Warning.

I have included some screen captures from this film which depict scenes of a violent nature. They may also spoil the plot. Please be aware of this before reading and scrolling down the page. XoD.

Paul Verhoeven's "Starship Troopers" was a biting satire on fascism and a milestone in the sub genre of "creature features". Then there was the odious low budget DTV sequel, "Starship Troopers 2: Hero of the Federation". It suffered from a woefully low budget and poor screenplay. Now we have "Starship Troopers 3 Marauder", written and directed by Edward Neumeier(who wrote the screenplay of the original film)and starring Caspar Van Dien (reprising his role as Johnny Rico). The film will be released, again direct to video, on 5th August in the US and 29th September in the UK.

Well to start with, this film is low budget. It appears to be a a US/South African co-production and it's the financial restraints that seem to be the movie's weak spot. The CGI ranges from adequate to poor and this unfortunately spoils the over all package. The marauders of the tile only appear on screen at the end for a few minutes and the bugs seem to lack physical detail. Despite 11 years of software advances, the work done by Sony Imaging on the original is still streets ahead.

But what this film does have is a very tongue in cheek screenplay. Caspar van Dien throws himself back into character and picks up exactly where he left previously. We still have the "Fed Net" adverts and a lot of amusing if heavy handed criticism of contemporary US politics and fundamentalist religion. The story involving mind control, peace movements, bogus public figures, Christianity, and the ongoing bug war is very enthusiastic and rolls along a fast pace. This film certainly tries. 80's Brit screen queen, Amanda Donohoe makes an appearance as the scheming Admiral. Ex "Enterprise" star, Jolene Blalock, plays the feisty female lead (with really bad collagen injected lips!) and Stephen Hogan is the deranged Sky Marshall Anoke (oh, there's a change, another bad guy played by a British actor).

For fans expecting a big budget direct continuation of the original film, well this is not it Let's face it that was never going to happen. What you do get is a rather amusing and creative low budget add on, which despite it's clichéd nature, tries to provide an inventive plot and entertaining 100 minutes. Yes there are failings. The religious symbolism is heavily laboured towards the end and the the climax a little lacklustre. It has it's moments of gore, but is not as excessive as the first film. But despite these shortcomings, I enjoyed this cinematic outing because it's heart was in the right place. You can't say that about many films these days.

Brain bugs have unpleasant telepathic powers.

Mega brain bug.

The "marauders" of the title.

XoD.