Gene Siskel and Rodger Ebert, were two of the most powerful critics in movie history. They could make or break a movie. The Studio's never, ever want that type of power in the hands of critics' ever again.
I don't understand why this movie failed , the story is good and the actors behave like real humans . I love this movie and watch it every time when it's on tv . ^^
I bet part of the reason it failed was because of the over-the-top violence, and most of the people who saw it didn't get that the film was poking fun at military movies.
I had no idea Starship Troopers had such a large action figure line. My dad bought me the yellow and black arachnid bug figure back then (I still have it on top of my fridge). That thing would roar like crazy when you pushed its button. I saw one boxed on eBay for $100 recently.. woah! Very good article, Junkman. Keep em coming =)
I had the smaller toy of that same warrior bug (the one that was about 4 inches tall). I remember finding it in the attic a few years ago when I was visiting my family's place and going through some old junk and it didn't occur to me what it was or where it was from, at least not right away.
This was an awesome film. I loved it. I read that book over and over. Even followed the animated series. But I guess it was so bad, thats why they did sequels. I even have the cosplay costume.
I remember there being some demand for the Carmen figure, because at the time female action figures were "more valuable" than male figures at the time. Someone said it was because there were fewer of them made. (Not sure if there was any truth to that statement, but boys didn't want to play with figures of girls.)
@@warpartyattheoutpost4987 I suspect her scene with Neve Campbell in Wild Things had a lot to do with that! It's just too bad the Carmen figure didn't look much like Denise Richards.
i know very little about starship troopers. but how are you gonna make a movie work if you didnt like the book? let someone who loves the source material do it...if the movie fails so does the toy line
Movie figures fail because. They are in stores months before the commercial / movie. Star Wars was big in 78 Because there was demand... If Kenner had done the modern drop before movie release. They would have failed too.
Take all of the worst elements of 1990s action figure design, mash them together and you end up with those Starship Troopers action figures. The line should have focused on the bugs, not the humans.
Having been raised on Kenner Star Wars, I always expected or wanted the action figures for movies to look like they did in the movies, and for the packaging to have pictures of them on it. Starship Troopers was also released in October when it should have been a summer movie. From a marketing standpoint, a few changes could have made it the PG-13 that it needed to be to recoup its budget and more and reach the younger audience.
I remember how cool the trailer was back then. Well cool for a 13 year old boy. It's an entertaining movie and I enjoyed it. The third Terran level in Starcraft was inspired by the scene in the movie where the bugs swarm the military base.
What do you mean the human action figures didn’t have scale bugs to fight with? The large 12” Warrior Bug was scaled to the action figures. The remote control Hopper (not “Hooper”) Bug scaled pretty well with the action figures as well.
I remember seeing them in stores. I just didn't care for them. By then McFarlane was doing high-detailed stuff that was changing the toy market while getting major retailers to see that it's ok to stock toys aimed at adult collectors. Throw in Star Wars POTF2 that had both kids and adults bulk-buying toys again. Throw in Beast Wars Transformers that kind of sucked but sold anyway thanks to a slick CGI cartoon. It was a case it not mattering if Starship Troopers was any good or not; the competition was massive and simply better.
@that Junkman ''Robert A Heinlein's'' 1959 novel (Starship Troopers) is one of the most influential works of science fiction. ''The Space Marines'' from the movie ''Aliens'' 1986. As well as the (Halo and Doom video game franchise). Or even ''Iron Man's suits'', all owe a great debt to Heinlein's'' 1959 classic sci-fi novel.
I couldn't believe they made toys for kids from this movie! I saw them in Toys R Us and said WTF ?! Movie is a cult classic but NOT for kids! I was mortified when I saw the gore and I was 30 something . Gee-jus. And yes, the book was very different. Mostly... MI does the dyin' ! Fleet just does the flyin" !
I got the large bug, the flying bug, and the drop ship. I never got the figures. No resemblance to the actors. I have to say that the detail on the large bug is great 1 I also am a fan of the franchise and have the CGI animated DVDs. They are pretty good and have varied planets that the war takes place on.
Screw Robert Ebert. No movie he reviews is ever to his liking. On the odd occasion that he claims to have enjoyed a specific movie, he seems to be saying it to appease his audience. He doesn't seem to comprehend certain aspects of cinema. Even if Siskel likes something they're reviewing and explains why, Ebert says that he still doesn't enjoy watching it.
I enjoyed the movie, and was actually considering collecting the figures-- until I found out they didn't make a figure of Doogie Howser's character, then I lost interest. Plus, I always thought that the name Johnny Rico was played by a Hispanic guy- then found out it was Capser Van Dien.
