"Starship Troopers" is a 1997 American military science fiction action film directed by Paul Verhoeven, based on the 1959 novel of the same name by Robert A. Heinlein. The film is set in a future where humanity is engaged in a war against a species of giant insectoid aliens known as the Arachnids or "Bugs."
The story follows a young soldier named Johnny Rico, played by Casper Van Dien, as he joins the Mobile Infantry to fight against the Arachnid threat. Alongside his friends Carmen Ibanez (played by Denise Richards) and Carl Jenkins (played by Neil Patrick Harris), Rico undergoes rigorous training before being deployed to battlefronts across the galaxy.
As the war escalates, Rico and his comrades face increasingly dangerous encounters with the Bugs, including massive battles and gruesome casualties. The film explores themes of militarism, propaganda, and the nature of citizenship, as well as the moral complexities of war.
"Starship Troopers" received mixed reviews upon its release but has since gained a cult following for its satirical take on military culture and its over-the-top action sequences. Despite its initial reception, the film has been praised for its impressive visual effects and its subversive commentary on fascism and authoritarianism.