User reviews

Sgt Bilko delivers countless laughs, mostly from Steve Martin, Dan Akroyd and Phil Hartman. The rest of the cast are a joke. There are so many gags, slapstick, and one-liners you have to enjoy it. There is no strong story line which is unfortunate, but Bilko gets away with it. The constant parody of the united states army is much more relaxed than the Korean setting of MASH.

Do not watch this film with any predispositions or expectations of what you are going to see, and you will enjoy it so much more. I recommend it to anyone who just wants a quick two hour getaway from reality, and a chance to let yourself go and have some fun.

I thought that this movie was very funny, though somewhat on the pointless side. Good choice of actors, and the music was fairly good, and i'm not sure why i didn't hear about it until last year. The acting was exceptional, and the plot also exceptional, and i say that overall i think that it was a good movie, worthy of being watched more then once.

This movie was under-appreciated in its theatrical release. In fact, it's a rarity these days.....a lightweight comedy that doesn't insult your intelligence. Some critics carped because it wasn't like the classic TV show, but it would have been hard (and foolish) to try and duplicate the genius of Phil Silvers. Steve Martin does a fine job of putting his own unique stamp on the character of Ernie Bilko and he's surrounded by a good supporting cast with many familiar faces. The story isn't the most intricately plotted in the world, but it doesn't have to be. The gags and one-liners come fast and furious and there are plenty of laughs.

A pleasant comedy that's good for all ages.

Finally, a movie that really has "comedy" stamped all over it! SGT. BILKO is one of the better comedy films I've seen, thanks to veteran Steve Martin who provided every bit of sense in his humor and personality. A tank that flies above ground level! How innovative! Although the same substances are present like other modern-day comedies, it embraces a more likeable feeling. That means you won't have to put up with disgrace over excessive flatulence discovered in thousands of other movies in the genre. Only on occasion does this matter exist, and we all know Hollywood can't help it these days. But it's better than some, right?

...I say that I like the movie. I think that Steve Martin was the perfect person to play the role, and that it was good for him and Dan Aykroyd to co-star after all these years. If it was lower humor than we usually associate with the two, then the crazy scenes justify that. I remember that I saw this a week or two after I saw "Mr. Holland's Opus", and was surprised to see Glenne Headly doing such a different role. Phil Hartman, meanwhile, makes one nasty dude (it reminds you what we lost when he got killed).

Anyway, this is a silly movie, but quite funny. I suspect that up in that great army base in the sky, Phil Silvers must feel honored that they made this movie.

Also featuring Chris Rock and Silvers's daughter Cathy in supporting roles.

You know what's weird? My mom was the biggest Steve Martin fan you would ever meet, she had(what I thought) all of his movies and watched every biography on him. So since she had a lot of his movies, I watched most of them with her. But my boyfriend kept telling me about a film called St. Bilko and how hilarious it was. I was stumped, I couldn't find it in my mom's collection nor did I ever hear of it. So my boyfriend and I went shopping and he found it on DVD, so we went home and watched it. This film just took me back to the classic comedies I grew up with like Trading Places, The Great Outdoors and Planes, Trains and Automobiles. Steve Martin is always a great comedic actor who is a pleasure to watch, same with Dan Aykroyd. While this movie doesn't stand out as well as their other films, this was still a lot of fun to watch.

Master Sergeant Ernest G. Bilko is in charge of the motor pool at Fort Baxter, a small US Army base. Exploiting this position, he directs a number of scams ranging from gambling to renting out military vehicles. His commanding officer, Colonel Hall, overlooks Bilko's money making schemes, as he is more concerned with his own affairs. Bad news begins when inspector Major Thorn, Bilko's rival, arrives at the camp and begins to cast scrutiny on Bilko's record. The motivation for Thorn's actions is due to the intense rivalry between the two due to several mishaps in the past, particularly because Thorn's career was ruined due to one of Bilko's scams. Thorn's revenge ensues and ultimately it becomes a battle of wits between the two men. Thorn's reliance on sabotage ultimately leads to his downfall and he is sent to Greenland. Also Bilko's fiancée, Rita, whom Bilko has stood up several times at the altar. Bilko is given an ultimatum to win her back within 30 days or to lose her forever.

I have to say that I did enjoy St. Bilko, it was great seeing this army crew just goof off and enjoying boot camp. I think my favorite scene was when Bilko has to prove that his crew are hard workers and could complete the obstacle course that the other army recruits could do. Just their reactions of course being as if they've never exercised before in their lives was a good laugh. Steve Martin and his fiancée constantly taking a trip up and down the aisle was fun too. Plus this has one of my favorite comedic actors, Phil Hartman, who is again a great watch is always guaranteed to give you a good laugh. While the film may not stand out, this was definitely worth the watch. I would recommend it if you need a good laugh, you're always in good company with Steve Martin, Dan Aykroyd and Phil Hartman, not to mention a baby Chris Rock.