Can u do a Failed Action Figures video on Hasbro's first Jurassic World line? Most of the dinosaurs were terrible and had no proper humans and vehicles.
I never watched this movie. It looks like a fun, action-packed sci-fi film in my opinion. The toys look awful as far as the action figures go. This is just one of those movies that just didn't do well in the action figure market.
The first movie was great, Hero of the Federation is a colossal rip-off of Alien, Maurader is one of my most hated films given that we don't get the Mauraders until the end and it's largely about a group trekking through the desert and learning about God even though the more interesting story was the growing resentment the people were feeling towards the Federation and its tyranny, a story about Rico and the others coming to see the Federation for the tyrants they are and leading a revolution in order to finally end the war would've been far more entertaining, the Animated Films were better, but I still consider the first film and Roughneck Chronicles the best Starship Troopers adaptations
Gene Siskel and Rodger Ebert, were two of the most powerful critics in movie history. They could make or break a movie. The Studio's never, ever want that type of power in the hands of critics' ever again.
When "Starship Troopers" was released I was still in the U.S. Army.
We got it.
I don't understand why this movie failed , the story is good and the actors behave like real humans .
I love this movie and watch it every time when it's on tv . ^^
I bet part of the reason it failed was because of the over-the-top violence, and most of the people who saw it didn't get that the film was poking fun at military movies.
It's always hard for a R-rated movie to be a commercial succss. @@SniffHeinkel
It is nearly impossible convey how epic, awesome and ruckus this movie was in a nice theater upon release
I’d like to know more.
Then do your part.
I had no idea Starship Troopers had such a large action figure line. My dad bought me the yellow and black arachnid bug figure back then (I still have it on top of my fridge). That thing would roar like crazy when you pushed its button. I saw one boxed on eBay for $100 recently.. woah! Very good article, Junkman. Keep em coming =)
I had the smaller toy of that same warrior bug (the one that was about 4 inches tall). I remember finding it in the attic a few years ago when I was visiting my family's place and going through some old junk and it didn't occur to me what it was or where it was from, at least not right away.
This was an awesome film. I loved it. I read that book over and over. Even followed the animated series.
But I guess it was so bad, thats why they did sequels. I even have the cosplay costume.
The remote controlled Drop Ship lived up to its name. I took mine up on the roof of the house, planning on flying it around but that never happened.
I never knew they had action figures for this movie.
I remember there being some demand for the Carmen figure, because at the time female action figures were "more valuable" than male figures at the time. Someone said it was because there were fewer of them made. (Not sure if there was any truth to that statement, but boys didn't want to play with figures of girls.)
Well, there was a lotta demand for Denise Richards' *figure* in the '90s...
LOL
@@warpartyattheoutpost4987 I suspect her scene with Neve Campbell in Wild Things had a lot to do with that! It's just too bad the Carmen figure didn't look much like Denise Richards.
Here in Florida, for me and most my friends, they failed because Kmart didn't have them and our parents only went to toys r us at Christmas time
I scored 3 figures from my uncle for my birthday but only because he grabbed some for himself and knew I'd open his if I didn't have my own
i know very little about starship troopers. but how are you gonna make a movie work if you didnt like the book? let someone who loves the source material do it...if the movie fails so does the toy line
I agree, and the book's a lot better than the movie. I'd like to see an adaptation that matches Heinlein's vision.
The movie has nothing to do with the book. They shouldn't even have called it starship troopers.
Siskel and Ebert remind me of Bert and Ernie
Movie figures fail because. They are in stores months before the commercial / movie.
Star Wars was big in 78 Because there was demand...
If Kenner had done the modern drop before movie release. They would have failed too.
many of lines that are release before the movie are hit figure lines, such as J. Park :)
@@ThatJunkman jurrasic park will always do well with or without movies. Because kids live dinosaurs.
Wow, I have one of those large warrior bugs, had no idea it was worth so much!
That price is boxed
@@ThatJunkman
Still around $70 loose from what I’ve seen
Either way I love it and never planned on getting rid of it!!!!
Ohh the nineties, when JI Joes turned florescent and toys from R rated films were marketed to kids.
Good times.
I never knew of the action figures but did get a set of the micro machines around 2001 at Dollar Tree.
Take all of the worst elements of 1990s action figure design, mash them together and you end up with those Starship Troopers action figures. The line should have focused on the bugs, not the humans.
Enjoyed the book. Was disappointed in movie. However the movie holds up well, when compared to today's movies. Didn't ever know about the toys.
Having been raised on Kenner Star Wars, I always expected or wanted the action figures for movies to look like they did in the movies, and for the packaging to have pictures of them on it.
