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Knockback, Episode 280 | Starship Troopers (Book + Film)
🕑 Added 2024-03-03 17:00:13 +0000 UTCWith all of the hullabaloo surrounding Arrowhead's hit PS5 and PC game Helldivers 2, we figured we'd delve into its most obvious inspiration: Starship Troopers. Most people know Starship Troopers as the 1997 Paul Verhoeven sci-fi flick, but it's actually much more than that. It all started as an award-winning novel written back in 1959 by an author named Robert Heinlein, and strangely, the film and book couldn't possibly be more different in many respects. But because the book (which is awesome) is a quick read, and the film (which is good, but not nearly as good as the book) is comparatively short, too, so we figured we'd digest both, take lots of notes, and compare and contrast the two. The result is an interesting conversation, one that asks questions like: Is the book really fascist-aligned, as often claimed? Are the bugs the victims of human aggression, and could we ever come to terms with such a race? Does the idea of earning one's citizenship actually not sound that crazy, after all? Could every human have a deathwish, deep down inside? Clearly, we've much to discuss.
Comments
David Seger
Colin liking the right wing political commentary of the book and missing the point of the left wing commentary of that in the movie is the most on brand colin podcast I have listened to in a while
Nikitas Gagas
How I love this movie. It’s “Saved by the Bell” meets “Aliens”. On paper that sounds terrible but the mad artist, Verhoeven, created a classic sci-fi, gore soaked, satire out of it.
Ahlickaloo
Awesome episode! I’m compelled to read the book now
Glen Yelenovic
Daegan walked into a buzz saw saying to Colin we shouldn’t have dropped the A-bombs. They both need to watch Oppenheimer for different reasons
Beryllium boy
I’m from Buenos Aires and I say kill em’ all
Devon McCarty
Dizzy, Triss, and Tifa. Real ones always know.
Michael Mashpotato
Hey Dagan, I know you don’t like to park next to anyone and I am in no way manifesting this but if you ever get a door ding or dent I will fix it for you absolutely free. I’m in Allentown. This goes for any last stand member.
PRETENTIEUX
That's good because Richards is a man.
Michael Thew
Some would say that the Earth is our moon. But that would belittle the name of our moon, which is: The Moon.
Jimmy Jo
The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress is my favorite Heinlein book by far. Audiobook free on YouTube.
Baden Ronie
That's so interesting! I never knew that, and it explains a lot.
Namistai25
I am doing my part...
Jared R
To add some context, the movie was basically an unrelated script that got rejected. It was already a satirical bug-killing movie called Bug Hunt at Outpost 7. They then got the rights to Starship Troopers and retroactively changed some things to match the book to make it an easier sell. It was never a direct adaptation so to speak.
Mr Peter Banks
Looking forward to listening to this one. Knockback is my favorite show on last stand media.
Colin Moriarty
Can’t wait to listen. Just read the book a couple weeks ago and am curious what you guys think. I loved both but honestly I feel like the movie kinda disrespects the book’s message.
Matthew Guilford
I have been waiting my entire life for this episode! Glad I have a long drive home from work to listen to it! Let’s step on some cockroaches!
Zeke the Plumber
Team Dizzy all the way
Noah Friscopp
The animated ST movies (guilty pleasures) have more of the specific elements of the Mobile Infantry in the book like the power armor and such. But portrays the bugs as they were in this movie.
Andrew Morgan
Finally.
Jeff in NOLA
FUCK yes
Shaun Sannerude
Good timing, now literally watching the film
