Last week’s movie, was pretty dumb through and through, but there is a sub-section of movies that isn’t really made any more, at least not as cleverly or subtly, and that’s a type of movie I like to call a “smart-dumb action movie.”

The “smart-dumb action movies” are films (usually from the ‘80s and ‘90s) that seem like the usual brainless blockbuster but actually go over very provocative themes and/or raise interesting philosophical quandaries. 

One of those movies is “Starship Troopers” (1997, directed by Paul Verhoeven). The film itself is based on a 1959 novel by the same name written by Robert A. Heinlein. 

The story is about a future earth set in the year 2197 that is ruled over by paramilitarism fascists called The Federation who are at war with an alien bug race called the Arachnids.

In order to gain citizenship in this new regime one must sign up for at least 2 years of service in the military. With the three branches being the mobile infantry (the standard ground combat soldiers), the fleet (spaceships for transport and airsupport), and military intelligence (in charge of information, and typically recruit psychics.)

That is exactly what Johnny Rico (played by Casper Van Dien), Carman Diaz (Denise Richards), Carl Jenkins (Neil Patrick Harris), three highschool friends do. 

All of which end up in three separate branches in the military. With Johnny going to the mobile infantry, Carman ending up a pilot in the fleet, and Carl, being a psychic, ending up in military intelligence. 

The movie is a tongue-in-cheek satire of fascism, militarism, and war propaganda, some of it subtle, some of it not so much. Which is ironic seeing how the original novel practically glorified militarism and other far right ideas.

One not-so-subtle example would be Fednet, a propaganda channel, listing off current events and news in a cheery tone whenever it involves the federation doing anything successfully, and with anger and sadness whenever something doesn’t go well, like it’s a great tragedy that must be avenged.

Another example is how, anyone suggesting giving peace an option, or that maybe the bugs aren’t just mindless killing machines, are treated with scorn, as cowards, or as idiots. 

The final example one can easily see is Neil Patrick Harris’s character, Carl, who’s part of military intelligence, rocking up in a scene wearing a uniform that looks a lot like a German SS uniform, causing him to look like if Doogie Howser subscribed to fascism, a “Doogie Himler” if you will.

While some more subtle examples would be how the bugs are dehumanized on every level just being seen as “the enemy” something to be feared and destroyed at all costs. 

Another subtle instance is that even though Johnny Rico, the main character, is from Buenos Aires, Argentina, he’s a blond, blue eyed, white man, the very picture of what the Nazis would consider perfection.

To quote director Paul Verhoven from the DVD commentary track, the message of the film is that “War makes fascists of us all.”

But what’s truly great about this movie is that, even with that clever social commentary and satire, it’s still a well done action flick.

There are many great set pieces throughout the film, whether it’s the invasion of the bug home planet, Klendathu, or a small skirmish between the mobile infantry and a large tank-like bug, the action is kept fresh and exciting.

The CGI, while a bit dated, is used cleverly, with it primarily being used when there’s a large swarm of bugs. With animatronics and puppets that still look good being used when there’s only  one or a couple, or when the camera is close.

The characters, while a bit stock and vanilla (which may be the point depending on how one looks at it), are still likable. 

There’s also quite a few side characters who are played by actors that were either relatively well known or would get well known for other roles later on. 

A few examples would be, the previously mentioned Neil Patrick Harris, a military officer played by Dean Norris (Hank from “Breaking Bad”), and Drill sergeant Zim played by Clancy Brown (who was already in the ‘Shawshank Redemption,” but would later on be more well known for his voice talent as Mr. Krabs in “Spongebob Squarepants” and Lex Luthor from the “Superman: The Animated Series.”)

The score is perfect in the movie with it being filled with the right amount of cheese and grandiose, and fitting perfectly with the respective scenes.

It also helps that the movie is just so quotable, with many lines being just cheesy, funny, epic, or a mix of all three to be memorable.

Probably the best part of the film is the FedNet broadcasts that are interspersed throughout the film, not only are they genuinely funny and dark, but are also a clever way to catch up the audience on larger events and set up the world the story is set in.

Although the movie is very clever it still has some mistakes.

While the acting is solid all around, there are a few iffy line reads that probably deserved a second take. With them coming off as stiff or robotic, but again it could be a throwback to those kinds of ‘40s/’50s propaganda films talking about the dangers of communism.

Another flaw, though this purely comes to personal preference, is that while we see plenty of Rico’s time in the mobile infantry and Carman in the fleet, very little to almost nothing is shown of Carl’s time in military intelligence. It could have been interesting to see this seemingly normal highschooler (minus the psychic powers) becoming a jaded strategist.

Despite some very small problems, Starship Troopers is a very clever movie, that masquerades as dumb movie, and is very much worth a check out.