Cheap Roughnecks - The Starship Troopers Chronicles - The Tophet Campaign (DVD) (Jay Oliva, Michael Chang, Chris Berkeley, Sam Liu, Alan Caldwell, Sean Song, Audu Paden, David Hartman (III)) Price

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Customer Reviews of Roughnecks - The Starship Troopers Chronicles - The Tophet Campaign

The CGI quality varies from episode to episode as there were two different animation studios involved in the production (Foundation Imaging and Flat Earth Productions). To understand how the two studios were able to collaborate and create one of the best CGI series of all time, this disc has an extensive Technical Commentary track which allows animators from both effects houses to weigh in. There is also a Filmmakers' Commentary to offer perspective from the Columbia/Tristar writers, directors, and the voice actor for my favorite character, T'Phai (voiced by Steve Staley).

So in case you hadn't noticed, I am extremely satisfied with this DVD. The "CHAS" episode (ep. 13 where a cybernetic robot is assigned to the Roughnecks squad) is also a fan favorite which is essential Roughnecks viewing. So what are you waiting for? Go buy this DVD!

More than one enemy
The Roughnecks discover that there are more enemies than bugs in the universe. During their ongoing war against the Arachnids, the Roughnecks spearhead a mission on Tophet, a world populated by seven-foot tall, methane-breathing "Skinnies", a sophisticated alien race. Our heroes are welcomed at first only to discover that the Skinnies are allied with the bugs and laying a trap for SICON. What follows are battles on this firey, volcanic world against the bugs and their allies. In the course of their adventures, the squad must rescue Razak, their leader and Higgins from deep in enemy territory; break in a new squadmate, a huge heavily-armed robot; and escape from a Skinnie prison. Eventually the Roughnecks discover that the Skinnies are being controlled by tiny bugs attached to their necks and are unwitting pawns in the war.
This series of episodes continues to display the first-rate CG animation and story-telling that distinguish the series. These episodes were animated by two different companies (Foundation Imaging and Flat Earth) and while both do a fine job, there is a slight difference in visual style between the two houses that you can notice from episode to episode.
Once again the series adheres more closely to the Heinlein original than the movie giving us the Skinnies first as enemies of Earth and finally as allies; it was great to see Heinlein's creation brought vividly to life. As we learn in the Tesca campaign, one of these aliens will become a valued members of the squad.
Sony has once again stocked this DVD full of extras that you won't find on most other animation releases, including commentary by the episode directors, computer animators, filmographies, and concept art. This DVD is a must for any lover of science fiction or CG animation.

This Show DESERVED A Wider Audience
A long time ago, I grew to accept the fact that all of my friends say I'm too hard on movies.

Having seen thousands of them in my life, I've grown cynical. Sure, I'm largely a sci-fi enthusiast, but I've had to look outside my comfort zone to find new, guilty pleasures. They're increasingly hard-to-find. So, I've accepted the grim reality that there is very little out there left in the land of entertainment for surprise or delight -- like seeing STAR WARS for the first time -- and one DVD is just a flick filling time until the next one comes available for rental or purchase.

Then, along came the ROUGHNECKS ...

This installment, I've already watched three times in under a week.

Call me a geek.

This outing of the Emmy-nominated ROUGHNECKS: STARSHIP TROOPER CHRONICLES only serves further evidence that this show -- utilizing state-of-the-art CGI technology along with highly-stylized fiction -- deserved a wider following that it will hopefully be treated to on DVD.

THE TOPHET CAMPAIGN is years ahead of other CGI-based adventure shows because its premise is a formula that works: action ... and plenty of it. Our heroes, the Roughnecks -- part of a futuristic Mobile Infantry fighting for mankind's survival against a race of sentient killer bugs --, are actually allowed to endure psychological as well as physical challenges, encouraged to face their own personal demons, and continue to grow in each subsequent arc of the overall story. After all, when's the last time 'Captain Planet' learned he might be wrong?

The story unfolds at a frenetic pace: the bugs have taken Tophet, where a race referred to as the Skinnies turn out to be unanticipated allies waiting to lure humanity into a trap. However, NOTHING is what it seems here, and that's perhaps the greatest attribute to the entire ROUGHNECKS series. Despite some story elements that might have been explored or even lifted from other works, the show continued to push its own bar higher, delivering plot twists almost at the same rate the soldiers deliver bullets.

The climax is an almost blockbuster-movie-caliber turn, with the adventure quotient turned up even higher, as Johnny Rico and Dizzy Flores and the rest of the troopers learn that Tophet holds far more secrets than they could've ever imagined.

One spectacular outing after another, THE TOPHET CAMPAIGN can be enjoyed by fans of the STARSHIP TROOPERS movie, general science fiction, or action/adventure enthusiasts alike. It's one DVD well worth the price.