Stripes (1981)

Ah. The wit of Ivan Reitman. There aren't many reasons to like the Eighties, but Reitman and his team is such a reason.

The misanthropy of Bill Murray is as good as ever through the first hour of the movie. His carelessness, cynicism and utter lack of self-respect (not to mention respect of others) is spot on and Harold Ramis as his enabler is as good as he always was in these parts (he had quite a few). Look at Trey Parker and Matt Stone in some of their pre-episode scenes and see if you can't spot a few things they've taken from this flick.

Generally, there is a lot of comedic talent here, with Judd Reynolds, John Larroquette, John Candy and Sean Young and most of them are funny. As far as drill sergeants there is really only one, but Warren Oates is not at all a bad match to Murray's antics.

As this is an eighties-comedy, naturally there are titties galore. Strange that... there were more breasts in comedies 30 years ago than now. No wonder I hate modern comedy. And to seen John Candy mud-wrestle six models, well that never gets old does it.


The gals even provide some cute romance here. Worth a smirk and a smile as Ramis and Murray play to their strengths, making the girls giggle and put out.

As much as you want this movie to escalate in humor, it gets lost in morals and a manuscript that runs on the leftover-fumes of better comedies. First after the usual 90 minutes a comedy is supposed to last (it would have been so much better with the last 25 minutes) and then again as director Ramis simply can not seem to end at a sensible time.

Elmer Bernstein composed an epic loser-track, and a most humorous comedic action track, most worthy of mention.

Though the thought of a military-SUV is a brilliant one, it's just not enough to justify another half hour, particularly as the film's strong suit is comedy, not suspense. Thus making this a good comedy that wouldn't end rather than a great one.

7/10