I write a review on In The Army Now for the 5 Obstructions Blogathon
Pauly Shore remains one of the greatest comedians of his generation. Shore was severely underappreciated in his time and practically all of his work received negative reviews, but one day audiences will realize the craft Shore put into his work, not too unlike Buster Keaton. During the 90s, the prolific comic genius produced some of the funniest films ever in cinema history, such as the misunderstood masterpiece Jury Duty. Shore’s greatest film though remains In The Army Now, a magnificent picture that rivals the best of Chaplin.
In The Army Now stars Shore as Bones Conaway, a slacker clerk who is fired from his job along with his friend Jack (Andy Dick). The two decide to join the army, believing it to be an easy way to make a living. Unfortunately for the duo, they have to endure basic training from a severe female drill sergeant as well as serving on a water purification team in Libya. From there on out, In The Army turns into a rapid-fire satire of the U. S. army, mocking traditional military stereotypes and clichés.
What makes In The Army such a clever comedy is Shore himself. The comedian is fearless in his role as Bones and is committed to making the audience laugh. Andy Dick is the straight man of the two main characters, whose job is to react to reality. The chemistry between Bones and Jack is the core of the picture and far stronger than anything Woody Allen or Wes Anderson has done.
A wonderful and severely underrated comedy full of wit and humor, In The Army Now is a classic meant to be seen by all. Few comedians posses Shore’s talent, and it’s a shame that he continues to be overlooked.
Editor’s Note: Stunned? Amazed? Well, this isn’t a real review. This is an entry for Nostra’s 5 Obstructions Blogathon, where bloggers write either a negative review of a movie they love or the contrary. I chose the latter, meaning that I do not actually like In The Army Now. It is a dreadful movie, one of the worst comedies you will ever see. I just attempted to write an Armond White-style review. So please stop writing that profanity filled comment.
