Starship Troopers at Revival House Perth
Experience Paul Verhoeven's brilliantly subversive 1997 sci-fi satire that masquerades as a gung-ho space adventure while delivering a razor-sharp critique of militarism and propaganda. When Earth declares war on the alien "bugs" of Klendathu, young Johnny Rico and his high school friends enlist in the Mobile Infantry to do their part for citizenship and glory.
Casper Van Dien leads an ensemble cast of beautiful young actors playing characters who eagerly march toward a meat grinder war, while Verhoeven's wickedly smart direction presents fascist ideals with such enthusiastic perfection that the satire cuts like a blade. Neil Patrick Harris, Denise Richards, and Dina Meyer complete the trio of friends whose idealism crashes against the brutal reality of interstellar warfare.
Verhoeven layers his trademark ultra-violence with pitch-perfect propaganda sequences that would make Leni Riefenstahl proud, creating a film that works simultaneously as thrilling action spectacle and biting political commentary. The groundbreaking creature effects bring the bug warriors to terrifying life while the film's "news broadcasts" deliver exposition with cheerful fascist efficiency.
Based on Robert Heinlein's novel, the film transforms the source material's militaristic themes into a savage indictment of war culture and blind patriotism, asking uncomfortable questions about duty, citizenship, and the price of violence.
Presented on authentic 35mm film for the true cinematic experience!
When: Thursday, October 2nd at 7:45 PM
Where: Revival House Perth
Rating: MA15+ - High impact violence and themes
A bug hunt that's really a mirror - essential viewing that proves the only good satire is a dead serious one. Would you like to know more?