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.
