Time seems to deceive us all. It’s amazing how much we miss in our youth, only to gain a new perspective with age and experience. The most striking example of this re-evaluation for me is "Starship Troopers" (1997), Paul Verhoeven's sci-fi action film about humanity's war against a race of giant alien insects, the Arachnids.

With its superficial plot, wooden dialogue, excessive action, and one-dimensional characters, the film struck me as a teenager as merely a silly spectacle of the late '90s. It was a movie for background viewing while intoxicated, requiring no mental effort. However, a renewed interest in it online prompted me to rewatch "Starship Troopers" with fresh eyes. And what a difference it made!

Much like "RoboCop," made a decade earlier, "Starship Troopers" functions perfectly as an action film on a superficial level: absurd, gory, and unashamedly over-the-top. But beneath this veneer lies a surprisingly subtle satire of the military-industrial complex, militaristic governments, manipulative propaganda, and young people caught in the grinder of endless war.

The film is set in the 23rd century, but it quickly becomes clear that this is not a utopian future in the vein of "Star Trek." Humanity is ruled by the United Federation of Citizens (UFC) – a heavily militarized government with overt fascist undertones, controlling public opinion through the media. Citizens have no right to vote unless they have served in the military.

Humanity has begun colonizing the galaxy but encounters a hostile alien race – the Arachnids. These giant, armored spiders are dangerous in close combat but appear stupid and disorganized. However, a news report about humans invading their homeworld quickly devolves into chaos and a bloodbath, demonstrating that the Arachnids were severely underestimated.

The plot returns to the protagonist, Johnny Rico, a typical high school jock – handsome but not particularly bright. His girlfriend Carmen, played by Denise Richards, is clearly an exception. Johnny also has a best friend, Carl, who possesses latent psychic abilities. All three decide to enlist in the army after graduation to become citizens.

Carmen, due to her academic prowess, is assigned to fleet pilots. Carl, with his psychic gifts, is sent to military intelligence. Johnny, like many of the "simpletons," ends up in the Mobile Infantry, where he is trained by a character played by Michael Ironside.

After a live-fire incident that kills one of his comrades, Johnny experiences a crisis of confidence and considers quitting. At this moment, an asteroid crashes into Earth, destroying his hometown and his parents. The asteroid, it turns out, was launched from the Arachnids' homeworld. Driven by a thirst for revenge, Johnny returns to the infantry and heads off to war.

Morale is high, with everyone confident of a swift victory over the Arachnids. However, the bugs prove far more intelligent and prepared than expected, and the invasion turns into the biggest military disaster in history. Rico barely survives and is assigned to a new unit under the command of his former high school teacher, who turns out to be a secret hero played by Michael Ironside.

The rest of the film is an epic war story. Human soldiers gradually adapt to new tactics, fighting smarter and more creatively to overcome the alien threat. The film includes all the expected elements: reconnaissance missions behind enemy lines, deadly ambushes, desperate defenses, the tragic sacrifice of comrades to save others, and, of course, a climactic battle where the three friends reunite in victory.

However, what truly sets "Starship Troopers" apart are the subtle elements of satire and subversive humor sprinkled throughout the film. For example, the deceptively cheerful and optimistic propaganda reels encouraging enlistment, demonizing the enemy, and promising victory. Particularly striking is the use of children in advertisements, portraying the military as something wholesome and carefree.

These broadcasts hint at the brutal and unforgiving society running all this. A world of spaceships and hyperspace travel that still relies on corporal punishment for discipline. A justice system that delivers verdicts in mere hours. A society where people are forced to volunteer for military service to gain the rights and freedoms we take for granted. A pregnancy license is another example of this world's absurdity.

All these elements – anger, personal ambition, or simply the pursuit of a better life – are designed to funnel young people into the giant industrial meat grinder of the army. The results of this are visible throughout the film: the older generation is scarred by past conflicts, yet no one questions it.

The invasion, which began with the asteroid, could have been a false-flag operation staged by the government to initiate war. Rico and his comrades go to war with enthusiasm but are met with the harsh reality of conflict. It's reminiscent of World War I, where human waves were the best military minds of the time could offer. The Mobile Infantry is thrown into battle without air support, armor, or artillery, relying solely on firepower and numerical superiority. Even the starships fly in tight formations, so hitting one causes a chain reaction that destroys several others.

It's interesting that none of the main characters participate in the capture of the alien queen that turns the tide of the war. Yet, they are the ones hailed as heroes. The reason is simple: they are young and attractive, and people respond to such individuals. Rumor has it that Verhoeven deliberately cast actors with attractive looks but without outstanding acting talents to emphasize the film's fake, propagandistic nature.

"Starship Troopers" is a rare film that has improved with age and holds up to multiple viewings. Each time, one can discover a new detail, a new line, or a hint of satire that was previously missed. The film turned out to be far smarter than it was given credit for at the time of its release and remains a relevant piece of satire, given that new generations of young people continue to be drawn into endless conflicts.