Written and directed by Duncan Jones, based on the 2000 AD comic of the same name, 19 is a ‘Genetic Infantryman,’ who finds himself the sole survivor of an invasion force. Desperate to track down the traitor who sold him and his comrades out, the super soldier is accompanied by three killed-in-action squad mates, whose personalities have been stored in his gun, helmet and rucksack. Starring: Aneurin Barnard, Jack Lowden, Hayley Atwell, Sean Bean, Jemaine Clement, Asa Butterfield, Daryl McCormack, Matt Berry, Reece Shearsmith, Diane Morgan and Alice Lowe.
Getting the obvious out of the way first yes, the visual style of Rogue Trooper does take a little getting used to. Initially it feels like you’ve stumbled into a video game cut scene and you’re waiting to be able to take control back but, that doesn’t last because the personalities and sense of humour it has to offer, make you let go of that apprehension. Although another slightly surreal experience, even if it does feel somewhat silly to say, is heading into an all-out piece of motion capture sci-fi, action and being immediately hit with a strong range of UK accents, it’s a really refreshing change of pace.
In that sense, the humour is very much a British blend, a lot of sarcasm, a few puns and some deadpan touches. It’s very familiar in a warm, charming way. The writing also manages to avoid one key sci-fi problem which is making the story convoluted, Rogue Trooper is nice and straight forward. You’ve got a hero with one goal and destination, some fun, chatty sidekicks, who meets some unusual strangers along the way, both helpful and unhelpful, making for a grand misadventure on the battlefield.
Not to mention that it’s also filled to the gills with beloved Brits, and very funny ones at that. You can never go wrong with Matt Berry, it doesn’t matter if he’s on the screen for five minutes or fifty, he’s always got something to add and he’s fantastic here. Especially alongside Jemaine Clement, the two make for an odd couple in the best of ways. Aneurin Barnard makes for a terrific lead as 19 a.k.a. Rogue Trooper, and he has a really enjoyable camaraderie with Jack Lowden, Reece Shearsmith and Daryl McCormack.
They’re a great quartet of lads that will absolutely rag on one another, but also do actually care and want to get their arses off the battlefield and back home for a nice cup of tea, another thing that’s slightly strange yet fun to hear in an action, sci-fi flick. Hayley Atwell voicing an amazon of a woman with muscles anyone would envy, definitely does not hurt either.
Ultimately, Rogue Trooper is one of those films that isn’t going to work for everyone, not everyone will be able to get along with the visual style, or the loud sense of humour, but if you’re willing to give it a chance, you can have a good time. It’s classic, easy entertainment and we always need more of that, films where you can simply shut off and enjoy it. It’s filled with a phenomenal voice cast, it’s entertaining, fun and has a charming B-movie vibe. It feels built for the same sort of crowd who enjoy films like The Toxic Avenger or cult 1980s cheesy action flicks, and that was absolutely the right move.
