Visitors Review

kirk_foster (2012-05-26 11:14)

One of those great FUN films from the 80's

Absolutely the best military comedy ever. I appreciated many of thecomments from guys saying it was the first film they learnedline-by-line. I'm an enormous fan myself. Just wanted to add a littlebit of trivia that appears to be needed, for everyone who thinks thefilm opens in New York. The entire movie (minus a couple of Hollywoodsets and the two airport scenes) was shot in Kentucky. The opening isin Louisville; Winger stops his cab in the middle of the 2nd streetbridge and drops his keys into the Ohio River. (Ironically pointingNorth, on the opposite side of town and heading AWAY from the airport.)The entirety of the military sequences were shot at Fort Knox, about30min down the road. (So it was a short bus ride after all.)Czechoslovakia was, of course, rural Kentucky. I actually had thepleasure of stumbling onto the Czechoslovakian camp a few weeks backwhile in KY. Got some great photos; its amazing the place is stillstanding.See, told you I was a fanatic -- not too many people would make apilgrimage to Kentucky just to see locations from the film.

idiot28 (2012-05-26 00:44)

Bloody brilliant

There's more laughs in this film than there are grains of sand on abeach. It's a non stop roller-coaster ride of thrills spills anddynamic times.If you don't like this film then, as Hulka said to FrancisSoyer..."lighten up Francis". How can you not like the performance ofBig Dewey Oxberger? How can you not like the sweet, sweet mud wrestlingscene? Ooo la la! And what about 'The Cruiser'...what a dumb, dumb guy.How can you not laugh at these delicious characterisations? How you cannot like "Boom chugga lugga lugga, boom chugga lugga lugga, boom chuggalugga lugga boom!" is well beyond me.Maybe you are more into art-house films that provide thought provokingand oh so accurate comments on the human condition. Maybe that, ormaybe you're a pretentious fop.So, lighten up Francis and dig your eyes on Winger losing his job,coming home with his pizza, having his car repossessed, dropping hispizza, his girl leaving him, his basketball smashing through his windowand all the rest."How's it going' Eisenhower, is there a movie on this flight?" Every thumb up!

(2012-05-22 20:52)

Lighten up, Francis...

I'm a bit perplexed by the reviews criticizing this movie because of its unrealistic depiction of the Army. Do these same people complain that "Animal House" doesn't accurately display college life or that "Vacation" isn't what a family trip across the country is really like? (Hey, I live in St. Louis and could easily take exception to the outright offensive inaccuracies in "Vacation", but I still love the movie!) This is a comedy, folks. It's not "Saving Private Ryan" or "Band of Brothers", and it never claims or tries to be. It uses exaggeration and absurdities to make us laugh. It isn't striving for realism, although to its credit, I have heard plenty of people say that this is the best movie they've ever seen at giving you the feel for what its like going into the service, and that their own drill instructor was identical to Sgt Hulka.The first half of this movie is just about the funniest comedy ever made. Bill Murray and Harold Ramis are the perfect slobs with shiftless lives who try to maintain what's left of their dignity by enlisting in the Army. Their chemistry is wonderful and they truly are believable as out-of-shape but likable losers. Virtually every line and every character is memorable (Psycho, Ox, Cruiser, that lady in the cab, John Laroquette, and of course Russell and Winger), and this has to be the most quotable movie in history. No, John Candy would not have spoken to a superior officer that way when he gets off the bus (or at least not have gotten away with it), but that's what's so funny about it! And speaking of Sgt. Hulka, Warren Oates should have been given an Oscar nomination for this role. He's the high point of the movie for me, and his intense, over the top performance reminds me of Robert Shaw in "Jaws"- some actors are so good that they can chew scenery and get away with it. So for the first half of the movie, there's not an unfunny moment. Maybe basic training isn't like this, but the scenes are so well-done that a generation of adolescent guys has grown up thinking that it is and have no doubt gone into the military with this movie in the back of their minds.The second half of the movie sort of devolves into a bearable but not great action movie, with its contrived plot about the stolen military RV and the rescue mission across the Czech border. Still, the same characters are present and continue to sustain the movie until the end. Great music, too- I don't think this has ever been issued as a soundtrack but it contains one of the most memorable themes ever written for a movie. The DVD itself is passable- no extras, somewhat grainy video, unspectacular sound. But we surived watching it over and over again on basic cable with plenty of edits and subpar picture quality, so I can't complain too much. I suppose someday it will be given a "Special Edition" with a commentary and a retrospective from the stars, but the movie stands on its own without anything fancy.

