This critic liked the “Stripes” film stored away in his nostalgia circuits better than the one he just watched for the first time in nearly 30 years.
Bill Murray stood at the height of his comic powers back in 1981, fresh from a successful run on “Saturday Night Live” and heartened by the reception to his throwaway teen comedy “Meatballs.”
He was King of the World, all right, and he could carry a film with precious few laughs built into the premise.
Yes, “Stripes” boasts a few iconic moments, like Murray barking, “that’s the fact, Jack” at the end of an inspired drill routine. But the jokes are few, the story scatter-shot and the ending seems like an afterthought rather than part of a cohesive whole.
Murray stars as John who, in the course of one day, loses his job, his girlfriend, his car and his place in society.
So why not sign up for the Armed Forces for three square meals a day and the chance for adventure?
He convinces his pal, Russell (Harold Ramis), to join in. The men instantly regret their decision when they meet Sgt. Hulka (Warren Oates), your standard issue tyrant.
What follows is formula Murray – the anarchist rebels against the system only to embrace it on his own terms by the final reel.
On the surface, “Stripes” hasn’t aged badly. Sure, the fashions and music sense (someone wears a “Death Before Disco” shirt) are rooted firmly in the era. But the gags and sensibilities could play out today – with the significant wrinkle being modern enlistees might find themselves in Iraq or Afghanistan.
But the supporting players are one-dimensional save for the great John Candy, and the script plods along until Murray explodes in another fit of comic fury.
It’s a slacker fantasy film, one in which the anti-hero doesn’t have to follow the Man’s bidding but gets his just desserts all the same – the girl and the glory.
“Stripes” served its purpose during its initial release – certifying Murray as a gold-plated star and giving the film canon another Army comedy to stand alongside “Buck Privates,” “Private Benjamin” and its ilk.
Seen today, the film delivers a few classic moments and a heaping helping of filler.
(Photo: Bill Murray, center, leads a band of ragtag soldiers in the military comedy “Stripes.”)
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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
The film also showcased a lot of Second City talent.
Stripes still holds up for me. As stupid as this sounds Stripes is a more patriotic movie and shows the military in better light than any movie put out about the military and it’s soldiers in the past ten years.
I would argue that Sgt. Hulka wasn’t a one dimensional character. Indeed, it was somewhat surprising to see a career military man not depicted as an utter fool or dangerous maniac. You sure don’t see that in today’s movies.
“Stripes” is pretty funny. John Candy steals every scene he’s in.
Hulka is portrayed as the resident drill sergeant oaf until the bathroom scene, where he thoroughly dissects Murray’s character and what he’s all about. The film turns on that whole moment, where John is suddenly faced with what he is, and what’s worse, he knows the sergeant is right.
Good point, JohnFN, and for the record I didn’t think Hulka was a monster at all even before then … Murray’s character needed a swift kick, and Hulka was the man for the mission.
I think John Candy was splendid in all his movies, a great loss to cinema. But Bill Murray is an exceptional actor. I thought Stripes was a pretty good movie, but nowhere near his best.