6/10

Steve Martin doesn't do an impersonation of the original Bilko, he puts his own humour and take on the character. It tries too hard to be funny at times, although it did raise a couple of smiles. It feels more like an 80's movie than a 90's, but I did last it out til the end if only to spot a young Chris Rock

Nat Hiken's Sergeant Ernie Bilko is one of those characters who no matter what age, what time, and what army he'll find a way to game the system. I'm sure there's a Bilko somewhere in North Korea's army, he just has to act with quite a bit more discretion.

From the 50s of Eisenhower to the 90s of Clinton, Bilko and his denizens of the motor pool at Fort Baxter are still operating their schemes. Steve Martin steps right into Phil Silvers's shoes if not his glasses.

The party could be over though because Fort Baxter might just be closed because they haven't come through with the development of a new type of tank. In addition Phil Hartman who is a major with some history with Martin is making it a personal crusade to get Martin bounced from the army.

Most of the characters from the TV show are still here if in a different guise on occasion to reflect the diversity of the army in the 90s. I particularly liked Eric Edwards as Private Doberman. Then as now I can't believe that a Doberman could get in the army in the first place.

And in fact it is mentioned that Bilko and girlfriend Gleanne Headly have the longest running engagement since Nathan Detroit and Adelaide. Headly becomes a front on Hartman's war against Bilko.

Dan Aykroyd is Colonel Hall taking Paul Ford's place. Aykroyd doesn't have Ford's eternal Irascibility. He's more resigned to go with the flow with Bilko. But he also doesn't want to see his command shut down.

Newer fans should see this movie as well as the old TV series. They'll like both.

This is actually a very funny movie, one of Steve's funniest movies - up there with Father of the Bride. All the characters, Dan Akroyd, Phil Hartman, even an appearance by Chris Rock make this an extremely enjoyable movie. The Hover Tank was hands down the funniest part. Steve is full of laughs in this movie and acts out the character of Sergeant Bilko superbly. I have watched this movie at least four times and I was still laughing all the way through. This is in fact one of my all time favourite comedies. I have never seen the original and perhaps my judgement of this movie is therefore altered. Yet if you have never seen or even heard of the original and you like Steve's work then you will surely like this. Don't look at the votes rating I'll give this 8/10.

Classic Steve Martin comedy, Sgt. Bilko is a simple and fun movie that I enjoyed even the second time I watched it on TV. They just don't make comedies like they used to.

And even though most of the jokes are silly and stereotypical, the film is made in such a way that it clicks and makes you laugh every time.

It's simple, and it keeps you entertained. And that's what a good comedy is supposed to do.

And Steve Martin is just a joy to watch playing this kind of characters. He just has a natural sense of humor and Sgt. Bilko just comes like a glove to him.

I recommend this to anyone who wants a good laugh.

Even Steve Martin and Dan Aykroyd couldn't save this movie from laying an emu-sized egg. Based on the classic Phil Silvers TV series, it bombed because: A) It was updated to the 1990s, and B) The simple premise of the TV series was turned into a confusing, feeble and silly screenplay.

The original TV series used a small cast of talented actors to portray lovable characters acting out simple yet hilarious pranks. To expand this premise into a 1990s movie was asking for trouble, and it shows. No one could pay me enough to sit through this stinker a second time.

This was one of the worst "comedy" films I have seen for years. Martin can and has done far better. I also think it is an insult to the original Sgt Bilko TV shows, starring the late, great Phil Silvers. This is because it bears little in common with the original. At times I thought I was watching one of the later, abominable Police Academy films. Not impressed.

I've finally seen SGT. BILKO & i enjoyed it, now it's not amazing but it's fun & felt like a mix of "Stripes" & "Police Academy" & had an over-the-top vibe to it all but Steve Martin was actually good as the crazy fun-loving Sgt. Bilko, a guy who is sly & smart & treats the Army Academy as a hustlers playhouse. Now the main reason i wanted to finally watch this was because I'm life-long fan of DAN AYKROYD!!! I grew up watching & loving this guy but "Bilko" was one of his films that i never got around to actually seeing.

Dan Aykroyd plays the gullible & loveable Col. Hall & Aykroyd plays the part fine, he's a nice guy just like Aykroyd in real life & he's always a welcomed presence in Comedies & there's just something nice & comforting hearing his Iconic voice. The chemistry is nice & natural with Aykroyd & Martin here because their good friends in real life as they both worked hard on the Classic comedy show "SNL" back in the day & both genuinely like each other & you can feel that.

