Product Description

Starship Troopers 3: Marauder explodes with mind-blowing man-on-bug combat! Col. Johnny Rico (Casper Van Dien) is back to lead his team on a secret mission to rescue a small crew of troopers stranded on the remote planet of OM-1. Battling bugs, both new and old, the new "Marauder" advanced weapons technology may be their only hope against a treasonous element operating within the Federation itself. As Captain Lola Beck (Jolene Blalock) and the rest of the starship crew fight to survive in the harsh conditions, it begins to dawn on them that something on OM-1 is very, very wrong. This time the bugs have a secret weapon that could destroy humanity. Join the Mobile Infantry in this intergalactic action-packed adventure.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #7683 in DVD
• Brand: SONY PICTURES HOME ENT
• Released on: 2008-08-05
• Rating: R (Restricted)
• Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
• Formats: AC-3, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, DVD, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: English, French, Spanish
• Dubbed in: French
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .25 pounds
• Running time: 105 minutes

Amazon.com
Hewing closer to Paul Verhoeven's original and much-maligned Starship Troopers than the all-brawn-no-brains sequel, Hero of the Federation, Starship Troopers 3: Marauder blends high-power action with a dose of socio-political commentary in its story of gung-ho Marines versus insidious alien bugs. Ed Neumeier, who penned the Verhoeven film, is back as writer and director, as is Casper Van Dien as lantern-jawed hero Johnny Rico. Now a full-fledged colonel, he is dispatched to a planet where the military faces opposition from both the insect army and dissenting citizens. But after a trumped-up murder charge lands him on death row, Rico discovers that he's being sent on a secret mission to rescue a Sky Marshal (Stephen Anouke) who's gone missing deep in bug territory. Neumeier uses the well-worn military movie tropes to launch a satiric assault on all manner of current real world issues, from ultra-patriotism and military torture to religious fundamentalism and even pop culture as propaganda (Anouke's sky marshal is also a chart-topping singer). He lands a fair share of his jabs, and those that fall flat--Marnette Patterson's grating flight attendant--are tempered by sights like a ring of mechanical warrior 'bots forming an angelic halo. Unfortunately, said special effects are not particularly special, with the robots--the Marauders of the title--arriving far too late in the game. But with so many direct-to-DVD genre titles delivering little more than shoot-em-ups and CGI demonstrations, the tinge of black humor that runs through Starship Troopers 3 is appreciated. The disc includes two commentaries, one featuring Neumeier, Van Dien and Jolene Blalock (Enterprise), and the other with Neumeier and producer David Lancaster; a featurette on the new bugs on display in Troopers 3, as well as interviews with the movie's soldiers, round out the extra features. --Paul Gaita

Customer Reviews

Terrible script
The title of this review says it all.

I could overlook the less than good acting, the less than realistic special effects and the blatant Christian proselytizing if this movie had a script that contained believable dialog and situations.

The movie starts out in a fashion much like the original Starship Troopers from 1997, with the somewhat sarcastic faux television/webcast like commercials. There is an exception though, this time the Federation seems even more totalitarian than in 1997's Starship Troopers.

After the faux commericials, we take up action on a farming planet called Roku San, where the Mobile Infantry defends an ungratiful farming colony. Colonel Johnny Rico, reprised by Casper Van Dien, is the commander of the MI troopers at Roku San.

The poor acting and poor special effects start off right off the bat, and it doesn't get better. The bugs are so obviously blue screens, props and very bad computer effects. It really boggles the mind that in 2008 someone would actually put out something with special effects this poorly done.

Casper Van Dien tries only so-so to capture that feel of the original, and Jolene Blalock, as Captian Lola Beck a former friend/lover of Johnny Rico, seem to forget she's not a Vulcan on Enterprise. Her acting was downright emotionless. Then the other star of the movie (I use the term 'star' lightly.) is Boris Kodjoe, who plays General Dix Hauser, the current love interest of Capt. Beck.

