In the Army Now
Bones Conway and Jack Kaufman, two misguided youths, join the reserves to make some easy money for their entrepreneurial dreams. Unfortunately, no sooner than they finish basic training they find themselves at war as part of the water purification team.
The film earned $28.9M at the global box office.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
In the Army Now (1994) showcases precise plot construction, characteristic of Daniel Petrie Jr.'s storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 11-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 31 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.0, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Bones and Jack are slacker salesmen at an electronics store, failing at their jobs and content with their aimless lives in Southern California.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when Bones and Jack get fired from their electronics store jobs, losing their only source of income and forcing them to find a new way to fund their water sports dream.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
At 46 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 51% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat The reserves are unexpectedly activated and deployed to North Africa during the Gulf War crisis. What was supposed to be weekend duty becomes real combat deployment. The stakes become life and death., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 68 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The squad is captured by enemy forces or faces imminent death in the desert. Their mentor figure or fellow soldier is killed or critically wounded. Everything appears lost, and their foolishness has led to catastrophe., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 73 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. The finale: Bones and Jack execute their rescue plan, using ingenuity and newly-learned skills to overcome enemy forces, save their squad, and complete their mission. They prove their transformation through action., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
In the Army Now's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 11 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping In the Army Now against these established plot points, we can identify how Daniel Petrie Jr. utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish In the Army Now within the comedy genre.
Daniel Petrie Jr.'s Structural Approach
Among the 2 Daniel Petrie Jr. films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.2, reflecting strong command of classical structure. In the Army Now takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Daniel Petrie Jr. filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Daniel Petrie Jr. analyses, see Toy Soldiers.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Bones and Jack are slacker salesmen at an electronics store, failing at their jobs and content with their aimless lives in Southern California.
Theme
A character mentions that sometimes you have to grow up and take responsibility, foreshadowing the journey from boys to men that Bones and Jack will undergo.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to Bones and Jack's failed lives: terrible at sales, living paycheck to paycheck, pursuing ridiculous dreams of opening a water sports shop in the desert. We meet their world of incompetence and delusion.
Disruption
Bones and Jack get fired from their electronics store jobs, losing their only source of income and forcing them to find a new way to fund their water sports dream.
Resistance
The duo discovers Army Reserve recruitment promises easy money, one weekend a month service, and a signing bonus. They debate joining, resist the idea of military discipline, but are lured by the cash incentive.
Act II
ConfrontationPremise
The fun and games of basic training: fish-out-of-water comedy as the slackers bumble through drills, weapons training, and military protocol. They slowly begin to earn respect and discover unexpected capabilities.
Midpoint
The reserves are unexpectedly activated and deployed to North Africa during the Gulf War crisis. What was supposed to be weekend duty becomes real combat deployment. The stakes become life and death.
Opposition
In the desert, the squad faces harsh conditions, enemy threats, and mission challenges. Their incompetence now has real consequences. Bones and Jack's immaturity endangers the team, and they face rejection from their unit.
Collapse
The squad is captured by enemy forces or faces imminent death in the desert. Their mentor figure or fellow soldier is killed or critically wounded. Everything appears lost, and their foolishness has led to catastrophe.
Crisis
Bones and Jack hit rock bottom emotionally, confronting their selfishness and immaturity. They must decide who they want to be: remain children or become the men their team needs them to be.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
The finale: Bones and Jack execute their rescue plan, using ingenuity and newly-learned skills to overcome enemy forces, save their squad, and complete their mission. They prove their transformation through action.