I always liked Steve Martin in the 80's comedy Classic "Planes, Trains & Automobiles" with John Candy & the Hilarious "Three Amigos" With Chevy Chase & Martin Short, those are the main films of his i always liked but Martin is a comedy legend in his own right.

We also get another great comedy star here with the Hilarious PHIL HARTMAN (r.i.p) as the Nemesis of the fun-loving Bilko, he plays Major. Thorn & has a vendetta against Bilko for some past trouble & he comes to Bilko's Fort Baxter & things get very funny.

There's plenty of silly humourous bits & fun moments & sometimes it feels abit forced with the humour but "Bilko" is mainly a fun movie, a very 90's Comedy & a sweet film really with three greats of Comedy together. Sgt. Bilko probably won't ever be considered as a Comedy Classic but if you grew up with it or if you love the actors in it then it's a good movie for those reasons & hey it's just some light-hearted fun with everyone game for the crazy antics.

Realistically, the dubbo's have been the stingiest or most disappointing decade for comedy heroes. I've whinged about this before, but the days of reliable comedy icons monopolising the box office on an annual basis appear over.

Consider the 80s and 90s, Eddie Murphy, Steve Martin and Bill Murray, Vs the 00s, Sandler, Ferrell, Stiller, (and I'll throw Carrey in there).

Who will history be more kind to? This brings us to Steve Martin, the master of being fake. Fake happy, fake sincere, fake angry, fake remorseful. In Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, LA Story, Little Shop of Horrors, Leap of Faith, My Blue Heaven (underrated) and Bowfinger you always knew Steve was too everything mentioned above, happy, sincere etc… but he was always convincing enough in a funny way that set him apart from everyone before or since.

I still maintain that Bill Murray and Steve Martin are the two guys I would laugh at regardless of what they were doing, if they were trying to be funny or not.

So why have I wasted words telling you what you probably already know? Because if you don't already like Steve Martin there is a 99% chance that you will find Sgt Bilko very underwhelming, as he makes the film his own.

Steve is Bilko, a corrupt, conniving, deceitful and untrustworthy soldier in command of the motor pool an the army base Fort Baxter, but he is all those things in the most PG friendly Disney way.

I would waste a lot of time describing his mannerisms and what would ordinarily be inane chit chat between he and the officers hell bent on bringing him down, as it is generally not what he says or even how he says it to a point. It is just that he is Steve while he is doing and saying these things, which should be obvious.

I just can't imagine Ferrell being Bilko without hamming and getting near naked or Sandler without yelling and trying all the while to be endearing (there is NO-ONE in comedy that wants to be liked more than Sandler, regardless of who he is playing).

This leaves Stiller as the logical next up, but I just don't think he has the personality to pull it off. Consider this: Stiller's two best roles, a vain, clueless moron model in Zoolander and a vain, clueless moron actor in Tropic Thunder.

Coincidence? Back to Sgt Bilko, you'll have to take my word for this, Sgt Bilko is a paint by numbers Disney comedy that should be pointless. It has cookie cutter characters and situations but again if you like Steve Martin you should get more than a couple of chuckles.

Put it this way, about 5 minutes in Bilko asks a superior officer "Have you lost weight?", if that doesn't turn the corners of your mouth up switch off the DVD because that is about as funny as Sgt Bilko gets, and even that is only funny because of Martin's delivery.

For some reason that made me laugh, and I laughed often enough to want to see this again in the future at some point.

Final Rating – 6.5 / 10. Shouldn't work but the presence of Steve Martin adds value to any film and he does enough here to warrant a rental.

If you liked this (or even if you didn't) check out oneguyrambling.com

In the words of a critic, Ernie Bilko was built out of the bricks of Phil Silvers, so perhaps no one could have succeeded in redoing this concept. But Steve gives it the good old college try. He does acceptably well in behaving as the character requires, but the reason Bilko's gambling gags, for example, evidently worked so well in the past is that Silvers himself was a DEVOTED, passionate gambler. That patented expression of glee of his was REAL. At least this film reminds us to look up the original.

Based on the classic 50s comedy series, the movie plays out like an extended episode, seeing the wiley Bilko (Steve Martin) getting up to wacky money making schemes with his subordinates at a military base while keeping their superior (Dan Ackroyd) out of the loop. This time, it concerns an old rival of Bilko's (Phil Hartman) who is determined to expose Bilko's hijinks, all the while, Bilko deals with finding love and a new top secret weapon.

