Introduction
If you are a fan of military comedies, then you have probably seen the movie Stripes. This classic film, which was released in 1981, stars Bill Murray and Harold Ramis as two friends who join the army for a variety of reasons. Throughout the movie, there are many hilarious scenes, but one of the most memorable involves a jet. In this article, we will explore the role of the jet in the movie Stripes and how it added to the film’s overall comedic value.
The Jet Scene
The jet scene in Stripes takes place towards the end of the movie. Murray and Ramis’s characters, John and Russell, have just been kicked out of the army for insubordination. However, they decide to lead a group of misfit soldiers on a daring mission to invade a Soviet base in Germany. The group manages to steal a military vehicle and drive it towards the base, but they are quickly spotted by the Soviet army.
As the Soviet soldiers close in, one of the American soldiers, Francis “Psycho” Soyer, jumps into a jet that is parked nearby. Psycho manages to start the jet and begins to take off, but he quickly realizes that he has no idea how to fly it. John and Russell try to talk him through it over the radio, but their instructions only make things worse. The jet ends up crashing into a barn, and the soldiers are captured by the Soviets.
The Comedy of the Scene
The jet scene in Stripes is a perfect example of the film’s overall comedic style. It is a silly, over-the-top moment that is played for laughs. The fact that Psycho has no idea how to fly a jet is ridiculous in itself, but the way that John and Russell try to talk him through it is even funnier. Their instructions are convoluted and confusing, and they end up making the situation worse.
The actual crash of the jet is also hilarious. The way it careens into the barn and explodes is so over-the-top that it becomes cartoonish. It is the kind of moment that you would expect to see in a Looney Tunes cartoon, not a military comedy. However, it works perfectly within the context of the film.
The Significance of the Jet Scene
While the jet scene in Stripes is certainly funny, it also serves an important purpose within the film. It is a moment of desperation for the soldiers. They are completely outmatched by the Soviet army, and they have no idea how they are going to complete their mission. The fact that they are willing to try anything, even flying a jet that they have no experience with, shows just how determined they are to succeed.
The jet scene also highlights the camaraderie between the soldiers. Even though they are in a dire situation, they are still able to find humor in the moment. They are all in this together, and they are willing to take risks and make mistakes in order to achieve their goal. This sense of unity is a key theme throughout the movie.
Conclusion
The jet scene in Stripes is a classic moment in comedy history. It is silly, over-the-top, and played for laughs, but it also serves an important purpose within the film. It highlights the determination and camaraderie of the soldiers, and it adds to the overall comedic value of the movie. If you haven’t seen Stripes yet, then you are missing out on one of the funniest military comedies of all time.
