Uncle Sam Wants Topless Women

Rating: 4/10 (12 March 2011)

Louisville, Kentucky cab driver Bill Murray (as John Winger) loses his job, car, and sexy blonde girlfriend. After watching a TV recruitment ad, Mr. Murray decides to join the U.S. Army. Joining Murray is cheerful chum Harold Ramis (as Russell Ziskey), who has been working as an English instructor. They are accepted for basic training at Fort Knox (as Fort Arnold) and hi-jinks ensue Warren Oates takes his turn as the loud-mouthed drill sergeant. John Candy (as Dewey "Ox" Oxburger) plays the fat recruit - you'll see him mud-wrestle several of the film's topless highlights...
This popular movie needs reevaluation. It's really a low point in the line of "SCTV" and "SNL" influenced and/or inspired films begun in the 1970s. Probably, the reason is that filmmakers did nothing out of the ordinary with an overused storyline. Many "Second City" segments are funnier - compare, for example, the SCTV "English for Beginners" skit with Mr. Ramis' opening scene. In spite, "Stripes" had a catchy sing-a-long and lines to use effectively in TV commercials. Critics who were behind the curve on better comedies took the chance to write a few kind words. That's the fact, Jack.
**** Stripes (6/26/81) Ivan Reitman ~ Bill Murray, Harold Ramis, Warren Oates, John Candy