"Starship Troopers 3: Marauder"

A much smaller film than the original $100 million Starship Troopers yet bigger than the came-and-went Starship Troopers 2, round three is by far the best of the series. Edward Neumeier wrote the first episode based on a Robert Heinlein novel of the same name for director Paul Verhoevon, who definitely put his own exciting stamp on things (Neumeier had previously penned Robocop for director Verhoevan). Neumeier also scripted Starship Troopers 2: Hero of the Federation - a cheaply produced sequel using none of the original cast. But finally, Neumeier was given the directing reins as well, and although he could not afford as many bugs as Verhoeven – who may have had relentlessly too many at times – Neumeier has just the right amount of terrifying arachnids to propel a very funny and intelligent script.

The social and political satire only hinted at in the first film has been fully realized in the third, as we watch our fascist future-brethren battle an onslaught of giant, highly evolved insects from outer space.

The story begins with Colonel Johnny Rico (Casper Van Dien), the bug-killing commando from Starship Troopers 1, leading a team to assist Federation troopers on the remote, bug-infested planet OM-1. The human farmers there complain about the authoritarian military presence, however, which is hang-by-neck seditious per Federation rules. Meanwhile, Sky Marshall Anoke (Stephen Hogan), the Federation pop-star/president, arrives with (no less) Rico’s ex-girlfriend Lola Beck (Jolene Blalock), now a sexy spaceship commander, and her imposing new beau, Dix Hauser (Boris Kodjoe), former friend of Rico and now his superior. Before a potential love triangle can heat up, Rico crosses Dix by defending some farmers – only to get arrested for it. But bugs overrun the place and the Sky Marshall barely escapes with Lola and a motley crew – only to crash-land on another, even more dangerous, bug-infested planet. Rico is taken back to earth to hang for treason and, after falling through rigged gallows, is reprieved for a secret mission to rescue the beloved Sky Marshall, whose absence is hidden from the populace.

Space opera? You bet! And Neumeier milks it to the hilt, including an absolutely hilarious (and timely) take-no-prisoner skewering of authoritarian militarism and some nutty characters who protest it -religious fanatics as well as the anti-religious. The beauty of Starship Troopers 3 is that it has a cohesive story structure yet plot turns one cannot predict, enough bug-blasting action and suspense to drive things along, and very smart, well-executed humor. Where many try and most fail, Neumeier simply has the comic director’s touch. The film’s last act builds and builds and, while not revealing what occurs, suffice it to say, it’s absolutely bring-down-the-house funny.

In that regard, the director is aided greatly by Casper Van Dien as Johnny Rico, a charismatic actor with perfectly chiseled, action-figure good looks but graced with a comedian’s understanding of the joke – and the nuanced chops and timing to understate when needed. Neumeier gets fine performances all around. Jolene Blalock, as love (triangle) interest Lola Beck, is hot, (emotionally) bothered, and dangerous. Boris Kodjoe, as Dix Hauser, gives a believable performance as a man torn between his law and his love. British import Stephan Hogan is wonderful as the singing fascist Sky Marshall Anoke, who finally finds God…although “the wrong one,” according to ship-wrecked born-again space stewardess Holly Little (Marnette Patterson) who also turns in a bravura comic performance. Last but not least is the venerable Amanda Donohoe (another great Brit), playing the politically ambitious Admiral Enolo Phid who deliciously schemes for and against everyone else.

Starship Troopers 3: Marauder is not a perfect film – it might have used a little mid-point trimming. But the same can be said about The Dark Knight. After you’ve seen The Dark Knight, go rent ST3 to continue the ride. Unfortunately, Starship Troopers 3 is not being released theatrically in the U.S. (it is in Japan and elsewhere), but it is a film of sufficient originality, intelligence, and entertainment value that we predict a long and loyal following.

READ BUZZINE EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH CASPER VAN DIEN

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