Man, the '80s must have been something else. Can you imagine a comedy today in which you had to build an RV that can fully transform into a functional tank without the use of CGI being greenlit? That thing had a working flame thrower!

The film has a bit of an identity crisis where instead of a three-act structure it feels more like 3 various episodes of the Bill Murray and Harold Ramis show. But still, those two when they are still on the rise and under Ivan Reitman that's not necessarily a bad thing. It has some great laughs, especially enjoyed the Travis Bickle knock off in their platoon. Will have to watch again in the future, this was another watch on my phone on an airplane deal which is never optimal.

Would recommend.

Does anyone really find mud wrestling sexy? I mean...it's clean water(hopefully) mixed with nasty dirt. Is it the dirt that makes it dirty hot? I feel it's the kind of mess our Fathers/Grandfathers used to be into back in baby boomer days. Now, we fancied up and splash Walmart champagnes on rollback at the stripclub with no entrance fee cause the girls look like $5 crack addicted hookers at Buy 1 get 1 Free with a g-string tag that says Warning: HIV + all diseases will be contracted at no extra fee please tip your hoe.

I like Reitman. I like Ramis. I like Murray. Right at the top of their game was Stripes. And don't get me wrong, there are some great gags and jokes, and a really solid cast of side characters as well. But the film doesn't know where the hell it is going. There is a tacked on 30 extra minutes involving a weaponized RV that shouldn't have been there where nothing funny or entertaining happens, and that drags down the film substantially.

Having a third of your film be completely devoid of comedy or worthwhile plot will ruin your film. And that's what happened with Stripes.

Where's that sharp knife we have?

--

Are either of you homosexuals?

You mean, like, flaming or...? [holds out hand, rocks it slightly]

Well, it's a standard question we have to ask.

No, we're not homosexual, but we are willing to learn.

Yeah, would they send us someplace special?

--

I cannot explain it beyond simple Looney Tunes squeals of childlike glee, but there is something inherently hilarious about Harold Ramis holding a firearm. Ghostbusters understood this and gave him a science gun.

--

John Candy brought $413.58 in cash to the lady mud wrestling bar in 1981. That's $1,184.72 in today money. Motherfucker came to compete.

Synopsis: BIll Murray and Harold Ramis go to boot camp and behave as if the real Bill Murray and Harold Ramis went to boot camp.

Thoughts about Stripes:
- Perfectly goofy. This film doesn't try or need to be anything other than these funny people taking nothing in life seriously.

- This spotlight sidekick role for Ramis make me disappointed he did not receive more screen time to shine during his life. He should of been by Bill Murray's side always.

_ It way too oversexed- unnecessarily and uncomfortably oversexed. This makes it very much part of the 80's preventing it from aging too well.

Conclusion
Stripes, with the exception of slight perversity, is a highly watchable comic fun time, that just rides off the coattails of its' cast cracking wise charm.

The comedy was alright and the story was consistent. Yep, pretty good. Not a comedy to swoon over tho, except for the scene where they graduate

As a high school student I thought this was hilarious.

Amiable, messy comedy that's all over the place. Dopey, crude sexism ruins the party a little.

Love seeing SCTV cast, Dave Thomas and Joe Flaherty have small parts.

Film #45 of 2021.

Classic Bill Murray, Harold Ramis, a movie of its time

Pretty much Animal House at basic training, but Bill Murray is surprisingly great here. Maybe not anything awards-worthy, but he really shows how unique of a comedic talent he is (especially in how amazingly well he can inject so much humor into a scene with his improv).

Sort of similar to the way John Belushi burst onto the scene with the aforementioned Animal House by crafting a performance and character so incredibly unique it sort of took the world by storm (as Murray would go on to do for many years after).

This review may contain spoilers. I can handle the truth.

Two thoughts:

1. This is the most underrated Murray ever. 
2. Was Judge Reinhold ever an A list celebrity?

This is like Police Academy in the army only not as entertaining and fun. The film only wins a bit of attraction when Murray and Ramis are doing their goofs together. Bill Murray is usually a very likable actor in itself but this film mostly kept my attention for his and Ramis' comedic chemistry.

This movie is like: I don't wanna feel anything, just wanna lie down and laugh at Bill Murray.

Ghostbuster owns my heart and soul,
This movie loses it in third act but its just so fun watching Murray and Ramis to care. Comedy Gold!!!

Another movie that has not stood the test of time.

White men do dumb shit with no repercussions. Commander is a peeping tom. White men put whole groups of people in danger consistently.

There were some funny moments, and I like the idea of some off kilter people coming in to make the army work in their own way. But this was not that.

“Of its time”, I guess

Stripes- 7/10

Comedy actually makes me laugh. Every joke lands and it nails that buddy humour that Ghostbusters had, this is down to the unbelievably good chemistry between Bill Murray and Harold Ramis. John Candy was also brilliant this film and it's a shame he isn't with us today.

It doesn't undermine the military like most army based comedies. Instead it revolves around the characters and their growth as unlikely heroes.

Some of the gags and jokes are dated, for example the foreplay with kitchen utensils wouldn't be allowed in a modern day film. You have ton aknowledge it was made in the early 80's when you could get awaty with sexism in movies, every 80's film has it, I'm not saying it's good but I'm saying it's the past and you can't change it. The film isn't politically correct but only because of the decade it was released.

Overall the film is entertaining, nicely paced and a good time.

Maybe there's a world where you're such a fan of Bill Murray and walk in expecting only "Bill Murray does....THE ARMY", that this is passable. But I'm a fan of Murray, and is it just me or is STRIPES borderline terrible?

Sure - it's a victim of aging poorly, but which jokes (besides a somewhat humorous first 10 minutes) are the funny ones? And how can you not see the lifelessness in these actors' eyes? And at what point does any character's motivation make sense?