In the Army Now (1994)

Two misguided youths join the reserves to make some money for their entrepreneurial dreams. No sooner than they finish basic training are they called up to do their part to save the free world.

Director:

Daniel Petrie Jr.

Writers:

Steve Zacharias (story), Jeff Buhai (story)

Stars:

Pauly Shore, Lori Petty, Andy Dick

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Pauly Shore	...	Bones Conway
Andy Dick	...	Jack Kaufman
Lori Petty	...	Christine Jones
David Alan Grier	...	Fred Ostroff
Esai Morales	...	Sgt. Stern
Lynn Whitfield	...	Sgt. Ladd
Art LaFleur	...	1st Sgt. Brandon T. Williams
Fabiana Udenio	...	Gabriella
Glenn Morshower	...	Richard Day, Recruiting Sergeant
Beau Billingslea	...	Sgt. Daniels
Peter Spellos	...	Mr. Quinn
Barry Nolan	...	Stu Krieger
Coleen Christie	...	News Anchor Person
Ryan Cutrona	...	Colonel
Paul Mooney	...	Lt. Col. Peter Hume

Storyline

Bones and Jack are two guys with very little going right in their lives. The two decide to join the Army as part of the water purification team and eventually find themselves on the front lines in the conflict between the northern African countries of Chad and Libya. The two men, along with a few companions, have it upon themselves to save the day in combat, something they know little about.

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Plot Keywords:

military | u.s. military | shaved head | head shaving | fish out of water | 

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Taglines:

Sleep tight, America! The safety of the free world rests in his hands!

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Genres:

Comedy | War

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for some war action, mild language and comic sensuality

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 August 1994 (USA)

Also Known As:

You're in the Army Now

Filming Locations:

Santa Clarita, California, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$6,367,194, 14 August 1994

Gross USA:

$28,881,266

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$28,881,266

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hollywood Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The video game Bones plays in the opening sequence is Return Fire (1994) for the 3DO.

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Goofs

Bones is offered a promotion to Private First Class (PFC/E3) as an incentive to continue doing his job well. Enlisted men in the US Army are not "promoted" until they reach the rank of Sergeant (SGT/E5). Changes in rank from Private (PVT/E1) through Specialist (SPC/E4) are treated as "advancements" because the rank does not convey additional responsibility, only additional pay and seniority. All advancements in rank from E1 to E4 are automatic after a certain amount of time in the Army. Promotion to SGT requires additional training (the Primary Leadership Development Course, at the time of filming) and selection by a promotion board. Bones, Jack, Christine, and Fred all graduated from water purification training at the same time, so presumably they have all been in the Army for the same amount of time. As a result, they would all advance to PFC at the same time. The one likely exception would be Fred, who mentions that he is a dental student. Dental school is a graduate level school, which means Fred already has a Bachelor's Degree. Anyone who enlists in the US Army with a Bachelor's Degree would start as a SPC (E4). Even if he hadn't completed his Bachelor's, Fred would probably have enough college credit to begin his enlistment as a PFC. Either way, Fred would likely be the senior ranking Soldier in the group. Finally, purified water in the Army must meet certain requirements, none of which include taste. US Army water purification units have neither requirement, nor the equipment to improve the taste of their water.

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Quotes

Bones: You're sitting in the chair, like "Can somebody
[coughing,gagging]
Bones: help me?"
[coughing]
Fred Ostroff: See, see that's what I'm talking about!

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Alternate Versions

The TV version includes a couple of deleted scenes, including a scene in which Bones and his friends get revenge on the special forces soldiers.

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Connections

Referenced in The Larry Sanders Show: Doubt of the Benefit (1994)

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Soundtracks

Push
Written by David Usher, Mark Makoway, Kevin Young, Jeff Pearce
Performed by Moist
Courtesy of EMI Records USA, a division of ERG
Under License from Cema Special Markets

User Reviews

A great Pauly Shore movie

While Son in Law is Pauly Shore's best movie, this is proves to be my personal favorite among his body of work. The premise of Shore being in the army is about hilarious as Leonardo DiCaprio demanding $25 million and getting it! Plenty of laughs either way. Anyway, this film was rather funny and sarcastic, satirizing the military and the macho attitudes which seem to be quite prevalent. While the cast (Shore, David Alan Grier, Andy Dick and Lori Petty) isn't going to impress you with their firm grasp of the thespian arts, it still was good stuff to watch. Also, Esai Morales and Art LaFleur both

provided solid supporting roles.