WE JOINED THE NAVY is a British comedy once again centred around naval fun and sailor-based humour. It's much bigger budgeted than the UP THE CREEK films that Hammer made in the late '50s, but it's nowhere near as funny. The story, about young naval recruits getting involved in international hijinks, feels quite bloated and is episodic at best. The jokes come at the expense of the characters but aren't particularly amusing, more tired and familiar. What this film does boast is an extraordinary cast of both reliable old timers (hello, Kenneth More) and amusing newcomers (such as Derek Fowlds and Jeremy Lloyd). It's great watching for the endless cameos, but as a comedy it doesn't particularly make you laugh.
Review of We Joined the Navy