Steven Glowacki (2012-05-22 08:01)

First movie I stopped watching partway through due to quality issues

This movie severely disappointed me. Maybe I was comparing this toomuch to the portrayal of boot camp in Full Metal Jacket, but thesituations depicted seemed entirely unbelievable. I could go throughsome of them, but I'd probably end up listing every scene in the movie.I found myself scowling at most of the attempts at jokes and notlaughing from those that managed not to offend me. Once the guys gointo the general's home, I decided that this movie was an waste of mytime. I didn't see the movie going anywhere interesting, and couldbasically guess what the general outline of the rest of the movie wouldbe based on what had previously been mentioned.No rating since I couldn't bare to sit through it all.

(2012-05-20 06:36)

new viewers, dont listen to michel moineau's review.

who ever this michel moineau is he should wise up. stripes is a great comedy. a little dated with the humor but so is caddyshack, and thats another classic comedy. bill murray is awesome in this and the majority of the film has great lines. Heartbreak Ridge is not as good as this film no matter what others say. for those who question the details of the film (murrays financial situation or such) have to not take this film too seriously. just enjoy the silly lines and great physical comedy. mr. moineau, try again.

g-bodyl (2012-05-19 16:36)

Had a Fun Time!

I had a really fun time watching this clever Bill Murray film. It didnot win awards, but this film is not meant to. It is just a fun filmthat pokes fun at the Army and where you can laugh until your sidehurts too much.This is about John Winger who decides to join the military because hefeels like he has nothing more to do with his current lifestyle. Hedrags his friend to join the military and they plan to show themilitary what it is like to have a good time.When this film was released in 1981, the cast was unknown with theexception of Bill Murray. Murray is really funny in this movie and thiswould be film that led him and Harold Ramis to be together inGhostbusters. The whole cast was just great especially the late WarrenOates as the drill sergeant.Overall, this film met my expectations. I was expecting to have a funtime with his film and I did. I rate this film 8/10.

J Philly (2012-05-17 14:18)

one of the great classics

Bill Murray was at his best in this one. He is the quentiessential loser who tries to make everything better but ends up screwing it all up. I also think Harold Ramis is hilarious. Some of the jokes have been copied by other movies, so you know the stuff was great and even after almost 30 years, anyone would be able to watch it and find it funny. My favorite character has to be Sgt. Hulka.

wes-connors (2012-05-17 09:44)

Uncle Sam Wants Topless Women

Louisville, Kentucky cab driver Bill Murray (as John Winger) loses hisjob, car, and sexy blonde girlfriend. After watching a TV recruitmentad, Mr. Murray decides to join the U.S. Army. Joining Murray ischeerful chum Harold Ramis (as Russell Ziskey), who has been working asan English instructor. They are accepted for basic training at FortKnox (as Fort Arnold)… and hi-jinks ensue… Warren Oates takes his turnas the loud-mouthed drill sergeant. John Candy (as Dewey "Ox" Oxburger)plays the fat recruit - you'll see him mud-wrestle several of thefilm's topless highlights... This popular movie needs reevaluation. It's really a low point in theline of "SCTV" and "SNL" influenced and/or inspired films begun in the1970s. Probably, the reason is that filmmakers did nothing out of theordinary with an overused storyline. Many "Second City" segments arefunnier - compare, for example, the SCTV "English for Beginners" skitwith Mr. Ramis' opening scene. In spite, "Stripes" had a catchysing-a-long and lines to use effectively in TV commercials. Critics whowere behind the curve on better comedies took the chance to write a fewkind words. That's the fact, Jack. **** Stripes (6/26/81) Ivan Reitman ~ Bill Murray, Harold Ramis, WarrenOates, John Candy

(2012-05-15 17:34)

The cold war comedy that ended the cold war.

Bill Murray fans have to see this movie! Bill is in full goofy mode for the better part of the film. John Candy, Harold Ramis and John Larroquette provide plenty of laughs as well. Murray always seems at his best when working with Ivan Reitman, and this is no exception.If you like military comedy. If you like comedy in general. If you just wanna see John Candy mud wrestle a couple of women. This is the movie for you.

