Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, August 13, 1994 TAG: 9408160062
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 10 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By MIKE MAYO CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
It still manages to be sloppy, silly and pointless, but it does so with dispatch.
This one's another low-budget vehicle for former VJ Pauly Shore, an increasingly unlikely film star. Aside from a couple of stream-of-consciousness monologues that generate some comic energy, he is upstaged by his co-stars, who don't appear to be trying too hard themselves.
Shore plays Bones Conway, an amiable incompetent who's fired from his job selling appliances. That paves the way for an Army recruiter who persuades Bones and his pal Jack (Andy Dick) to enlist in the Reserves. They decide to specialize in water purification.
There the guys become friends with Fred (David Alan Grier), a neurotic dentist, and the gung-ho Christine (Lori Petty) who's in the Reserves because they wouldn't let women into the combat infantry.
After a few recycled scenes in basic training, which waste the underused talents of Lynn Whitfield as a loud sergeant, our four heroes think they're home free. Then Libya invades Chad, and they're off to the African desert (actually California).
About then the already loose story - eight people receive writing credit (if you can call it that) - turns into a combat comedy with the four goof-offs becoming a fighting unit, etc. etc. Throughout, director Daniel Petrie Jr. ("Toy Soldiers") does journeyman work with material that really doesn't deserve it.
"In the Army Now" is the stuff of TV sitcoms; it shouldn't be in theaters. Don't be surprised if it shows up in video stores very soon.
In the Army Now
* 1/2
A Hollywood Pictures release playing at Salem Valley 8. 89 min. Rated PG for some strong language, mild violence.
by CNB