ROUGHNECKS: STARSHIP TROOPERS CHRONICLES is an animated TV show based upon the novel by Robert Heinlein that incorporates many of the elements from the novel as well as Columbia Tristar’s 1997 blockbuster STARSHIP TROOPERS. This show is a co-production between Paul Voerhoven and Sony Tristar Television. ROUGHNECKS: STARSHIP TROOPERS CHRONICLES is completely done with advanced computer animation provided by Foundation Imaging, Flat Earth Productions, Rainbow Studios, and HyperImage. Fully animated science fiction shows are not new, but this series pushes the boundaries of Saturday morning programming. This series initially played on the Sci-Fi Channel at about 6:00 a.m., so very few have actually seen it. Columbia Tristar has seamlessly edited the first five episodes of ROUGHNECKS: STARSHIP TROOPERS CHRONICLES into one 97 minute feature dubbed THE PLUTO CAMPAIGN on their first DVD release.

ROUGHNECKS: STARSHIP TROOPERS CHRONICLES follows the continuing adventures of the space marine outfit, Razak’s Roughnecks, and the ongoing war with the mysterious Bug legion. The main protagonist is rookie Starship Trooper Jonny Rico. He has a brother/sister relationship with fellow Trooper Dizzy Flores. They are joined by psychic soldier Jenkins, and rookie war correspondent, Higgins. There is a medic on the team named Doc LaCroix. The gung-ho member of the Roughnecks is Gossard. The team is commanded by the hard-nosed Lieutenant Razak. His second in command is Sgt. Bruto. The Roughnecks are often assisted by fighter pilot Carmen Ibanez, who is also the object of Jonny Rico’s affections. A command organization called S.I.C.O.N provide the Roughnecks crew with military intelligence (that is usually wrong) to achieve success on their Bug-raiding missions. The Roughnecks are armed with the latest high-tech weaponry and equipment, and often rely on fighter planes for backup or retrieval.

Freefall

Not long after military forces from Earth think they've defeated an alien Bug infestation on Pluto, the insects return and threaten our scientific outposts. Mobile Infantry forces are sent back to Pluto for what is believed to be a little mop-up mission. Rookie Troopers Johnny Rico, Dizzy Flores, and Carl Jenkins make their first military drop with "Razak's Roughnecks," an M.I. squad let by Lt. Razak, a legendary soldier known for his heroism. Shortly after they arrive, the Roughnecks discover that this is not just a simple hit and run mission ... but the first battle of what's to become the a major interstellar war.

Plasma Bugs of Navarone

Carmen and Zander are trapped in a scientific research outpost on Pluto when their Retrieval ship is shot down by Plasma Bugs. Razak's Roughnecks pick up a distress call from Carmen, and set out to locate the Plasma Bug Cave and destroy the insects. Rico is driven by the need to be Carmen's rescuer, risking his own life and the safety of his squad but when the mission is over, Carmen is unaware that Rico is ultimately responsible for her rescue.

Handle With Care

S.I.C.O.N. decides to send the Roughnecks on a special mission: bring back a live Plasma Bug from behind enemy lines. Along with an uptight Ivy-league Intelligence officer named Lieutenant Earle Walker, the Roughnecks must transport the bug through rough terrain; meanwhile, plasma reserves have reached critical mass inside the bug, and any impact could cause it to explode. Lt. Razak is forced to take orders from the ego-driven Walker, who is willing to risk lives for the sake of this bug. This causes Rico to question whether Razak has lost his nerve or his pride. In the end, despite Walker's threats, Razak decides to save losing M.I. forces on Pluto by bombing the enemy with the Plasma Bug. And Rico learns a valuable lesson about putting duty over ego.

Basic Training

When Higgins' actions during a battle compromises the safety of the Roughnecks, Lt. Razak wants to have him shipped back to Earth. But after Rico stands up for him, Lt. Razak comes up with a better solution – Rico must train Higgins and turn him into an efficient solider. Easier said than done, however. Meanwhile, the Roughnecks must rescue a Demolition Squad trapped in a canyon by a Warrior Bug ambush. But when they arrive, the Roughnecks suddenly come under attack by a bug no one's seen before -- the flying hopper, armed with a razor-sharp stinger. Laser weapons don't seem to work on these bugs, and eventually the Roughnecks discover the Hoppers actually absorb the laser energy, growing stronger.

Deep Trouble

The Roughnecks are one of several squads sent beneath the surface of the planet to locate and destroy the source of the bug army, called "Bug City". The Roughnecks travel deep into bug tunnels, and Dizzy winds up suffering from extreme claustrophobia, which puts the entire squad at risk during numerous bug attacks. Eventually, Carl places a hypnotic suggestion in Dizzy's subconscious, curing her of her phobia. The Roughnecks finally emerge back on the surface of Pluto, inside a massive asteroid crater filled with bug eggs that have already hatched. Then, the Roughnecks witness the arrival of a Transport Bug, which lays more eggs and drops off hundreds of Adult Bugs -- leading to the revelation that the Bugs are not native to Pluto, and the S.I.C.O.N. forces are no longer facing a simple infestation, but a full-fledged war.

The first episode is basically an encapsulated version of Paul Verhoeven’s feature-length film, that introduces the characters and the war-like situation these people find themselves in. Most of the Paul Verhoeven-isms have been stripped from the proceedings including the graphic violence and dark satire. ROUGHNECKS: STARSHIP TROOPERS CHRONICLES has a more family-oriented format. There is still a lot of violence however, but the show does not properly depict the horrors of war. The invading bugs don’t get to kill a whole lot of soldiers. The violence stems from the Roughnecks assaulting the Bugs with guns, grenades, and tanks, until the insects are reduced to mere green goo. It’s all one-sided affair without the humans having any casualties--just like in a video game. But many story elements (and even the acting) are better than the theatrical feature. ROUGHNECKS: STARSHIP TROOPERS CHRONICLES digs deeper into the Heinlein cannon than did Verhoeven’s film. For instance, several of the military personnel wear transportable combat armor like in the book, something that was lacking in the feature. The characters are more fleshed out than in the movie. My main complaint with Paul Verhoeven’s film is the casting and BEVERLY HILLS 90810 approach to acting (when the best actor in the picture is Michael Ironside, you know something’s afoul). The human element to the series is lacking just as the movie was, but the synthetic acting in the show is better than that of the feature!

From the Special Features menu you can view 33 pictures in the Photo Gallery. These pictures consist of character designs, technical schematics, and alien bugs drawings. There is also theatrical trailers for other kid-friendly fare, such as GODZILLA 2000 (FF, 1:34, DD 5.1), KARATE KID PART III (FF, 1:33, DD 2.0), LABYRINTH (FF, 1:32, DD 2.0), 3 NINJAS KNUCKLE UP (FF, 1:52, DD 2.0), and THE DARK CRYSTAL (FF, 2:17, DD 2.0).

-  Phil Chandler