Starship Troopers (1997)
This wonderful sly satire of war movies is based very loosely on Robert A. Heinlein’s novel. In the fascist future pretty but dumb brainwashed teenagers (played by people in their 20s and 30s) sign up to wage an unending war against the bugs. Rico (Casper Van Dien and his scary square jaw) is loved by Diz (Dina Meyer) but he is obsessed with the slut Carmen (Denise Richards). The not very bright Rico’s friends include loudmouth Ace (Jake Busey) and the psychic Carl (Neil Patrick Harris). Rico’s mentor is Rasczak (Michael Ironside) and his love foe who steals Carmen is the noxious Zander (Patrick Muldoon).
The Federation plans a massive (and inept) assault on the bug home world, Klendathu. Along the way we get death, Diz stalking the dim Rico until he loves her, death, goo, humour, bug attacks and the Federation showing they have no concept of tactics, an exit strategy or even first aid. This brilliant parody film and it's War Is Awesome theme has propaganda, war, slightly ropey SFX and Clancy Brown, Rue McClanahan, Brenda Strong and Dean Norris have small roles. This excellent movie was followed by several inferior sequels.
Best Lines:
“Fresh meat for the grinder.”
“I think I got what it takes to be a citizen.”
“Good for you. Go find out.”
“A fully automatic Beretta. Who wants to hold it?”
“Mormon extremists disregarded Federal warnings and established Fort Joe Smith deep inside the Arachnid Quarantine Zone.”
“Most of you will not live to be in the Mobile Infantry.”
“You think that you can lick my navs?”
“Buenos Aires has been wiped off the Earth.”
“Here’s the beer!”
“Pick up the General.”