(2012-05-15 11:08)

ignore the bad reviews

Apparently some of the previous reviewers don't understand that Stripes is a C-O-M-E-D-Y...i.e. it doesn't have to represent the army, but rather need only be humorous. Mission accomplished--it's ridiculously hilarious. Directed by Ivan Reitman and starring Bill Murray, Harold Ramis, John Candy, John Larroquette, and Judge Reinhold, Stripes may very well be the prototypic 80's comedy. If you haven't seen the film you're doing yourself a grave disservice. At the very least, rent the movie and judge for yourself.Brief synopsis: John (Murray) and Russell (Ramis) are two disillusioned friends who join the army on a whim to escape their dead-end jobs and to be all they can be. Grouped with a collection of psychopaths and fellow num-nuts they proceed to stumble through boot camp. When their drill-sergeant is injured during training exercises, John assumes leadership of this military version of the Bad News Bears. Thrown into the mix, you have two attractive MPs, mud wrestling, a classified covert combat-ready recreational vehicle, and Sean Young before she went loopy. please, see this movie and make the world a little happier

(2012-05-14 05:09)

MILITARY LIFE WAS NEVER LIKE THIS!!!

Learn the meaning of the word looser when you meet up with these two buddies who join the Army for lack of a better life. Discover why "Lighten Up Francis'" "...no, never convicted...", "no, but we are willing to learn" and "...you mean like, flaming?" became popular phrases. Also stars John Candy and Judd Hirsh

(2012-05-14 00:06)

Not my style, but still entertaining.

This review is from: Stripes (Extended Cut) (DVD) For me this is a "watch it every once in a while" movie. My boyfriend picked it out and we watched it together. Funny, but I can only take so much Billy Murray humor in one sitting. The storyline is a bit ridiculous, purposely, and the nudity and "crude-ity" multiply in this extended version. Not offensive, but just something that might be a factor for potential buyers. I'm kind of neutral on this one.

(2012-05-10 08:48)

Not my style, but still entertaining.

This review is from: Stripes (Unrated Extended Cut) (DVD) For me this is a "watch it every once in a while" movie. My boyfriend picked it out and we watched it together. Funny, but I can only take so much Billy Murray humor in one sitting. The storyline is a bit ridiculous, purposely, and the nudity and "crude-ity" multiply in this extended version. Not offensive, but just something that might be a factor for potential buyers. I'm kind of neutral on this one.

(2012-05-09 19:48)

Extended Cut should have been...

There is no denying Stripes as a classic from my (insert age now) youth. And, sans the additional scenes, it is still an all-time favorite. However, I just can't get my arms around those extended scenes. The fact that a little warning is telling me throughout that "the director feels these scenes were superfluous, and a waste of your time" (my quotation marks) really doesn't help matters. Buy Stripes if you don't already own it. But, don't buy it for the extra scenes...

(2012-05-09 05:02)

One of Bill Murray's best

I've seen a lot of movies, but I still come back to Stipes.There are alot of fine actors in this one,The late John Candy and Warren Oates,Harold Ramis, John Larroquette and Bill Murray just to name a few.Great army movie that will keep you laughing for months. Need I say more.Until next time,I see you at the movies.......

ags-3 (2012-05-08 13:30)

80s Gomer Pyle

Though I thought the scenario and story were a bit too Gomer Pyle-ish forme, I am willing to forgive the filmmakers forthat since this film basically has every great, respectable comedian inthebook. I just hope it can be a laugh for our dogs-of-war on enemy lines aswell, instead of an insult.

Brevity (2012-05-06 11:46)

Shouldn't have had a plot

Many accuse "Full Metal Jacket" of being "half a masterpiece"(referring to it being quite harshly divided into two and to the factthat many prefer the first part); without taking a stance on thatmatter, I must say here is a similar situation, although this is onlyabout ten, fifteen at most, percent of a masterpiece. Luckily, thecrucial point comes relatively late here: the moment they're sent toItaly. After that there's much indifference in the air.But before that, amid some over-stretching and a few misses there ismuch good to be found. The dialogue has many highlights as one can seeby clicking once or, perhaps preferably, viewing this.A remark: the film has a peculiar air of childishness to it. I do ofcourse realise that they know that most of this is not exactlyhighbrow.Anything with Murray is always worth seeing, but I think Ramis hereeven funnier than him. Then again, he was writing this, but let's notsplit hairs now, shall we? I like the film but would have liked it evenmore if it had finished as the slightly above-average collection ofhit-and-miss sketches it begins as.

