Would you like to know more? Because this week on Born to Watch, we’re diving headfirst into the glorious, bug-splattered madness of Starship Troopers (1997). It’s a movie filled with brain bugs, bad acting (on purpose!), big guns, and a surprising amount of boobs. What more could you want?
Join Whitey, Damo, Dan, and special guest Matty Beer Geek as they break down one of the most misunderstood sci-fi films of all time. Directed by the brilliant Paul Verhoeven (RoboCop, Total Recall), Starship Troopers looked like a dumb space war movie but turned out to be a razor-sharp satire of fascism, propaganda, and military culture. And yet... it still absolutely slaps as a big, loud action film. Talk about having your cake and blowing it up, too.
In true Born to Watch fashion, the crew covers everything from Denise Richards’ wooden performance and Jake Busey’s terrifying grin, to Michael Ironside’s scene-stealing stoicism and the surprisingly progressive co-ed showers. They debate whether Rico is a hero or a himbo, if Carmen is the worst character in sci-fi history, and whether the shower scene would pass the prep test in real life. (Spoiler: Damo wouldn’t last a day.)
Expect big laughs, wild theories, and more 1997 nostalgia than a Blockbuster shelf. We also dive into:
The best bug kills in the film
Why Dizzy deserved better
The enduring genius of Verhoeven’s satirical vision
And how would this movie hit if it came out today
So if you love cult classics, sci-fi chaos, or just want to hear a bunch of Aussie legends tear apart and celebrate a truly bonkers movie, this is the episode for you.
JOIN THE CONVERSATION
Is Starship Troopers a misunderstood masterpiece or fascist propaganda in disguise?
Would you follow Rico into battle or hide in the co-ed showers?
Is this Paul Verhoeven's smartest dumb movie or his dumbest smart one?
Drop us a voicemail at https://www.borntowatch.com.au and be part of the show!
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