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) exemplifies carefully calibrated story structure, characteristic of Daniel Petrie Jr.'s storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-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.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Bones Conway
Jack Kaufman
Christine Jones
Fred Ostroff
Sergeant Stern
Colonel Greerson
Main Cast & Characters
Bones Conway
Played by Pauly Shore
A slacker electronics store owner who joins the Army Reserves for a water park deal, learns responsibility through desert warfare.
Jack Kaufman
Played by Andy Dick
Bones' best friend and business partner who reluctantly follows him into military service.
Christine Jones
Played by Lori Petty
A competent and determined female soldier who earns respect in a male-dominated environment.
Fred Ostroff
Played by David Alan Grier
An overweight, insecure recruit who finds confidence through military training and combat experience.
Sergeant Stern
Played by Esai Morales
A tough, no-nonsense drill instructor who whips the ragtag recruits into soldiers.
Colonel Greerson
Played by Brendan Fraser
The commanding officer who oversees the reserve unit with military discipline.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Bones Conway and Jack Kaufman are slacker salesmen working at Gus's Electronics, unmotivated and directionless, dreaming of easy money to open a water sports store.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 10 minutes when After being fired from their jobs, Bones and Jack desperately need money and see an Army Reserve recruitment ad promising big bonuses and "one weekend a month.".. At 11% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 22 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to Bones and Jack sign the enlistment papers and enter basic training, stepping into the military world and realizing it's much harder than advertised., moving from reaction to action.
At 45 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 49% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat The unit is unexpectedly deployed to Libya/Chad for a real mission due to their specialized water purification training, turning their "weekend warrior" fantasy into actual combat danger., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 67 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The squad is captured by enemy forces or faces seemingly certain death in the desert, representing the ultimate consequence of Bones and Jack's irresponsibility., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 73 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Bones has a realization that combines his street-smart hustler skills with newfound military courage, devising a plan to escape or fight back using both old and new abilities., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
In the Army Now's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. 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 Bad Guys, Ella Enchanted and The Evening Star. For more Daniel Petrie Jr. analyses, see Toy Soldiers.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Bones Conway and Jack Kaufman are slacker salesmen working at Gus's Electronics, unmotivated and directionless, dreaming of easy money to open a water sports store.
Theme
Gus or a customer makes a comment about responsibility and what it means to be a real man, foreshadowing the boys' need to grow up.
Worldbuilding
Establish Bones and Jack's loser lifestyle: failed salesmen, desperate for money, no respect from their boss or community, and their unrealistic dreams of becoming businessmen.
Disruption
After being fired from their jobs, Bones and Jack desperately need money and see an Army Reserve recruitment ad promising big bonuses and "one weekend a month."
Resistance
The boys debate joining the Army Reserve, are sold by the recruiter's promises, go through the enlistment process, and prepare for what they think will be easy training.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Bones and Jack sign the enlistment papers and enter basic training, stepping into the military world and realizing it's much harder than advertised.
Mirror World
The boys meet their drill sergeant and platoon mates including Christine Jones, who represents the competence and dedication they lack, challenging their slacker worldview.
Premise
Fish-out-of-water comedy as the slackers struggle through basic training: obstacle courses, marching, weapons training, and military discipline, providing the promised fun and games.
Midpoint
The unit is unexpectedly deployed to Libya/Chad for a real mission due to their specialized water purification training, turning their "weekend warrior" fantasy into actual combat danger.
Opposition
In hostile territory, the squad faces real danger: desert conditions, enemy patrols, equipment failures, and the boys' incompetence now has life-or-death stakes as they search for lost soldiers.
Collapse
The squad is captured by enemy forces or faces seemingly certain death in the desert, representing the ultimate consequence of Bones and Jack's irresponsibility.
Crisis
In their darkest moment as prisoners or surrounded, Bones and Jack must confront their cowardice and selfishness, realizing they must become the soldiers their squad needs.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Bones has a realization that combines his street-smart hustler skills with newfound military courage, devising a plan to escape or fight back using both old and new abilities.
Synthesis
The boys execute their clever plan, rescue their squad or complete the mission, using improvisation and teamwork, proving themselves as real soldiers and earning respect.
Transformation
Back home or at a ceremony, Bones and Jack stand proud in uniform, transformed from irresponsible slackers to men of honor, mirroring the opening but showing their growth.