Not very funny but Murray is good

Rating: Null/10 (11 January 2004)

On the same day as he quits his job as a taxi driver, John Winger's girlfriend dumps him for someone who has drive and a willingness to grow. Looking at their directionless lives, both John and friend Russell decide to enlist in the army to become men. Despite hating the regime, both men do surprisingly well - a fact which leads them to a project in Italy.
The plot here is pretty basic and has been done many times before and since - wise ass joins the army and mocks it before eventually making good in his own way. The film is split into two; the boot camp being the first and the mission in Italy being the second. The first part treads familiar ground reasonably well without ever being very funny. The second part is absurd and is far too silly to really be funny. Plot didn't so much matter to me as long as I was laughing quite a lot but sadly I wasn't and the scripted gags and scenarios just felt tired, daft or both.
What saved the film from being bad was a great lead from Murray. He shows himself to a great comic touch and this film was part of his breakthrough to films. He doesn't have that many great lines but his delivery and his wise-ass delivery really does the job. Ramis looks less assured and doesn't seem to be taking it very serious (but not in a good way). He seems unsure of himself in front of the camera and gives a poor performance. Oates is good and both Candy and Reinhold are pretty funny. Young has a small role and isn't annoying - so that's good then!
Overall this is a silly comedy that might win you over if you are really in the mood and happy to accept less. However I found it to be rather too daft to be funny and didn't laugh at great deal. If you aren't sold on the silly comedy during the boot camp then the second half with a mobile home acting as an urban assault vehicle will just leave you cold. Murray is as good as he usually is but the film just ain't that good.