The Grim Cellar

1997, US, Directed by Paul Verhoeven

Colour, Running Time: 129 minutes

DVD, Region 1, Columbia, Video: Anamorphic 1.78:1, Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1

Set in the far future, Earth is under threat from an arachnid-like race that is capable of colonising other planets by releasing ‘asteroids’ into space that carry their seed. Mass recruitment takes place on Earth for military operatives to the point where people are pretty much indoctrinated with the idea that war is good and normal. The film follows Rico in particular who joins up for mobile infantry against his father’s wishes, losing his girlfriend in the process to a strapping pilot. Taking a structure not unlike Kubrick’s Full Metal Jacket the first half of the film deals with introducing us to the arachnid threat plus primary characters, following their training through to war readiness. The second half takes place largely following a devastating alien attack on Earth that forms the catalyst for all out war on the planet Klendathu.

Verhoeven seems to have a knack for creating deliberately glossy, comic book style adult films, contributing several excellent pieces to science fiction along the way, for example Robocop, Total Recall and Starship Troopers. The latter nearly didn’t become the product it was thanks to some terrible special effects work that forced it back for reworks - the resulting effects remain incredible to this day with near perfect examples of compositing and great CG model work/animation. Troopers is a satirical piece and has become all the more poignant in recent years because some of the material here bears uncanny similarity to what we have seen emerging from the political climate in America following 9/11. The propaganda news articles are both funny and strangely reminiscent of reality. As a science fiction film it works really well, the epic and very gory battle sequences being particularly thrilling: my favourite sequence is certainly the Outpost attack which results in one of the greatest battles and close escapes in Sci-fi history in my opinion.

Despite being a fairly early DVD from Columbia Tristar (released in 1998) and having a surprisingly low bitrate the film looks great, Verhoeven and Jost Vacano’s choice of colour schemes coming across vividly. Basil Poledouris composed a sometimes powerful score (occasionally recalling elements of his Robocop soundtrack) and that comes across well. Extras are plentiful; pretty much this is a two disc set but the extra material is placed on side 2 of the disc (i.e. before ‘2 disc…’ became a marketing attraction). Great film and, aside from the very first skimpy UK release, a brilliant DVD in any territory.