Ernest in the Army Reviews

The wacky misadventures of America's favorite goof-off, Ernest P. Worrell, continue with this professionally polished but comedically uninspired entry. Although the Army seems like an ideal arena for Ernest's exploits, the film founders on heavy-handed narration, plodding direction, and overly familiar slapstick gags. Hoping to serve his country and score with women, Ernest P. Worrell (Jim Varney) joins the Army Reserves. While Ernest plays weekend soldier in America, Sheik Omar Tufuti (Ivan Lucas), ruler of Arizia, threatens his neighbors in the Middle East and world peace with a recently built plutonium bomb. To defuse this volatile situation, the United Nations Security Council sanctions an invasion to be headed by Colonel Gullet (David Muller), who harbors a secret agenda. Surprisingly, Ernest's reserve unit is selected by Colonel Gullet to serve as a support team for the American troops. Concerned with his own publicity, the reserve unit's leader, General Rodney Allen (Jeffrey Pillars) welcomes the upcoming invasion as a photo-opportunity. Also tagging along on the mission is TV newscaster Cindy Swanson (Hayley Tyson). Secretly in league with Sheik Tufuti, Colonel Gullet facilitates the kidnapping of Cindy for the Sheik's propaganda purposes. Befriended by a desert urchin named Ben Ali (Christo Davids), Ernest tracks Cindy to the Sheik's tent and rescues her. As Ernest and Cindy flee, the Sheik doublecrosses Colonel Gullet and ties him to the plutonium bomb. With Ben Ali's assistance, Ernest and Cindy hijack the vehicle transporting the P-bomb rocket. Fending off Tufuti's brigade while navigating a mine field, Ernest neutralizes the bomb's timer; the rocket-bomb then detonates with a sputter. The Mideast stalemate ends with General Allen declaring Ernest an American hero. Technically, ERNEST IN THE ARMY stands head and shoulders above previous Ernest endeavors. But the comedic heart of the film's creative personnel beats weakly in this run-of-the mill product. Too many plot elements (e.g., Tufuti's megalomaniacal antics, General Allen's hogging the spotlight, Colonel Gullet's spyjinks) don't directly involve Ernest. For an Ernest flick to succeed on its own limited terms, the Ernest character must be featured front and center. Non-fans may be relieved that there is less of Jim Varney's patented mugging, but then, non-fans aren't likely to watch this in the first place. This showcase for buffoonery is hobbled by an unimaginative attempt to parody military adventure films; its few potentially funny moments are misdirected or miscalculated. A few slapstick nuggets involving Ernest's basic training are all that save this series entry for enthusiasts.(Violence.)