Tomorrow night, theaters around Miami will show the '90s so-bad-it's-good classic Starship Troopers - with a little something extra. The folks behind '90s TV show Mystery Science Theater 3000, which featured a human and his robot friends yelling things at cheesy movies, give the same treatment to modern movies under the RiffTrax name, and Starship Troopers is its next victim. The Rifftrax live performance will be broadcast to select theaters on the East Coast, including locations in Miami.
New Times caught up with the star of Starship Troopers, Casper Van Dien, to reminisce about the now-iconic movie and the event dedicated to lampooning it.
What is your fondest memory of filming Starship Troopers?
It was my first real major Hollywood movie. I loved the opportunity to work with the director, writer, producer, and most of the same team that had made RoboCop. I loved having my two and a half year old son come on set, and have all of these people on the crew show him around and encourage me to take all these photos on set that I still have today.
How do you feel about Starship Troopers being the subject of a RiffTrax event?
I was a huge fan of MST3K. It is an honor - I hope I still feel that way after!
To what do you attribute the continued love for Starship Troopers?
I think that Paul Verhoeven (director) and Ed Neumeier (screenplay) are absolute geniuses. The script was amazing. The direction was deliberate in its enhancement of the scribed dark humor/satire, making it as irresistibly fun to make as it is for some to watch. The special and visual effects are some of the best that have ever been done.
You're pretty active on social media nowadays, particularly as @caspervandien on Twitter. Which classic Johnny Rico quote is most often thrown at you on social media or on the street?
I get quite a few: "Come on all you apes, you want to live forever?!," "Kill 'em all!" and "Rico's Roughnecks!"
Let's say someone is on the fence about attending tomorrow's RiffTrax showing. What would you say to convince them to enjoy this unique theater experience?
YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO!
The Federation Needs You!
JOIN NOW!
Service Guarantees Citizenship.
Hell, we're convinced. The RiffTrax event goes live tomorrow, August 15, at 8 p.m. Miami theaters include the Regal South Beach, AMC Aventura, and Miami Lakes 17 Cinemas. Tickets cost $12.50. Visit rifftrax.com.
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