I know it has been sometime since I was last in this place. Much like the rest of you, I winced at the thought of one of my beloved Heinlein books being butchered by Hollywood. I wasn't going to go see until a friend of mine offered to take me using his two free passes. It was free so I thought what the hell?
But I bring you good news. I saw "Starship Troopers" tonight (sneak preview) and it was actually good. And as true to the book as Hollywood gets. Plus other things.
I know what you going to say, "But Rod, what about the Marauder armor?" Think Hollywood and be visual. The Marauder armor faceplates would get in the way of recognizing who just died.
War in this movie is not nice. This film is one of the bloodiest war movies I have ever seen. The body count and credit loss in men and machines is very high. It is not for children or those with weak stomachs. But it isn't a splatter-gore film either. If you go and see the movie, you will know what I mean.
As for book to movie, Federal Service is voluntary and a lot of the high points of the book are included in the film. The scene with the skinnies is not.
I won't say anymore about the story except that you go and see the movie.