People actually caught the satire. They just didn't think much of it because it was done so ineptly, so hamfistedly that it made the film endearing. (The same is true of Robocop.) -The bugs weren't portrayed as sympathetic or misunderstood. Nothing in the film gave any indication they were anything but a murderous, hostile race. -The worst you can say about the human forces is that they're incompetent in battle; for all the talk of fascism, none of the historical drawbacks of authoritarian societies were shown. The human leader stepped down and was replaced after the disaster on Klethandau instead of clinging to power. Military service was voluntary. Crucial decisions weren't delayed because generals were afraid to wake up Dear Leader. The humans didn't even start the war. (People insist that it was implied that they did, but this isn't actually in the movie.) -Verhoeven wanted to make some biting satire about militaristic jingoism in the late 90s; American culture was neither militaristic nor jingoistic and he was satirizing a strawman. Paul Verhoeven can make a good action movie but he's an artistic hack. The man compared Robocop to Jesus and thought Showgirls was a great flick. The movie is dumb and people like it in spite of the director's intentions, which is funny, but you should really read the book.