troopers - what more need be said?
More Starships, really they looked pretty good in the film. I was pleasantly surprised.
"God is real and he's on our side!" The Federation finds religion - for propaganda. Many people don't seem to get that the film is satirizing excessive faith, not endorcing it.
Yes there is, and no, I won't post an uncensored picture! Why some people rewatch the films.
All things considered, Starship Troopers 3 is a pretty good film, but by no means a great one. It is worth a rental, but not a purchase (unless you're quite well off).
