If memory serves correctly, this was the first "R" rated movie I ever saw. And no, I didn't sneak in, or catch it on cable. Honest to goodness attended at a theatre with my parents in tow. Not sure why we went, but I do remember seeing this one on the big screen.
It was awesome.
Pretty darn funny movie, for a 10 year old. It got funnier as I got older and could appreciate more of the jokes.
It also helped cement my love for Bill Murray, and possibly began the string of seeing the Saturday Night Live performers up on the silver screen.
This was either the first, or second Ivan Reitman film I saw. Great director who has been on the countdown already, and isn't finished just yet. If this wasn't the first, then that honor belongs to Meatballs. Murray and Reitman normally equals cinematic gold.
For those that haven't seen it, it's the story of a schlub who decides to join the Army. He takes his best friend with him, and naturally gets put in basic training with a squad of all rejects. Amazing how that happens. The movie unfolds in two parts, the basic training, and then the top secret mission that these bumbling simpletons get picked for!
Among the supporting cast on this film are the always amazing John Candy as Ox, and Harold Ramis as Murray's best friend. Ramis probably deserves more than his fair share of credit to how good this movie is, as he had a hand in drafting the screenplay. Considering the other movies that he has worked on as a writer or director, the man has more hits than misses, and more credits than people probably realize.
Of course the movie undeniably belongs to Bill Murray. With the lead in Meatballs behind him, and a memorable part in Caddyshack, this appears to be the movie that cemented the fact that Murray could headline a movie as the star.
His biggest hit would come when he reteamed with Reitman and Ramis, but that is a tale for another day on the countdown.
That's the fact, Jack!
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