Here’s an informative video from Cinefix that breaks down the differences between Robert Heinlein’s 1954 book Starship Troopers and the 1997 Paul Verhoeven-directed film, this is the video for diehard Starship Troopers fans like myself.
If you’re familiar with the book then you know the film is very different in a lot of ways. The one thing that continues consistently is the basic plot that follows a kid who defies his rich parents’ wishes for him to go to college and rather joins the Federation to fight bugs.
The video came with the following note:
Paul Verhoeven’s sneaky brilliant satirical bloodbath is becoming more and more relevant by the day. So it’s time to take a look at Robert Heinlein’s landmark novel written 40 years prior to Casper Van Dien turning bugs into goop on screen. Time to join the fight and ask What’s the Difference?