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 1981 R / War Comedy Directed by: Starring: |
- The story of a man who wanted to keep the world safe for democracy... and meet girls
Summary Capsule
- Bill Murray and Harold Ramis get NUTTY, army-style!
Mutant Meter
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Nancy's Rating: Five out of five unique pieces of undergarment.
Nancy's Review: Short of Ghostbusters, this film is so far the only one that came out of the Bill Murray Crusade (my crusade to see all Bill Murray movies) that jumped out of my television scream, slapped me in the face and said "why have you not seen me before?!?". And I'll be honest with you right now; upon renting it, I wasn't super-ecstatic. This film came as a buy-one, get-one Double Feature alongside Meatballs, which I was super-ecstatic about (Bill Murray summer camp movie?!?!!? Huzza, I say!) Stripes was merely something to take off my to-do list.
Stripes is the tale of straight-up lazy cab driver John Winger, and his similarly slackerly charming pal Russell, played by Harold Ramis. (Yeah, that's right. Egon shines incandescently here, by far the coolest character he's ever played. Not that I don't love the dorkface routine he pulls off in Ghostbusters, but here he is charming, slightly smooth while still retaining nerdiness, and just so cool.) Notice the introductions to both of these characters; they're brilliant. They immediately established John and Russell as really likeable. THAT'S the word I need. Likeable. These two friends are so incredibly likeable that you're immediately sucked into their world perceptions and you believe them when they tell you they are handsome.
So upon his girlfriend leaving ("All the plants are gonna die!"), quitting his job (in the most badass fashion I can imagine) and having nothing to do but share eclectic banter with Russell, they make the decision that the best thing for BOTH of them to do is join the army. So they sign up, alter the establishment with wit, hit on the ladies and party party party all the time. John declares himself leader of this ragtag team of hopeful soldiers, and together they take on the Man, who happens to be a drill sergeant, the most fun and exciting Man to take on! Yes, okay, it's formulaic, but like all old movies, it only appears formulaic because it's been copied so many times. It was probably quite fresh in 1981. I wouldn't know, I was negative seven.
So the actors portraying the characters are amazing, but the characters themselves are just really cool. Even the two ladies, Stella and Louise they fall for could be thrown into the category of excess ho-bag, but they were developed enough and hey, wow, they turned out to be wicked cool as well. And Sgt. Hulka, along with having a name that is way fun to say (hulka! huuuulka! HuLK-AAA! wahoo), is a funny antagonist to John. John and Russell themselves are so sincere despite their kookiness. It's a classic Bill Murray role; jokingly egotistical but you don't even mind because he's hilarious! And I'm glad Russell gets significant jokes and screentime, as opposed to being just a mere second fiddle to The Murray Man (....yes... I think I'll call him The Murray Man from now on). Well, let's not lie, he IS the second fiddle to Bill Murray, but that is one loud fiddle with a lot of a hilarity crammed in there! Their friendship is adorable. One of the few flaws in this film is that it could have been developed more. Granted that would make it a straight-up buddy flick (which it's not; if my review gives that impression it's because that friendship is my favorite aspect of this movie) but the quirky friendship is where the movie really shines. And what's wrong with a straight-up buddy flick?!?
Come to think of it, these characters seem more real then in any other buddy flick I can think of. This would have been a superb buddy flick! I'm actually getting a little angry for what this could have been. This could have been the DEFINITIVE buddy flick! It would have ruled! It would have said "HEY! Hey Easy Rider! EAT THIS!" All films with two pals in it would henceforth be compared to it! "Well, it was good, but it didn't have the Real-Guy charm of Stripes. And Kumar is NOTHING compared to The Murray Man". (I love to say that).
So anyway. Maybe it could have been much much more, but perhaps I am too needy of a film viewer. Nonetheless, the antics never fail to put a bright bright smile of my face. So if you love cool, eclectic comedy with The Murray Man Twist, rent this today. Don't be a skeptical loser like Nancy. Learn from my mistakes.
 "Say that again, and I'll sass you like an english muffin!"
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- The lady who played Stella is P.J. Soles, way cool lady who starred in Rock N Roll High School! Rent it today!
- How Russell teachers his class to speak English
- That Bill Murray is just so darn cute sometimes.
- When they perform the impromptu drill routine (way cool), some shots show it's sunny while others show it's rainy. Could the weather have changed so suddenly in brief moments? Is there a conspiracy at hand? Is it just inconsistent filming? Am I asking too many questions?
- When Winger's platoon arrives at the graduation, the music has stopped, yet the band conductor's baton continues to move for several seconds.
Is It Worth Staying Through End Credits?
No, but right before the credits we find out what happens to all of the characters!
Intermission! [some sources: IMDb]
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Originally a vehicle for Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong. (see? told you! backs up my buddy movie theory more!)
This was the first movie for Judge Reinhold, John Diehl, Sean Young and many of the other cast members. (Good thing too, because if Judge Reinhold didn't acclaim fame, we would have never had that funny segment in Clerks: The Cartoon).
As a result of this movie, the song "Do Wah Diddy Diddy" has become a popular cadence in the US military
The character nicknamed "Psycho" is actually named "Francis". Francis is Norman Bates' middle name in Psycho.
Groovy Quotes
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John Winger: [to his girlfriend] You can't go. All the plants will die.
Winger: We're all very different people. We're not Watusi, we're not Spartans, we're Americans. With a capital 'A', huh? And you know what that means? Do you? That means that our forefathers were kicked out of every decent country in the world. We are the wretched refuse. We're the underdog.
Winger: Chicks dig me because I rarely wear underwear and when I do it's usually something unusual.
Sgt. Hulka: Soldier, I've noticed that you're always late.
Winger: I'm pacing myself, sir.
Winger: Don't order the Schnitzel. They're using Shnauzer.
Winger: My philosophy - a hundred dollar shine on a three-dollar pair of boots.
Russell: I've always been kind of a pacifist. When I was a kid, my father told me, "Never hit anyone in anger, unless you're absolutely sure you can get away with it." I don't know what kind of soldier I'm gonna make, but I want you guys to know that if we ever get into really heavy combat... I'll be right behind you guys. Every step of the way.
Sgt. Hulka: Men, welcome to the United States Army. I'm Sergeant Hulka. I'm your drill sergeant. Before we proceed any further, we gotta get something straight. Your mamas are not here to take care of you now. It's just you, me, and Uncle Sam. And before I leave you, you're gonna find out that me and Uncle Sam are one in the same.
Winger: Uncle Hulka?
Winger: [Winger and Hansen are trapped by enemy fire] You know who would love this? Russell!
Winger: Oh, it's not the speed really so much, I just wish I hadn't drunk all that cough syrup this morning.
Winger: We're soldiers; but we're American soldiers. We've been kickin' ass for 200 years. We're 10 and 1.
Winger: Chicks dig me, because I rarely wear underwear and when I do it's usually something unusual.
General Barnicke: Where is your drill sergeant, men?
Winger: Blown up, sir.
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This review page was last updated on 10.28.05
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