Helldivers 2 Success Spurs Renewed Interest in Paul Verhoeven's Misunderstood Sci-Fi Satire Starship Troopers
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Helldivers 2 is having a breakout moment, beating Steam records and causing a renewed interest in its clear inspiration - the 1997 film Starship Troopers.
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Starship Troopers is a loose adaptation of a 1959 sci-fi novel, but director Paul Verhoeven deliberately satirized the book's militaristic themes.
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However, many critics at the time misunderstood Verhoeven's intent and wrongly accused the film of being pro-fascist.
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Verhoeven grew up under Nazi occupation in WWII Holland, so he wanted to criticize fascist ideology from personal experience.
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With its over-the-top action and anti-fascist commentary, Starship Troopers remains a highly relevant, classic sci-fi film worth revisiting.