Starship Troopers 3: Marauder (2008) starring Casper Van Dien, Jolene Blalock, Stephen Hogan, Boris Kodjoe, Amanda Donohoe directed by Edward Neumeier Movie Review

Starship Troopers 3: Marauder (2008)   3/53/53/53/53/5


Casper Van Dien in Starship Troopers 3: Marauder (2008)

Ban the Bug Bomb

There are those who have and there are those who haven't and those who haven't will probably hate "Starship Troopers 3: Marauder". What I am on about is "Starship Troopers 2: Hero of the Federation" probably the worst sequel in the history of movie sequels, failing to recreate pretty much everything which made the original "Starship Troppers" entertaining. It is why I and many others approached "Starship Troopers 3: Marauder" with a lot of uncertainty as surely it couldn't get any worse and it is probably why I and others who encountered the first sequel actually appreciate this as being okay where as those who didn't will see it a cheesy sci-fi, comedy.

The never ending war against the Bugs carries on with civil unrest as many don't believe in the war and face execution from the fascist Federation for disagreeing. When a Federation starship carrying the popular Sky Marshal Omar Anoke (Stephen Hogan) and Captain Lola Beck (Jolene Blalock) crash lands on a Bug infested planet Gen. Dix Hauser (Boris Kodjoe) recruits Johnny Rico (Casper Van Dien) to lead a team on a daring rescue mission.

Jolene Blalock in Starship Troopers 3: Marauder (2008)

These are the things which were entertaining about the original "Starship Troopers"; it had amusingly memorable characters, political satire, cheesy b-movie comedy and over the top action along with some other things. Most of those things were lacking in "Starship Troopers 2" but most of them are thankfully back in "Starship Troopers 3" and so is Casper Van Dien as Johnny Rico. Just Van Dien's presence helps this third movie no end as he returns to his gung-ho characters and whilst it would have been great to see some other faces return you have to be grateful for small mercies.

But right from the get go it captures the spirit of the original movie delivering the corny infomercial full of political satire. Watching "Starship Troopers 3" the political side is very obvious to see and in truth there is little attempt to disguise things but you know 20 years down the line this side of things will probably be lost on audiences. Although as well as political satire it also dares to take on religion as well in the same less than subtle, often comical way.

But don't worry because "Starship Troopers 3" isn't deep it is just a fun movie which revels in being cheesy, from the budget limited special effects to the characters and the dialogue. It is shall we say simple entertainment, hot looking chicks, people blowing up bugs, needless nudity and a lot of other nonsense which is perfect for a Friday night beer and pizza session. Even with the addition of Amanda Donohoe to the cast as Admiral Enolo Phid, wow that's a clever never, you can't really say the acting is up to much other than they all look like they are having fun.

What this all boils down to is that "Starship Troopers 3" is a 100 times better than "Starship Troopers 2" and whilst not as good as the original gets close to being as entertaining. It manages to capture much of the humour and satire which made the original so entertaining and that is what makes it work rather than the actual action and story.


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