Synopsis
The US army is known for churning out lean mean fighting machines intent on protecting our great nation. Sergeant Ernie Bilko is the leader of a ragtag group of the sorriest soldiers ever to enlist in the armed forces.
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Cast
- Steve MartinMaster Sergeant Ernest G. Bilko
- Dan AykroydColonel John T. Hall
- Phil HartmanMajor Colin Thorn
- Glenne HeadlyRita Robbins
- Daryl MitchellPfc. Wally Holbrook
- Chris Rock1st Lt. Oster
- Mitchell WhitfieldPfc. Mickey Zimmerman
- Eric EdwardsPvt. Duane Doberman
- Austin PendletonMaj. Ebersole
- Debra Jo RuppMrs. Hall
Recommendations
- 75
Chicago Sun-Times
Steve Martin is good at that aspect of the Bilko persona, and good, too, at suggesting that there's not a mean bone in the sergeant's body. - 75
San Francisco Chronicle
Sgt. Bilko's attempts at loose-cannon nuttiness sometimes go astray, but under Jonathan Lynn's direction, the film manages to keep a lively balance between the dumbed-down antics of Bilko's platoon of young motor- pool hustlers, to whom he is mentor, and the more nuanced satire of dimwit military brass. - 63
Washington Post
A definite improvement. However, whatever gains this adaptation makes are due entirely to the inspired goofiness of its star, Steve Martin, and not to anything that director Jonathan Lynn or screenwriter Andy Breckman may have contributed. - 60
Chicago Reader
A reasonably updated facsimile of a 50s service romp called Operation Mad Ball, a similar celebration of high jinks. - 50
TV Guide Magazine
Martin's Bilko is a career grifter who comes out on top every time. He's a Bilko for the nasty '90s, oily and smug. - 50
Variety
Even Steve Martin back in his wild-and-crazy mode can't breathe much life into Sgt. Bilko - a somewhat unlikely candidate for translation from the TV sitcom vaults to the bigscreen. Bilko can't really be much more than the series - the exploits of an unscrupulous army scam artist constantly looking for new ways to make a buck. - 50
San Francisco Examiner
Bilko and his gang are far less concerned with valve jobs and retreads than with greyhound racing, off-track betting, numbers, poker and pool, and most of the movie's gags reflect this limited premise. - 40
Austin Chronicle
All things considered, Sgt. Bilko is little more than a lengthy episode of the original show. Only less creepy.
