The 90s saw the release of a series of science fiction films, some of which are now considered true classics of the genre. The Matrix (1999), which ends the decade, remains one of the most seminal science fiction films ever made, but it was preceded by a number of other important titles. James Cameron Terminator 2: Judgment Day starts the decade strong in 1991, and its groundbreaking effects helped cement it as one of the most acclaimed sequels of all time.
In addition to these seminal works, the 90s saw the release of Independence Day (1996), which was pure popcorn entertainment, just like The Fifth Element (1997), which was much more idiosyncratic. Other notable science fiction films of the decade include Full recall (1990), Stargate (1994), 12 monkeys (1995), Contact (1997), Men in black (1997), and Galaxy Mission (1999). Another science fiction film from the second half of the decade, however, puts the military front and center in what marks an action-packed, satirical adventure.
Starship Troopers features some surprising levels of realism
Paul Verhoeven’s film gets some details right
Former US Army Sergeant Lamont Christian reveals that Starship Troopers
The training camp scene isn’t far from reality, despite the film’s far-future setting. Directed by Paul Verhoeven, the 1997 science fiction film is set in a fascist future in which the human military battles a race of giant alien insects. Although a large part Starship Troopers consists of gooey and bloody war sequences involving these insects, the film also presents an expanded view of boot camp training for members of the Federation of United Citizens’ armed forces.
In a recent video for InsiderChristian breaks down Starship Troopers‘ training camp scenes, explaining that despite the film’s far-future setting, military training is actually quite realistic. According to Cristiano, the fundamentals of military training have remained more or less the same for the last few hundred yearsbut it is technology that evolves.
Although some aspects of the training are correct, Christian disagrees with Clancy Brown’s Sergeant Zim challenging a recruit to a one-on-one fightwhich he highlights has the potential to be very humiliating for the coach. Check out Christian’s analysis below, as well as his score for Starship Troopers of 10:
Now we’re talking about the future, and ironically, the military has the space force now. I often used this way to explain to sergeant candidates when I ran the Drill Sergeant Academy that basic training, or boot camp, will remain largely the same from the past into the future. The training we did for the Revolutionary War using muskets in 1776 was the same training we did in 1966, sending people to Vietnam with the M16 rifle, it’s the same training we’ll do in 2036. The way we train is what changes.
We will still have to take an average citizen and train them to be able to execute the basic fundamentals of goal engagement. You know, breathe properly, get good vision, even if we’re using lasers.
Looking at it, even when I was a drill sergeant, I would never try to hire a trainee. It was one of the reasons. As time went on and I became wiser, I understood that some of the recruits coming in might actually have a skill set that might be better than mine. I mean, you look now, you have UFC fighters, boxers and world class fighters who can join the military. You don’t want to be embarrassed if one of these people shows up and has a lot more skill than you.
I would have to give five [out of 10]. I don’t know if we’ll be in this space, literally and figuratively, in the future, but I would say again, what we train over time, but how we’re able to do that is actually what evolves.
Our Take on Starship Troopers Accuracy
How realism can help science fiction
Clearly, Starship Troopers It does not aim to be completely realistic, but it aims, like all science fiction, to have elements that seem familiar to the audience, even if they take unexpected forms. These familiar elements are often what allow science fiction films to comment on current issues. or help create an emotional response in viewers.
Ultimately, Starship Troopers is satire and is exaggerated in nature as a means of commenting on the dangers of fascism. The precision of its training scenes helps make this theme even clearer, while also giving the audience time to get to know some of the main characters, enhancing later scenes where many of these characters don’t survive.
Source: Insider