Welcome to the Mobile Infantry. The Federation's strac force. Earth is united not in some pipe dream democracy but in a Spartan state where the only citizens are the warriors given preference in reproduction.
As the movie opens Johnny Rico (Casper Van Dien), Dizzy Flores (Dina Meyer), Carmen Ibanez (Denise Richards)and Carl Jenkins (Neil Patrick Harris) are finishing up high school. Their teacher Jean Rasczak (Michael Ironside) preaches the value of citizenship in the militarized state. Although Johnny is under Raszack's spell, his primary reason for signing up is to follow his girl friend Carmen who wants to be a pilot. Dizzy the quarterback of the High School's indoor football team signs up to follow Johnny, one of the Ends on the team.
Carl, a genius, gets sent to games and strategies. Carmen is tapped for pilot training; with low scores on aptitude tests, Johnny is sent for a rugged basic training in Mobile Infantry. After some contra-temps in training, Johnny nearly drops out but the enemy of the human race a species of bugs attacks earth and strikes Buenos Aires, Johnny's hometown. Johnny is out for revenge on the entire bug race.
There are some brutal battles on the bug's home planet and at an outpost of the federation on Planet P before the MI captures the brain bug.
The film came out in 1999 two years before the 9-11 attack on NYC. It is interesting to see where the writers correctly gauged the likely reaction and where they failed.
The acting if not stellar is extremely well done. The story line of young people fumbling around with adult responsibilities is credible. The phony newsreels that carry the script along and bring out background material might bring a smile to people old enough to remember Movietone news in the Theatres.
The film is highly recommended. The costuming is excellent with a decided tendency for a German look in the uniforms.
As the movie opens Johnny Rico (Casper Van Dien), Dizzy Flores (Dina Meyer), Carmen Ibanez (Denise Richards)and Carl Jenkins (Neil Patrick Harris) are finishing up high school. Their teacher Jean Rasczak (Michael Ironside) preaches the value of citizenship in the militarized state. Although Johnny is under Raszack's spell, his primary reason for signing up is to follow his girl friend Carmen who wants to be a pilot. Dizzy the quarterback of the High School's indoor football team signs up to follow Johnny, one of the Ends on the team.
Carl, a genius, gets sent to games and strategies. Carmen is tapped for pilot training; with low scores on aptitude tests, Johnny is sent for a rugged basic training in Mobile Infantry. After some contra-temps in training, Johnny nearly drops out but the enemy of the human race a species of bugs attacks earth and strikes Buenos Aires, Johnny's hometown. Johnny is out for revenge on the entire bug race.
There are some brutal battles on the bug's home planet and at an outpost of the federation on Planet P before the MI captures the brain bug.
The film came out in 1999 two years before the 9-11 attack on NYC. It is interesting to see where the writers correctly gauged the likely reaction and where they failed.
The acting if not stellar is extremely well done. The story line of young people fumbling around with adult responsibilities is credible. The phony newsreels that carry the script along and bring out background material might bring a smile to people old enough to remember Movietone news in the Theatres.
The film is highly recommended. The costuming is excellent with a decided tendency for a German look in the uniforms.