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, a sense that the director expressed contempt for his audience---that he was mocking us.
Most of his American movies are satirical, that's true, and satire often does have its own audience as at least one of its targets. But I have not seen any evidence on screen or in person that Verhoeven feels anything like contempt for his audience--perhaps for some of his characters.
When SHOWGIRLS swept the Razzies--speaking of contempt--Verhoeven surprised the committee by showing up in person to accept the awards. He apologized to his leading lady, and said he didn't want to make a bad movie, but apparently he did. He didn't have to do this; no other Razzie "winner" ever showed up (Halle Berry did later). Since you seem to have made up your mind, it's probably impossible for me to actually assure you that Verhoeven is anything but insincere, and definitely does not hold his audiences in contempt.
But STARSHIP TROOPERS was intended to be funny, at least much of the time. Yes, it's excessive, but Verhoeven embraces excess.