The whole plot was illogical and predictable. All I have to do is start with the premise that Sky Marshal Anoke was somehow able to access the power generators on Roku San, thus shutting down the electric fence and letting the bugs into the base. We don't learn this until later in the movie, but it's just a small example of the pure idiocy of the plot, because this fence was critical to the very survival of the colony, so it seem quite illogical that there weren't multiple redundancies and safe guards against someone either accidentally or purposely shutting it down. After all, there was a near insurgent population of farmers on the base.

In the end, this movie lost me with the entirely unbelievable plot and poor dialog. It was due to this that I wasn't able to overlook the bad acting and rotten special effects. Many time I am able to overlook these things with most "B" grade sci-fi, if the plot can suspend disbelief.

Just like the Alien franchise, I hate seeing a potentially good franshise ran into the ground like this.

Campy, Corny, and Fun
STARSHIP TROOPERS 3: MARAUDER is a direct to DVD movie based loosely on a world and characters created by Robert A. Heinlein in his classic sci-fi adventure novel STARSHIP TROOPERS. While this movie is neither high budget nor high art, it is a very entertaining way to spend an evening at home. It is also a MUCH better follow on to the original STARSHIP TROOPERS movie than the simply dreadful second installment.

Casper Van Dien returns as our hero, Johnny Rico. His is joined by STAR TREK veteran Jolene Blalock as the rather well-formed, command pilot, damsel-in-distress. The performances by these two are very enjoyable, and it is good to see them both working again. They are joined by a very able supporting cast, all of whom add to the fun.

The special effects are a bit worn and corny, but overall, they work just fine for the comic book style of the movie. The Bugs are back, still trying to exterminate the humans, and we are trying just as hard to exterminate them back. Tons of explosions, lots of gore, and our hero saves the day. Pretty much what you want in a good, old fashioned "B" movie.

And the best part of all, we finally, finally get what we have been waiting for: the Mech Suits!! They were everything I had always imagined, and more. What took you guys so long??? The mechanized battle suits are what define the Mobile Infantry. Now, Johnny Rico will truly be the hero that Heinlein wrote. STARSHIP TROOPERS 3: MARAUDER is well worth seeing, especially for that reason. Recommended.

It Is a Good Day to Die
My Rating: 3.75 out of 5

The Good Things
*Has a good amount of action and special effects.
*Very good photography.
*Better production quality than "Starship Troopers 2." Sets, props, and costumes are great. Introduces plenty of new gadgets and new alien bugs.
*Remains true to the original concepts and ideas presented in the last films.
*Storyline is good and easy to follow.
*Writing is generally good. The movie has a few good lines (some unintentionally funny).
*Greater insight on the political system (the Citizen's Federation). Much of the movie focuses on the inter-office transactions in the high-ranking sections, so it's more than just a bunch of guys with guns blowing stuff up.
*Interesting themes about religion and politics. Some interesting satire (but still not up to par with the first film).
*Good cast of characters. Acting is passable.
*Music is okay.

The Bad Things
*Probably not for the squeamish. Contains some bloody violence and nudity (but it's not quite as bad as the last two films).
*Despite the slick-looking production value, it's still not up to par with the first film, and can therefore be seen as inferior (I don't think it's too bad, though). Also, some special effects do look a little fake.

"Starship Troopers 2" was completely dull; I was pleased to see that number 3 returned to the basic fundamentals of the first original film. Aside from bringing back Johnny Rico (Casper Van Dien), they've also brought back the battles, the satire, the gung-ho attitude, and consequently, the fun. It expands the franchise a little better too, incorporating more interesting political issues and ideas, and presenting a religious element. It's still not quite up to par with the first movie, but it sure beats the crud out of the second.

The DVD has good video quality. The sound is okay, but seems overdriven and distorted in some parts. It includes a few featurettes. The Blu-Ray has great video quality and okay sound.

If this review has not been helpful, then you are in violation of the Federation's morale, and need to be executed (or rather, leave a comment and tell me how I can improve).