Stripes is an anarchic slob movie, a celebration of all that is irreverent, reckless, foolhardy, undisciplined, and occasionally scatological. It's a lot of fun.

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

Murray's initial transition from the small screen is a classic.

William Thomas

Empire

Finally, a word about John Candy, the Second City-trained performer who has worked with great success on the SCTV shows. Candy, the plump one of the troupe, is more than just a jolly fat man in Stripes. He becomes one of Murray's allies, because his comic persona allows him to be as sharp-witted as the next man. This is a switch, because the fat man in a comedy usually is the butt of a lot of physical humor...The point is this: Candy deserves to star in his own movie. He's that funny.

Gene Siskel

Chicago Tribune