STARSHIP TROOPERS 4K BLURAY

I am going to assume that most of you who are reading this want to know about this blueray's contents and technical merits.There are at the time of writing this 4 ways of obtaining this movie on blueray here on Amazon:- the one I own and am reviewing here, call it the "Three Heads" version, apparently produced in 2008, the main feature starts up with the "Tristar"-logo. Starship Troopers [Blu-ray] [1997] [US Import]- the version seen about most often, call it the "Ochre" edition, I own it too and my copy does not have a product date on it, the main feature starts up with the "Buena Vista International"-logo. Starship Troopers [Blu-ray]- the steelbook limited collectors' edition, I have no further info on it. Starship Troopers - Limited Edition Steelbook- the "triple box set" of the three live-action movies in the franchise, which I also do not own. Starship Troopers 1-3 [DVD] [2008]Note that in the Amazon description of the Three Heads version there is talk of it being a DVD. It is NOT a DVD, it is a BlueRay disk.I am going to talk about the Three Heads version and how it differs from the Ochre version.TLDR; if you want to own the movie for the extra's, get the Three Heads, if you don't care about extra's and want a version with more audio and subtitle-options, get the Ochre. The Three heads differs mainly from the Ochre in that it has great menu's, the documentary 'Death from Above', FX- and Storyboard-comparisons and most importantly 2 commentary tracks that are simply a must for anyone who likes this movie.Extra's:The BlueRay features an interactive game which is reasonably fun. There is also a "Fed-Net Mode" where you are presented, during the movie, with a small Picture-in-Picture image of behind the scenes footage and interviews with cast & crew. And although at least a good part of this info is reiterated from some of the other extra's, they are presented here at their relevant moments during the main feature.Aside from the Fed-Net mode there is also the Blu-Wizard mode, where you can select which of the special features footage you want to start running automatically at their respective moments during playback of the main feature. I guess it's similar to the Fed Net mode, but it's presented in full screen, plus you cannot as far I can see watch the Fed Net mode material outside of the Fed Net mode, if that makes sense.Death from above is a pretty exhaustive 30-minute mini-doc on conception, production and all that jazz with interviews with cast and crew. The model-shop is visited, as well as the practical effects shop where the life-sized bugs and gore were created. There are even a few minutes with Denise Richards which is nice, since she's semi-privately stated she did not like the production or the final product.The FX-comparisons are a blast, where you are presented with full screen "raw-footage" of 9 different scenes with a small picture-in-picture bottom-right displaying the final scene as it is in the movie, all synced up.The StoryBoard-comparisons are done in the exact same vein and very nice too, although I would like to know if the SB-drawings we see in the main screen are by the designated SB-artist or buy Mr. Verhoeven himself, who reportedly story-boarded the movie as well, sometimes while on the set.The "scene-deconstruction with Paul Verhoeven" is also done in the same vein, although this time unshaded pre-viz animation replaces the storyboards.Where the extra features shine most however, are in the commentary-tracks. The actors and director track was recorded, if I deduced correctly, in the year 2007. It is clear that all participants are having a blast while sitting in the same room reminiscing anecdotes, jesting with each other and occasionally calling each other out on some event that happened during the shoot. Great stuff for lovers of the story and the characters, though I'd have loved Mr. Busey to have been present as well. The commentary track by Mssrs. Verhoeven & Neumeier caters more to those interested in the backgrounds of the production itself, but lacks not in the fun-department. There are no subtitles for either of the commentary tracksLastly: the often maligned BD-Live functions that were more prevalent in the early days of the medium than they are now. Short story: they don't function for my hardware at least. My guess is that this service has been withdrawn from the servers.Presentation:The menu is simply gorgeous, with a hilarious animation of a warrior bug loosing it's front-palps between sliding doors shutting. The chapter selection menu offers custom bookmarks for your convenience. There is an in-movie menu-bar that lets you jump directly to the special features menu, unlike in the "Ochre" blueray which has atrocious navigation. The chapters are lain out differently between the two versions, so I guess that these were chosen somewhat arbitrarily during the mastering process. I give the Ochre versions a point for putting the credit-roll in a chapter of its own.Technical:Whereas this disk only has Dolby TrueHD 5.1 (tm), I suppose that's the best version to have for those who have a compatible system. I do not have such a system, but never noticed anything wrong or missing with the sound playing through my TV's speakers. The Ochre disk has more sound-options, but lacks TrueHD.Picture-wise both versions feel identical. Subjectively, I had a slightly more "cinematic" feeling with the Three Heads disk, whereas the Ochre one felt a bit more "crispy", if that makes any sense. Again, I think this was subjective. They are fine transfers and the actors even comment on this during the commentary track.Packaging:The version I got from a vendor in Canada has a bilingual front- and back cover and is in a slimline case with a latch for secure closing. As said: the artwork is horrible and seems Photoshopped by a very incompetent 10-year old (at no point in the movie does Carmen Ibanez wear infantry armor). What it does have however is decent art on the reverse side of the cover insert, visible through the translucent blue plastic case when in place.The Ochre Edition only differs positively with:- Movie Showcase: direct links to 3 of the movies most iconic scenes,- end credits have a separate chapter,- Teaser Trailer included (Three Heads has no Starship Troopers trailers at all, why?)- extra audio language: Spanish- extra audio options: 5.1 dolby & 5.1 DTS for all three audio languages- extra subtitles Dutch, Swedish, Norwegian, Denmark, Finland, IcelandConclusion:If you want an as complete an experience as possible but only want to buy the movie once, get this one, the "three heads" bad photoshop cover, as contradictory as that sounds. If you are a true fan, get both the Three Heads and the Ochre, buy an empty dual disk BR case and insert the Ochre artwork over the three heads artwork. There: your personal "Ultimate Edition", at least until the the 25 or 30 year anniversary edition comes out :) (please Denise, give this movie some love when that time comes!)

