Customer Reviews

Roughnecks - The Starship Troopers Chronicles - The Pluto Campaign [VHS]

5 star:		(45)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

Roughnecks: Starship Trooper Chronicles can be described in so many ways; underappreciated, underpromoted and trapped in the ghetto of early morning TV. Thankfully, it can also be called revolutionary, daring, visually stunning, dynamic, moving, epic and intelligent. During its run on TV it recieved little attention due to its label as a "kiddie cartoon" and its awful timeslot. However, those that did pay attention to it realised they were watching something very special; an animated show with appeal for younger viewers, but that did not talk down to them or dilute the stories in any way. The characters of Roughnecks are very human, men and women who grow and develop as the series moves on and they face and defeat the challenges of living life during war-time. Instead of the gung-ho mockery of the movie, Roughnecks has a frequently somber tone, interspersed with high-octane action and not a little drama. It's brilliant and engrossing stuff, and your DVD or video tape will get plenty of wear and tear.

One can't review the series without mentioning the incredible computer animation. Without a doubt the work done on Roughnecks has blazed a trail for the animators of the future to follow. The visual designs are brilliantly inventive, and the animation work is remarkably realistic. Of particular note are the characters faces, beautifully crafted works of art capable of silently displaying the most complex of emotions. They are the key to the heart of this show, which amidst all the flashes and bangs retains a warmth and humanity lacking from much of todays childrens fare.

Fans of the original Heinlein novel will be pleased to note that the eponymous troopers wear powered armour, though the characterisations and bugs still take their cue from the recent movie (no bad thing in my opinion). Concerned parents will be happy to note that though there is on-screen violence, it is all aimed where it should be, at the bugs.

So, give your eyes, ears and mind a treat and pick up Roughnecks: Starship Trooper Chronicles. You won't regret it.

Roughnecks Ho!

"Roughnecks: Starship Trooper Chronicles" is probably the best science fiction program you have never seen. Due to an improbable series of marketing and scheduling problems, this outstanding show had only a brief run at early morning hours on a few stations. You may not have seen it, but believe me you want to! "Roughnecks" retells and expands Robert Heinlein's story of a group of young recruits facing life in the Mobile Infantry and combat against terrifying alien creatures called the "bugs". Though it borrows from the Paul Verhoven film, this computer animated series is far superior. The computer graphics are exceptional. The ships, bugs, characters, movement and facial expressions are very realistic. The animated series includes the spectacular suborbital drops that are the centerpiece of Heinlein's book. But surprisingly, I was most impressed with the stories and characters. While appropriate for children, the Roughnecks stories are complex and realistic enough to satisfy adults as well. If you love science fiction, computer animation, military stories, or all of the above, this DVD is a must for your collection.

Roughnecks- The Starship Troopers Chronicles is the best Sci-Fi that has ever graced television. A much better adaptation of the Robert A. Heinlein novel than it's live action film predecessor in every way. (Although, purists have and will always complain.) Engaging storylines, wonderful characterization and computer animation- this is a series that will hold it's own for a long time to come. From Pluto to Hydora to a desolate asteroid and back to Earth and few stops on worlds in-between, the series a varied and fast paced. Written more for adults than children, you can expect a higher degree of violence and character introspection than what is normal for an animated series or an any episode of Star Trek. All in all, if you are even just a minor fan the live action movie or just a fan of great television- this series is very much worth your time and money! (It is worth noting that the series was never completed, perhaps it's release on DVD will remedy this.)

Paul Verhoeven must have had second thoughts after making the feature film, this CGI animated series picks up where the film left off. But, it gives it a wonderful dose of the book, which is what most people disliked about the film. Although there are still a lot of elements taken directly from the film, mainly the bugs, and the weaponry is still reminiscent of the film, it is a lot closer to the book (although not completely).

Having said that I sat and watched all 5 episodes of the Pluto Campaign loving the fact I didn't have to sit through any commercials. The animation is brilliant, special effects, starship design, characters, all wonderfully captured in CGI. The stories are well written and very entertaining. After the DVD finished I was just disappointed more episodes of this wonderful series weren't available.

I for one will be keeping my eyes peeled for the next installment of this series to come out on DVD.

Give yourself a treat and get this DVD, wonderful stuff.

The Starship Troopers series is an incredible example of computer generated animation. These aren't the rough characters and cartoonish backgrounds usually associated with the artform. You will not believe the quality until you see it with your own eyes.

Unfortunately the series (not to be confused with the "Starship Troopers" feature film) has been under-promoted and not given the air time it rightfully deserves.

This DVD should correct that fact. This DVD will be a worthwhile addition to the collection of anyone who loves animation or military science fiction.

BE WARNED: The advertising information contained here at Amazon and elsewhere boasts that the DVD release of ROUGHNECKS: STARSHIP TROOPERS CHRONICLES: THE PLUTO CAMPAIGN contains an audio commentary ... there is none. The advertising jacket makes no mention of one, nor is there one included anywhere on the DVD ... so, if you're a conniseur (sp?) of extras, there is very little here.

However, if you're addicted to action, ROUGHNECKS delivers astoundingly well. It's hard to believe that this high quality of CGI was produced for television play, as the level of sophistication easily rivals that of Disney's TOY STORY, A BUG'S LIFE, and MONSTERS, INC.

Five episodes of the CGI animated show are seemlessly edited together into one dynamic movie detailing the almost non-stop adventures of the Roughnecks as they attempt to rid Pluto of a bug infestation ... however, like good science fiction always does, the writers save the best for last, leaving the door wide open for follow-up installments as the television series did.

I kid you not: this is fascinating viewing ESPECIALLY if you were thrilled by Paul Verhoeven's STARSHIP TROOPERS motion picture. Everything about this adventure is that and more. Also, for fans of Fox TV's long-lamented but critically acclaimed SPACE: ABOVE AND BEYOND, ROUGHNECKS admirably fills the void.

OK, I'm going to attempt to write a brief review on each of the Roughnecks campaign DVDs.

First of all the Pluto Campaign sets the mood and establishes the characters. You have the some of the same characters from the live-action film: Johnny Rico, Carmen Ibanez, Zander, Dizzy Florez, Carl Jenkins (the psychic), and Razak. Plus several other characters that are quite good: Doc, Gossard (the squad's mechanic), Brunno, and Higgins (combat photographer).

In the Pluto Campaign, we see the MI (Mobile Infantry) troops fighting what they think is just an infestation on Pluto. However they learn at the very end that it's a full scale invasion. On Pluto we see roughly four different types of bugs. The basic bug arachnid warrior, a flying bug later to be known as Ripplers, Plasma Bugs which are the mobile artillery pieces of the bugs, and the Flamethrower bugs. Basically all the types seen in the movie. The action is pretty much non-stop and true, there's no visibile MI casualties, but that's mainly due to the armored life suits that the MI's now wear. These armored suit protect the troopers from the disembowling that the troops saw in the movie.

The one thing I noticed in this series is how "smart" the military aspect of the show is. For example, there's a chain of command in the squad and the leader barks orders just like a real
CO and they use real squad tactics through-out. ie Flanking maneuvers, diversions, etc.
The computer animation is good, but not great. You will see a lot of digital motion blur when the bugs move. The troopers when not in their armored suits look extremely fake and hookey. If they would have given the same amount of detail to the people as Square did for the Final Fantasy movie, then this truely would have been a great series.

But all in all, if you enjoyed the movie and want to see the on-going adventures of the MI troopers along with some really cool weapon systems and ships, get into the Roughnecks series. I give this campaign 3.5 stars, mainly for the rough animation at this time.

I'm an old Heinlein fan who's read all of his published work at least once, but unlike many other hardcore fans, I wasn't totally disappointed with the movie. This animated series just rocks in it's own right!! I like the choice of hold over elements from the film, but love the adjustments the development team made. The score is top notch, and the action and storyline move at a great pace. My son is at an age where he's fallen in love with watching movies and this one became an instant favorite. I'd never let him watch the Starship Troopers movie because of the gore, but they keep the gore level down and the heros always survive. I hope the powers that control this series see this bevy o' great reviews and get more episodes made. Just direct market them through Amazon. You make 'em, we'll buy 'em! In the meantime, this is a worthy pick-up.

I have been an amateur comic artist for years watching animation mature and evolve my entire life (40+ years choke). It is true to the original Robert Heinlien store where it counts - the esprit d'corps and ethos of the military. This series is the most under-rated, under-PROMOTED, and sadly underwatched animated SCI-FI series in history. It is quiet literally one of the best SCI-FI series yet, easily upthere with Star Trek, Babylon 5, ... The DVD will no doubt be a collectors item.

Here's a series that was so hard to find when it aired that only the most hard core fans were able to find it but Sony has really done everyone a service by releasing this DVD!

The video transfer is EXCELLENT. You can really see the work that went into creating this totally computer generated animated series.

The sound transfer is equally great and this DVD offers more language options then I think I've ever seen on any other DVD let alone one from a television series.

Highly recommended to any fan, any animation fan and especially any fan of CG animation.

Let's hope they continue releasing the series on DVD!