You might not be aware Verhoeven never read the book. Have you? I think it's unrealistic to suggest Verhoeven had anything subtle in mind. He had a line he

You might not be aware Verhoeven never read the book. Have you? I think it's unrealistic to suggest Verhoeven had anything subtle in mind. He had a line he wanted to spout, and he did it. I've always thought about it like the Giant Spider: https://www.theringer.com/movies/2019/6/28/18761548/wild-wild-west-will-smith-20th-anniversary https://www.theringer.com/movies/2019/6/28/18761548/wild-wil... Director wanted a thing, and the subject matter fit was irrelevant. shrug. I call it "Bug Wars", and as such it's a well animated B movie.