Ben Burgraff (2012-05-05 21:05)

Bill Murray Shines In Brilliant, If Uneven Comedy...

STRIPES, the best service comedy of the 80's, was released during BillMurray's halcyon career years (1979-1984), and has moments of absolutelunacy and imagination, faltering only during the last third of the film.Ashowcase for many rising stars (Harold Ramis, John Candy, JohnLarroquette,Sean Young, Judge Reinhold) and featuring Warren Oates' funniestperformanceon film, it nevertheless is primarily Murray's show, and he delivers,brilliantly!As an arrogant but likable loser who thrives on twisting the 'rules' tosuithim, Murray combines physical humor, sly one-liners, and ananti-establishment point of view to establish himself as the logicalsuccessor to the anarchists of ANIMAL HOUSE. His character, John Winger,isnot only a jerk, but charismatic enough to make being a smartassdesirable!After losing his girl, his job, his home, and even his pizza ("Thendepression set in," he announces), he sees a TV commercial for the Army,andconvinces his friend Russell Ziskey (sweetly played by Harold Ramis), anEnglish language teacher who's better at teaching cuss words to hisstudentsthan English, to drop everything and enlist with him.Basic is a challenge for Winger, as the Army expects him to be a soldier!Ina unit comprised of idiots, psychopaths, potheads, and an overweightrecruitwho enlisted to "shed a few pounds" in a 'Club Med'-style environment(JohnCandy, who is very funny), Winger immediately attempts to take charge,onlyto be put down by gruff drill instructor, Sgt. Hulka (Warren Oates), whoiswise to all of Winger's scams. Not that this interferes with Winger andZiskey's social life; the pair soon have MP girlfriends (P.J. Soles andSeanYoung) sharing trysts in the General's quarters!The film's highlight occurs after Sgt. Hulka is incapacitated by anexploding grenade. Faced with having to start basic training all overagain,Winger coaches the unit overnight in HIS kind of drill for the finalReviewand Parade. Unfortunately, everyone then oversleeps, and arrive at theParade Ground in all manner of dress. Winger's unorthodox marchingroutinesare a hit, however, and the General, thinking he is watching a crackoutfit,addresses Winger in one of the funniest exchanges ever recorded onfilm!Unfortunately, STRIPES doesn't end with Winger's completion of basictraining, but moves to Europe, where the unit (and Sgt. Hulka) areassignedto guard an attack vehicle that looks suspiciously like an RV. Whilethereare a few amusing moments in this final chapter of the film, it lacks theinspired madness of basic training, and drags, a bit, until the famous'Magazine Cover' postscript.All in all, STRIPES is a memorable, if flawed near-classic, and paved theway for Murray and Ramis' blockbuster, GHOSTBUSTERS. If you're a BillMurrayor service comedy fan, it should not be missed!

(2012-05-03 13:46)

Stripes DVD

This DVD arrived well packaged and in perfect condition. This will be given to my son for a stocking stuffer at Christmas. I expect lots of laughter!

blulou69 (2012-05-02 17:03)

An inside look into the Military from the average GI Joe

This movie at first glance to todays audience screams cheese and someparts are a little off the wall and unbelievable. However if you'vebeen in the military you can feel the emotional undertones appreciatethe tongue in cheek as well as the seriousness at times but moreimportantly which one of us vets here NEVER wanted to do any of thosethings while we served c'mon you know you did. (who here hasn't seen'OL Yeller?...Yeah thats what I thought) We all served with everyone ofthose guys at one time or another and I think it was captured in thebest light possible for the time. Before I went in I loved this movieand after I grew up and then got out I appreciated it more. I still usethe lines from it as humor but now my kids get them its really weird.Like telling my wife after 17 yrs of marriage "are you kidding me I'vegot to read books on the side just to keep up with you..." Its slow anda bit cheesy but if it was made as one of todays "big budget" pics itwould been more appealing to todays audience just because I can seethem updating the effects and camera-work. But the messages might nottranslate as well. Considering the message and the time I think its aclassic.