Starship Troopers is a work of genius.Taken at face value it’s a B movie in the style of Robot Jox. But, in reality, director Paul Verhoeven pulled the ultimate parlour trick: He made us all think it was a ‘normal’ blockbuster movie.In many ways, the biggest victims of Verhoeven’s genius prank were the cast. Casper van Diem probably thinks to this day that he was cast as the square-jawed hero of a big-budget movie on merit. Nothing could be further from the truth! In reality he was the ‘Ken’ in a fictional propaganda movie that put all of the stars’ physical features ahead of any actual acting talent.Starship Troopers is not really an action movie, although it can be viewed that way. What it most definitely is, is the ultimate skewering of the American way, unwittingly paid for by the biggest propaganda machine in the USA, and naively acted out by its beautiful people.Hats off to Verhoeven. To insult one’s host is a dangerous game, but to do it so brilliantly, and for it to take at least 10 years for them to catch on, is total and utter genius. Well done to you sir, and thank you for a movie that has very little to do with what we see, and is all the better for it.

Classic paul verhoeven action packed

For UK collectors, this edition is region free and will play on region B players. The steelbook is one of the best looking yet, however the packaging was flimsy and it arrived dented in 2 places. However this movie has one of the best 4K transfers from an older title that I've seen, alongside the movie being great! Highly recommended if you can get one undamaged.

Starship Troopers was originally a book released in 1959 written by the rather famous sci-fi author Robert A. Heinlein. I haven't read it (getting hold of a copy is difficult) so can't compare it with the film but what I can tell you is the 1998 film adaption brilliant and deeper then the cover or action suggest.The films plot is fairly thin on the surface focusing on Johnny Rico, an athletic star who upon finishing school joins the Troopers to follow the girl of his dreams just before earth is attacked and plunged into war with an alien race known as the Arachnids (or bugs).The film however is surprisingly more than it seems with earth ruled by an apparent military fascist state where if you want to vote, get university scholarship or even have children you have to do a term of service for the federation. This sub plot, full of political satire is a genuinely interesting theme running through the background of what seems to be a mindless action movie at first glance. Throughout the film it cuts to news reels or advertisements run by the state showing live executions of criminals and trying to persuade people to enlist in the federation to gain citizenship.If however you are interested in Starship Troopers for the expected action rather than it's more subtle undertones then this film is more than definitely still for you. Every moment from Rico's training in boot camp right upto fleets of ships and marines invading bug planets is fantastic, often bloody and not without the odd bit of dark humour thrown into the mix with it.The special effects even sixteen years later are still (and I exaggerate not) better than some films that come out today. The ships in space, arachnids running around, particle effects etc are still seriously impressive. I honestly can't believe how good the visuals still are. The soundtrack is equally impressive with it's orchestral military themes during the action down to the school prom music is perfect.Though I love this film to bits though not all of it is perfect. The acting performances are a little campy in places but it kind of works as the film is rather tongue and cheek anyway. There are some good performances though, most notably from Michael Ironside.As a blu-Ray though the film has obviously been enhanced to HD the extras haven't, in ether amount or quality. It features a screen test, some trailers etc that last less then maybe twenty minutes and the quality is abysmal, almost like they took it straight from an old VHS.Essentially though perhaps not the deepest movie, not the best acted or well written but Starship Troopers is a film I have loved for many years and is more than the sum of it's parts.+ Political satire moments are clever.+ Action is outstanding.+ Special effects and soundtrack are hugely impressive still.- Blu-Ray extras are sorely lacking and of poor quality.(Edit: I have since read the book as it's now available on kindle and though some names and scenes are the same they are otherwise radically different)

the film looks and sounds great on blu ray, denise richards looking gorgeous and sold for a great price.

Very entertaining and a great story and great action scenes