Starker on 20/7/2022 at 18:23

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Maybe? Not all comedies are meant to be laugh out loud funny. There are many unique brands of comedy, from a dark farcical comedy of errors of Coen brothers to the weird quirkiness of a Wes Anderson movie.

Personally, while I don't like Starship Troopers quite as much as I do Robocop, I think the film still has a lot going for it. Such as the scene of soldiers rejoicing when they learn an alien creature can feel fear. And the scene where the scientist with a differing viewpoint is being ridiculed and made a laughingstock on the media. And there are quite a few more.

I think quite a lot of the propaganda aspects are done rather well, actually -- the scene of children stepping on bugs is not that far off from real life hysteria that happens during war. People in the US destroying cherry trees during WW2 comes to mind. And of course there's the "freedom fries" and many other examples.

Also, I'd argue it being such an overtly dumb action schlock with a naive, soap opera looking cast of characters works in its favour. The "mobile infantry made me the man I am today" line wouldn't work so well, if it didn't completely fly over the head of the main character.

[video=youtube;b07887ZzKiw]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b07887ZzKiw[/video]

EvaUnit02 on 20/7/2022 at 22:54

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I laugh out loud whenever I watch the scene where the malfunctioning ED-209 guns apart the OCP executive.

Starker on 21/7/2022 at 08:16

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The reaction shot is meant more for the audience. Rico just briefly glances at him without much reflection, nary a thought moving in his pretty little head. Part of the horror of the movie is how easily and willingly the characters accept and adapt to the authoritarian militaristic power structures and propaganda and glide over the more horrific aspects of the society.

demagogue on 21/7/2022 at 12:33

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Of course literally that can't be true just 'cause Sulph is on a whole higher level of kink appreciation than I'll ever be able to master ... depending on which kind of sock puppet you meant, I guess. XD

Robocop is an interesting case for me. I know I've seen it, probably even a few times, but unlike most '80s classic fare I can't remember it well. Actually I'm worried about how little is coming back to me. It can't be a good sign. "Dead or alive, you're coming with me", right? I was just thinking back on Enemy Mine, and there's a movie you shouldn't expect to remember much of, but much I still do, but not this...

I guess that means I'm in for a re-watch so I can give a better opinion on this game.

Starker on 21/7/2022 at 19:48

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Okay, I rewatched it, and sure, there is the slightest hint of a pause, I'll give you that. But it's really quite slight -- blink and you miss it. Anyway, other than that, there is really no indication Rico is aware of the larger implications of the society he's living in. He's driven purely by emotion and unquestioningly obeys his orders. Meanwhile, an observant viewer cannot help but notice how close the society hews to many of Eco's 14 characteristics.