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A raucous military comedy that features Bill Murray and his merry cohorts approaching the peak of their talents.
All Critics (36) | Top Critics (6) | Fresh (31) | Rotten (5) | DVD (4)
The premise and star remain out of whack until the rambling, diffuse screenplay finally struggles beyond basic training. Dec 18, 2015 | Full Review…
The premise and star remain out of whack until the rambling, diffuse screenplay finally struggles beyond basic training.
Gary Arnold
Stripes will keep potential felons off the streets for two hours. Few people seem to be asking, these days, that movies do more. Oct 5, 2008 | Full Review…
Stripes will keep potential felons off the streets for two hours. Few people seem to be asking, these days, that movies do more.
The balance of the film consists of time-tested commercial material, most of which is still working fine. Apr 1, 2008 | Full Review…
The balance of the film consists of time-tested commercial material, most of which is still working fine.
Dave Kehr
[Reitmam] manages a reasonable success rate at pulling off the numerous verbal and sight gags with which the script is peppered. Feb 9, 2006 | Full Review…
[Reitmam] manages a reasonable success rate at pulling off the numerous verbal and sight gags with which the script is peppered.
An anarchic slob movie, a celebration of all that is irreverent, reckless, foolhardy, undisciplined, and occasionally scatological. It's a lot of fun. Oct 23, 2004 | Rating: 3.5/4 | Full Review…
An anarchic slob movie, a celebration of all that is irreverent, reckless, foolhardy, undisciplined, and occasionally scatological. It's a lot of fun.
Roger Ebert
Mr. Murray hasn't yet reached the point at which his routines can be sustained for more than 10 minutes at a time. But he has achieved a sardonically exaggerated calm that can be very entertaining. Aug 30, 2004 | Rating: 3/5
Mr. Murray hasn't yet reached the point at which his routines can be sustained for more than 10 minutes at a time. But he has achieved a sardonically exaggerated calm that can be very entertaining.
Janet Maslin
Comic '80s military romp has violence, nudity, language. Apr 26, 2016 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…
Comic '80s military romp has violence, nudity, language.
Renee Schonfeld
Benefits immensely from being graded on a curve: it's no Ghostbusters, but it's no Police Academy either. Sep 29, 2014 | Rating: 7/10 | Full Review…
Benefits immensely from being graded on a curve: it's no Ghostbusters, but it's no Police Academy either.
Tim Brayton
Murray's insouciant Sixties clowning survives being parachuted into the Eighties Sep 25, 2009 | Full Review…
Murray's insouciant Sixties clowning survives being parachuted into the Eighties
Fernando F. Croce
An often hilarious film that provided Bill Murray with a perfect opportunity in which to display his comedic skills. Apr 1, 2008 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…
An often hilarious film that provided Bill Murray with a perfect opportunity in which to display his comedic skills.
With a cast that consists largely of Saturday Night Live veterans, laughs are guaranteed, not least from a hilarious Murray. Apr 1, 2008 | Full Review…
With a cast that consists largely of Saturday Night Live veterans, laughs are guaranteed, not least from a hilarious Murray.
Film4 Staff
The first hour of Stripes is side-splittingly hilarious. Unfortunately, it fizzles a bit once Warren Oates' Sgt. "The Big Toe" Hulka disappears. Oct 21, 2005 | Rating: 4/5
The first hour of Stripes is side-splittingly hilarious. Unfortunately, it fizzles a bit once Warren Oates' Sgt. "The Big Toe" Hulka disappears.
Chuck O'Leary
It's odd how a comedy from 1981 can seem more outdated than say one from 1961. Irreverent is the nicest way to put it. That's not to say Stripes isn't worth watching. It's occasionally hilarious. At the time, the film was the third on which Harold Ramis collaborated with Bill Murray, but the first in which the two actually appeared on camera together. The chemistry of their effortless friendship in real life, easily translates on screen. There's some terrific moments leading up to their arrival at Fort Arnold. The meet-and-greet scene in the Army barracks is a highlight for everyone involved. Ox (John Candy) and Psycho (Conrad Dunn) have amusing introductions. Legend has it that Bill Murray's "Chicks Dig Me" speech, including the bit about Lee Harvey and the cow, was improvised, Their basic training and on through their graduation feature some extremely funny bits. Unfortunately the dramatic momentum runs out of steam during the final act. Up until then, it's quite entertaining. Nostalgic viewers old enough to have originally seen it during the 80s should enjoy it even more. fastfilmreviews.com
Super Reviewer
Three years prior to Ghostbusters, Ivan Reitman made this half-forgotten little comedy gem. While not as perfectly timed as said classic in its humor, it's still an enjoyable watch with just as great of a cast. Especially as it features two of the busters: namely Bill Murray and Harold Ramis. Another name worth mentioning is the late great John Candy, who earns credit for some of the film's funniest moments. The plot reminds me of an American version of the Swedish comedy Repmånad, which came out two years before it in 1979. In comparison, I was just about equally entertained, but if I could only have one of them in my shelf, I would have to go with the one starring Murray. Because when all is said and done, there's nothing or at least very little in the world that can top that man's comedic genius.
Funny and entertaining, Ivan Reitman's picture have great comedians on the screen, in hilarious situations, but present a kind of boring ending for a terrific 80's comedy classic.
Murray's best early film performance is still a very entertaining watch.
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