This is another one I liked so darned much that I don’t feel the need to write a lot. The best horror comedy I can think of, and one of my favorite movies of the year. Woody Harrelson is great, and I liked how the rules popped up on screen throughout. Oh, and Bill Murray, fucking priceless. Can’t wait for the sequel!
So I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect from this. When this was in theaters I quickly became sick of seeing the trailer EVERYWHERE, maybe we just went to a lot of movies that month, but as soon as it started I’d start groaning. Not that it looked terrible, it just looked bleh and forgettable.
Yet I went ahead and rented it because of reviews that promised it was a really good, like a dark comedy version of Taxi Driver. I’d agree with that. The movie is much more focused on Seth Rogen’s character then the trailers would lead you to believe. He has a shit-ton of issues, and you basically get to just watch how he deals with them. It’s nothing groundbreaking but I was glad to see it wasn’t just a silly plot driven comedy with lots of cursing (that would be Paul Blart, but with fart jokes instead of cursing).
Some stuff in this movie really made you suspend disbelief, especially the ending when he shoots the guy and then walks him to the police station. He would almost definitely bleed to death, they would have just called an ambulance. But it made for a good moment with the Ray Liotta character so no biggie. Also, the big fight at the end would have landed him in jail for a long time, but he barely seemed to get even a slap on the wrist. Maybe it’s poor writing, or maybe we’re supposed to not give a shit if it’s believable. Maybe it’s all in his fucked up head (though there’s nothing to suggest that).
I waited too long to write this, I don’t remember my specific thoughts after reading, but I do know that I loved it. Heinlein has a solid vision of the future, where citizens must earn their right to vote through non-compulsory military service. In history lessons given within the book, we learn that the democracies of the 20th century collapsed because “people had been led to believe that they could simply vote for whatever they wanted… and get it, without toil, without sweat, without tears.”
This was much more of a political commentary than an action story, though it did have plenty of that. The military of his future is harsh and unforgiving, yet much more free than today. At any time a soldier can quit, he’ll be dishonorably dischared and will never be allowed to enlist again, nor will he ever gain the rights of a citizen. They actually do everything they can to talk Rico and crew out of joining, they only want those who are willing to make it through to the end, though most don’t, but nto for lack of trying.
Aside from the idea of citizenship and a bug war, this is nothing like the movie. The power suits are a huge part of the story yet in the movie they have cheap plastic looking armor. A wasted opportunity, this could be a really excellent film if you stick to the story and themes presented in the novel.
