Starship Troopers 3: Marauder

"We, too, seek peace...but by different means." - big bug

release year: 2008
genre: sci-fi/action
viewing setting: home DVD 1/9/23

synopsis: Corporal-turned-Colonel Johnny Rico is back, and gets involved in combat and plots by the insectoid aliens with which mankind is at war.

impressions: This one was much more like the original, with ground and space battles and crash-landed people who require rescue. The CGI of the bugs was a little weak at times - and fires don't burn in space - but there was plenty of blood and gore, and even some gratuitous nudity. Other interesting elements included robotic suits for the select few soldiers to fight in, heavy use of satire. Silly elements included: a general whose behavior was inconsistent and often stupid, heavy-handed insertion of religious themes.

acting: Casper Van Dien is back as the now-veteran soldier in charge of others. Jolene Blalock (looking very much like a lower-budget version of Angelina Jolie, which continues the pattern form the previous movie of using celebrity clones as actors) is a tough pilot. Boris Kodjoe is a general who does some dumb things, intentionally or otherwise. Amanda Donohoe is a tough old admiral. Marnette Patterson is a crash-landing victim who believes that faith alone will save her from the murderous bugs.

final word: Good entertaining sci-fi action with a bit of silliness and a lot of satire.

back to the main review page