Possibly a candidate for one of the most boring comedies I've ever sat down to watch, and the fact that this comes from 'Clue' and 'Yes Minister's' Johnathan Lynn makes this all the more inexcusable. Most of the film is completely wooden wordplay, lazy innuedo or poorly edited slapstick, and when it tries to have a plot, it's just a retread of every cheeky rascal/wacky army film comedy (seriously, name a trope and it's there. Crazy soldiers, stupid boss, snarky officer, harebrained schemes that take up more time than actual training, brand new deadly weapon, yadda yadda), and it does nothing new, clever or amusing with them to make the retread vaguely compelling.

Not even the performances or production can save it. Every actor is just coasting by, with Ackroyd on complete autopilot in a thankless role, while Martin and Hartman regurgitate familiar 'smartass' and 'professional pain' routines we've seen many times from them respectively, and Lynn's direction is completely lifeless and televisual which only neuters the gags even more. Of note is an embarrassingly poor use of CG for the super tank that looks like it was ripped from a cut price PS1 game. Honestly, I just can't come up with more as the film is giving me nothing to work with. Among the careers of the people involved, this is an all time low, and I would advise avoiding unless you are a very, very die-hard fan of Martin. I'd happily take 'Pink Panther 1' and '2' over this any time.

Directed by Jonathan Lynn. Starring Steve Martin, Phil Hartman, Dan Aykroyd, Glenne Headly, Daryl Mitchell, Austin Pendleton, John Marshall Jones, Pamela Adlon, Max Casella, Eric Edwards, Brian Leckner, Chris Rock, Cathy Silvers, Richard Herd. (PG)

The lovable army base grifter from "The Phil Silvers Show" is given a 1990s revamp, now played by Steve Martin; no character assassination here, as Martin forgoes mimicry and plays it in a fashion suited to his devilishly charming ways (they share a character name and a few traits, but that's about it). SNL alums Aykroyd and Hartman have their moments, but their talents are often under-utilized; Martin, however, is an energetically slippery force to be reckoned with (he already played an eccentric scam artist in "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels," so this is old hat for him), milking laughs that wouldn't be there for almost any other comic actor. Rarely a comedy riot, and most of the satirical jabs it takes at ineffective military brass are soft and obvious, but the movie is peppered with enough guffaws to hold one's interest throughout. A lot of the most inspired bits are actually tossed off haphazardly by Martin's quick silver-tongue, requiring more attention from the audience than usual for an "amiably amusing" comedy of modest rewards. Phil Silvers' daughter, Cathy, plays one of the officers investigating Bilko's shenanigans.

67/100

OK I'm not an American, but in my humble Scottish opinion Steve Martin is not, never has been, and never will be a funny man as long as our posteriors point in a southerly direction. Phil Silvers as Sergeant Bilko was a funny man, no doubt due to the skilled writers and directors and all the other talented team working characters in the series who contributed perfectly to one of the funniest and dateless situation comedies America has ever produced. How anyone could have the audacity to even attempt to replicate the Phil Silvers character is beyond me. To compound things the exercise was repeated in Martin's unfunny attempt to be Peter Seller's Inspector Clouseau, another abortive attempt, in my opinion, to rekindle a demonstrably unfunny career. Some of your contributers say 'Steve Martin puts his own stamp on the character', to that I would say 'balderdash' , his portrayals will be long forgotten when those of Silvers and Sellars will be treasured for generations to come

Seems to me like most of the negative votes come from fans of the original show.

I am glad I never saw it, because I think this is one of the funniest movies I have ever seen. I love Bilko's character. Martin plays a charismatic, scheming yet kind hearted con artist.

I love his comic timing in this movie. It's definitely my favorite Steve Martin role.

I think part of the reason I like Martin, is for the same reason I like characters like Bugs Bunny. He always comes out on top, and is usually in complete control of a situation. I love that type of role - who does not want to be more like a Sgt Bilko?

I thought almost every scene was funny. I liked pretty much every actor in it. It's not for serious people. I sometimes wonder why serious people bother to rate comedies at all - some people were born with no sense of humor, from what I can tell.

For those people who dislike (or are bored of) put down humor, sex humor, or gross out humor, this is none of those (Not that I don't mind some of that, but a change of pace is always welcome.)

It's a politer, lighter, silly humor almost cartoonish, in a good way.

I have seen this movie at least three times, and still laugh at it.

So if you are not a fan of the TV show, I think you will like this in spite of the shockingly low review of this movie.

Sgt. Bilko (Steve Martin) commands the motor pool at Fort Baxter. He's got gambling, games, and renting out vehicles to earn money. Colonel John Hall (Dan Aykroyd) is willing to overlook his outrageous antics or more likely is too incompetent to find the violations. Private Wally Holbrook is a real mechanic who is new to the base. Bilko keeps forgetting to attend his own wedding to Rita Robbins (Glenne Headly). The Pentagon sends Major Colin Thorn (Phil Hartman) to observe the new hover tank. Thorn had an ugly history with Bilko when his actions banished Thorn to Greenland. The hover tank works poorly. When Thorn finds out that Bilko is on the base, he schemes to take revenge.

The movie starts with a lot of fun. Martin's irreverence is terrific. I wish the other characters get more stuff to do. It has a funny guy like Chris Rock and he's nothing more than a stiff shirt. Daryl Mitchell is not funny enough. There seems to be some good comedic actors but this is not a group comedy. This is mostly Martin. Hartman is good. The comedy fades a bit in the second half. The movie has a few good laughs.

This was a disappointing movie. Considering the material---army life is always good for a laugh---and the stars, this movie should have been a fall down laughfest. It was worth a couple of chuckles, at best. Steve Martin has been much funnier than this and it appears that Dan Ackroyd should stick to dramatic roles, where he might follow Robin Williams' lead and someday win an Oscar.

I'm really impressed by the thought and care others have put into reviewing this movie. So, here's my input. I'm a huge Steve Martin fan & he's a comedy giant, but. He ain't Bilko and never will be. Steve Martin is essentially a well-educated, sophisticated, upper middle-class Californian whereas Phil Silvers (RIP) was a hustling, streetwise, New York jew who came from the the streets and learned his craft from the ground up. The experience Silvers brought to the character made Ernie Bilko such an icon. I guess he'd have played a wealthy LA lawyer just as badly as Martin plays Bilko(?) As others have said (and better than me) Phil Silvers WAS Bilko. You can't improve on perfection. I can't understand why the makers of this film even tried? What I do like about this remake (accidentally) is that it's made me realise exactly what was SO good about the original. Firstly, Martin's character is nothing more than a slippery, greasy, self-obsessed con-man. Silvers played the role very differently. The original Bilko was a hustler because he came from an environment where you either hustled or starved, and don't forget Silvers' Bilko always cared about his troops. In episode after episode, when it came down to it Ernie Bilko would put his men before his "instincts". My personal favorite was the episode where Bilko uses his dubious talents to out con the con-men who've cheated Doberman out of an inheritence. I don't see any human qualities in the shallow Bilko as played by Martin. Then there are the minor players in the original series. Have you ever noticed, all the privates & corporals are guys 15 or 20 years older than real soldiers would be in those ranks. Even the wonderful Dan Ackroyd lacks the priceless confusion of the original. "Bilko-world" is surreal & I'm sad anyone thought such a comedy classic could ever be remade.

Fans of Private Benjamin will howl during Sgt. Bilko, a comedy about the most ill-prepared army unit ever. Led by Steve Martin, who prefers to set up gambling rings and let everyone hang out at the base like they're on vacation, they'd be sunk if they were ever under inspection. Unfortunately, Phil Hartman, an old foe of Steve's, shows up for an impromptu inspection. The only soldier who takes the army seriously is Daryl Mitchell, a newcomer who enjoys his post and all the regulations. Assembled before Phil, the men slouch and stand in hardly uniformed lines. Steve tells them, "You've seen real soldiers before; just do what they do." When everyone stares blankly, he gives a macho yell and orders, "Alright, let's do the grab the rifle by the bottom thing!"

I'll admit that the beginning of this movie seems pretty stupid. As it continues and the men are forced to shape up, the humor really takes off. Steve's slick conman dialogue is pretty funny, as he's truly incapable of turning off his angle. If you liked him in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, you'll like him in this. Dan plays a superior officer torn between his affection for Steve and his devotion to the rules. Glenne is Steve's perpetual fiancé, who starts a romance with Phil to make him jealous. She's very cute in this one as the innocent victim, like in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, and as Steve tries to talk her out of pursuing Phil, he quips, "Think of the children! You're a Catholic and he's an a*****e; how would you raise them?"

Even if you think this is going to be silly, give it a chance. It was funnier than I thought it was going to be, so you might end up liking it too!

I used to watch the TV series on occasion, so there is the inevitable comparison. I prefer the characters as portrayed in this movie over the ones in the TV series. Just like the series, there are not a lot of laughs, but the ones there are, are good ones. It comes down to - did I like the characters? I did. Did I like the story? Not really. Would I watch it again? Only in bits and pieces. This sounds pretty negative, but I did enjoy the movie more than I thought I would, and I am glad I gave it a chance. I thought it was better than "Joe Somebody" , but not good enough to rate it higher.