Starship Troopers was also released in October when it should have been a summer movie. From a marketing standpoint, a few changes could have made it the PG-13 that it needed to be to recoup its budget and more and reach the younger audience.
I remember how cool the trailer was back then. Well cool for a 13 year old boy. It's an entertaining movie and I enjoyed it. The third Terran level in Starcraft was inspired by the scene in the movie where the bugs swarm the military base.
What do you mean the human action figures didn’t have scale bugs to fight with? The large 12” Warrior Bug was scaled to the action figures. The remote control Hopper (not “Hooper”) Bug scaled pretty well with the action figures as well.
I had these junkman
I remember seeing them in stores. I just didn't care for them. By then McFarlane was doing high-detailed stuff that was changing the toy market while getting major retailers to see that it's ok to stock toys aimed at adult collectors. Throw in Star Wars POTF2 that had both kids and adults bulk-buying toys again. Throw in Beast Wars Transformers that kind of sucked but sold anyway thanks to a slick CGI cartoon. It was a case it not mattering if Starship Troopers was any good or not; the competition was massive and simply better.
The main reason said pirate watched this film and a few others around the same time was only for Denise Richards saavvy!
I hated the figures. The micro machine line is cool though
Yup got all the 6 inch figures and bugs.
@that Junkman ''Robert A Heinlein's'' 1959 novel (Starship Troopers) is one of the most influential works of science fiction. ''The Space Marines'' from the movie ''Aliens'' 1986. As well as the (Halo and Doom video game franchise). Or even ''Iron Man's suits'', all owe a great debt to Heinlein's'' 1959 classic sci-fi novel.
These two critics were the same ones who trashed Blade Runner and To Live and Die in L.A. GMAB.
I've never seen it. Never will.
The reaon so few bug toys is due to the only good bug is a dead bug!
Suggestion for a Failed Movie Line: Wing Commander
Do Mauarder Gun Club, next. There us kids could make custom GI JOE, INDY, SJWars rebel Kathleen Kenedy or Golden Girls. If you haven't already.
I couldn't believe they made toys for kids from this movie! I saw them in Toys R Us and said WTF ?! Movie is a cult classic but NOT for kids! I was mortified when I saw the gore and I was 30 something . Gee-jus. And yes, the book was very different. Mostly...
MI does the dyin' ! Fleet just does the flyin" !
I got the large bug, the flying bug, and the drop ship. I never got the figures. No resemblance to the actors. I have to say that the detail on the large bug is great 1 I also am a fan of the franchise and have the CGI animated DVDs. They are pretty good and have varied planets that the war takes place on.
Screw Robert Ebert. No movie he reviews is ever to his liking. On the odd occasion that he claims to have enjoyed a specific movie, he seems to be saying it to appease his audience. He doesn't seem to comprehend certain aspects of cinema. Even if Siskel likes something they're reviewing and explains why, Ebert says that he still doesn't enjoy watching it.
Is this the movie with the co-ed showers?
Yep
I enjoyed the movie, and was actually considering collecting the figures-- until I found out they didn't make a figure of Doogie Howser's character, then I lost interest. Plus, I always thought that the name Johnny Rico was played by a Hispanic guy- then found out it was Capser Van Dien.
Showgirls and starship troopers is a good double feature. Everybody got aids and shit!
Hopper, not Hooper. This isn't a line of Jaws figures.
The movie and animated series was awesome, but the toys not so much
I have to side with Ebert on this one. Needed more satire and less generic bug-alien carnage.
Can u do a Failed Action Figures video on Hasbro's first Jurassic World line? Most of the dinosaurs were terrible and had no proper humans and vehicles.
I did a whole video called jurassic Park toys sucked
I saw this movie when i was in middle school and loved it but those action figures are garbage looking
I never watched this movie. It looks like a fun, action-packed sci-fi film in my opinion. The toys look awful as far as the action figures go. This is just one of those movies that just didn't do well in the action figure market.
The first movie was great, Hero of the Federation is a colossal rip-off of Alien, Maurader is one of my most hated films given that we don't get the Mauraders until the end and it's largely about a group trekking through the desert and learning about God even though the more interesting story was the growing resentment the people were feeling towards the Federation and its tyranny, a story about Rico and the others coming to see the Federation for the tyrants they are and leading a revolution in order to finally end the war would've been far more entertaining, the Animated Films were better, but I still consider the first film and Roughneck Chronicles the best Starship Troopers adaptations
This movie has exceeded the test of time.
That movie was horrible. I vaguely remember the action figures in the mark down bins
3:57
It's HOPPER, not HOOPER!
LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL!!!!!
You ALWAYS screw up the English language!!
Never saw these in Australia...Again
Australia sucks
You talk like youre chewing gristle
Maybe I am