Film Review - McHale's Navy

Hollywood's trend of making old television series into motion pictures continues unabated.

The 1960s series McHale's Navy was set in the South Pacific during World War II. McHale and his men were not exactly G.I. sailors but they could get the job done. Their commanding officer, Capt. Binghamton, was very G.I. and couldn't get the job done.

The film McHale's Navy is set in the Carribean Sea present day. The themes of the TV series have all been translated perfectly. Tom Arnold is McHale. He's quit the Navy and is puttering around in a 1942 PT boat, yes, that 1942 PT boat.

McHale is selling everything he can with his name on it. McHale Ale, McHale Ice Cream, you name it. What we learn is McHale is taking care of a village on the nearby island.

Enter Capt. Binghamton, who shuts down McHale's operation. Dean Stockwell is perfectly cast with a high nasally voice. Binghamton is referred to as, "The one who sank the Love Boat." He is incompetent and out for glory.

McHale is a man of morals and principles. Yeah, he's not spit and polish. Yeah, he thumbs his nose at authority. But McHale never loses sight of what he is doing and why. You never wonder why you want him to win.

McHale and his men must stop the second-best terrorist in the world, played by Tim Curry. Curry is completely insane and extremely funny. He's holding his shrink's family hostage, and as it turns out, has a score to settle with McHale.

OK, this isn't a David Lean film. But we knew that when we walked in. We wanted to see a "dumb" movie. We got more than we expected.

Slight Suction!

Film Facts

Directed by Bryan Spicer

Released in 1997

MPAA Rating: PG

Reviewed by Mongo