20 Years Ago, Starship Troopers Showed Us What Happens When Fascism Wins
Verhoeven himself has vocally affirmed this reading of his misunderstood work. And, for no particular reason in light of our current political climate here in the United Statesin which Neo-Nazis and openly racist conspiracy theorists support a president who has no interest in rebuking or denouncing them, and in which Jewish community centers and cemeteries are enduring a wave of terrorismits worth taking a look back at the film as it turns 20 this year.
All fascism is about Us vs. Them at base. The most insidious regimes encourage this enmity not just toward other states, but toward other citizens. Its in the films second reel, when the young cadets all head off to boot camp, that we get a few more details about who is the Us and who is the Them. Some of Johnnys fellow recruits want to do things like have children or start businessesbut the government regulates all those things and only citizens are allowed, or at least fast-tracked to permission. If you arent out there sacrificing your limbs for the militarys dumb wars, you dont deserve any of societys other benefits. One of the cadets gives a little shrugperhaps the same one you did when they imposed the indoor smoking ban in your state. Thats just the way it is now.
This is the world thats raised Johnny and his friends. The government isnt around to do things like grant newborns the safety of belonging to a state. Its not there to encourage free thought or to support the endeavors of the individual. Its there to fill the ranks of its military and make war. Better get the youth ready for it while theyre young.
https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2017/03/20-years-ago-starship-troopers-showed-us-what-happ.html
rzemanfl
(29,573 posts)Warpy
(111,383 posts)that showed us those attractive, idealistic young folks wanting to do the right thing and had us cheering for them until...
At some point it dawned on us what kind of world they lived in.
I guess conservatives in the audience just never got it.
As for the indoor smoking ban, that's a good thing even though it inconveniences the author. Set fire to that thing outdoors, buster, and we'll get along just fine.
Dallasdem1988
(77 posts)Conservatives got it and loved it. They tour the book as the true and beautiful interpretation of what they want.
JayhawkSD
(3,163 posts)That is not what the book or the movie depicts. The only benefit mentioned as being conferred by government service is the right to vote. And, the government service does not need to be military, it can be administrative or scientific research, as some of "Johnny's" friends do.
In fact, the Johnny's father is a successful and wealthy businessman, unable to vote himself as he has no government service, raising his son as a rather spoiled brat, and is shocked by his son's decision to volunteer for government service.
There is a lengthy dissertation in the kid's school about voting being limited to persons who have served, and why it is done that way; namely that no other system, including the one we use in this nation today, resulted in lasting and stable societies.
NickB79
(19,276 posts)For example, the shower scene where they're discussing why they joined up. One of the women says "I want to have babies." Either she's discussing a benefit (like a permit to have children) or financial compensation to raise a family beyond nonmilitary wages.
Did anyone explain how Johnny's parents became wealthy and had children without having first served as "cannon fodder" for the government?
Paladin
(28,277 posts)I never read the book, but Verhoeven's movie was first-rate. And it created a fair amount of controversy when it came out, for good reason.
Still, you can't fault a flick too much, where Neal Patrick Harris is depicted as a torturer of giant bugs, and enrobed in an SS uniform.....
JayhawkSD
(3,163 posts)And if you read the excellent book, one of Heinlein's best, Verhoeven's movie was utter garbage.
Paladin
(28,277 posts)If you want an indication of my reading habits, take a look at my contributions to the Fiction group, here at DU. And thanks for so vividly proving my point about Heinlein Purists.
JayhawkSD
(3,163 posts)Paladin
(28,277 posts)I suggest we drop the whole matter and move on.
Paladin
(28,277 posts)My favorite Heinlein book is "Have Space Suit-Will Travel." Read it in elementary school, damn near 60 years ago; enjoyed it, if memory serves.
Orrex
(63,234 posts)the film is better.
Fast Walker 52
(7,723 posts)I barely remember it. I know the reviews weren't very favorable at the time.