Common Sense Media Review
By Charles Cassady Jr.
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Gory, scary, violent sci-fi is too intense for kids.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 17+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Starship Troopers
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 4 parent reviews
Based on 15 kid reviews
Kids say the movie is a mix of entertaining action and intense gore, suitable primarily for older teens due to its violent content and occasional nudity. While some reviewers appreciate its satirical commentary on fascism and militarism, others caution about its graphic nature, making it possibly inappropriate for younger audiences.
- violence
- mature themes
- satire
- age recommendation
- strong imagery
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Robert Heinlein's densely philosophical 1959 novel Starship Troopers, based on the author's own thoughts serving in WWII, blitzed the big screen in this epic science-fiction action. A future Earth's space-colonizing triggers fights with "arachnids," vicious, giant alien bugs whose warfare techniques include bio-generated energy blasts and asteroids hurled by manipulation of gravity. School football hero Johnny Rico (Casper Van Dien) defies his wealthy family to follow girlfriend Carmen (Denise Richards) into the Federal Service, a bug-fighting space military. But ambitious star-pilot Carmen breaks up with Johnny in a humiliating video email, and a fellow cadet gets killed in a training accident on Johnny's watch. Johnny's decision to quit the "Mobile Infantry" changes when arachnids directly attack Earth, flattening his city (and family) with an asteroid. Johnny, Carmen, and others join a dangerous Mobile Infantry assault on the bugs' home planet.
Is It Any Good?
Older teens (whose parents aren't irked by the major gore and minor sex) are likely to enjoy this thrill-ride. By the time STARSHIP TROOPERS premiered, so many popcorn space-alien action-blasts had blazed across screens it seemed this was just another, with a literary basis and expectedly sensational f/x that raised the bar on crafts, creatures, and explosions. But the pace never slackens, and the actors grit their teeth in the fine fashion of stirring old John Wayne wartime propaganda flicks (the Duke never had so much CGI to work with). It's certainly not for everyone, but it has become something of a cult classic, and older teens may be interested.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about sci-fi movies. What is the appeal? Is all the violence and gore here necessary?
Can the war in the film be related to any true-life military conflicts in the headlines? Does the film make younger viewers feel any differently about
the armed forces?
Movie Details
- In theaters : November 7, 1997
- On DVD or streaming : August 11, 2008
- Cast : Casper Van Dien , Clancy Brown , Denise Richards , Jake Busey , Michael Ironside , Neil Patrick Harris
- Director : Paul Verhoeven
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Gay Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Columbia Tristar
- Genre : Science Fiction
- Run time : 130 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate