Starship Troopers: Traitor of Mars (2017)

Starship Troopers: Traitor of Mars is a brash, lean shot of sci-fi adrenaline that remembers the series’ secret weapon: it’s as interested in militaristic spectacle and propaganda-flecked attitude as it is in blasting bugs. The animation is slick and punchy, built for kinetic set pieces and crunchy combat rhythms, and Casper Van Dien’s Johnny Rico brings a welcome throughline of old-school swagger and weary competence. Beneath the laser fire and power-armor heroics, there’s a satisfyingly cynical edge about how wars get sold and who benefits when panic spreads—served up without slowing the momentum. If you want subtle character drama, this isn’t that kind of movie, but if you’re on the fence for fast, fun, unapologetically pulpy Starship Troopers energy, it delivers.

Starship Troopers: Traitor of Mars is clearly trying to bottle the franchise’s gung-ho bug-splattering energy while nodding at its political satire, and it does deliver a few crunchy action beats for fans who just want more Rico. The problem is it often feels like a lean, workmanlike “extra episode” rather than a must-see movie, with stiff CG animation, flat staging, and a plot that leans heavily on familiar twists and speeches instead of sharp ideas. If you’re coming for the bite and subversion of the 1997 film, this plays more like fan service with a smaller budget and less edge. If you’re happy with straightforward sci-fi combat, some returning voices, and a quick trip back to the Bug War, you’ll probably get what you came for.