MCHALE’S NAVY
A rowdy naval comedy better watched at home.
Should You Watch It?
The answer is fairly simple: this is a better home rental than a family trip to the theater. McHale’s Navy has a likable cast, a healthy budget, and a few pleasures, especially Tom Arnold’s sympathetic performance and Ernest Borgnine’s strong appearance. But the movie’s story is incoherent, its humor is adolescent, and its explosions often replace character development and genuine emotion.
The PG rating also does not mean the movie is free of concerns. The film includes numerous scenes of gunfire and explosions, two men killed off screen, sexualized magazine images, alcohol use, lying, and one scene in a house of Voodoo.
Teenagers and nostalgic adults may find enough familiar naval comedy to make a home viewing worthwhile. For younger children or families wanting more redeeming content, choose something else.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESMcHale is enjoying retirement on the island of San Ysidro, coaching little league, donating blood, and frustrating his former superiors. His quiet life changes when international terrorist Vladikov targets the island as a base for his plans to rule the world.
McHale is called back into active duty and reunites with his band of Navy misfits. Their mission takes them from San Ysidro to Cuba as they prepare to face Vladikov.
Is It Any Good?
Two stars means the movie has some pleasures but falls short overall. The cast supplies most of them. Tom Arnold is likable in a nicely understated performance, Ernest Borgnine is strong in his role, and the film benefits from a good cast and healthy budget.
The main problem is the lack of a coherent story. The movie becomes a confused mess of storylines, with characters mugging for the camera and escaping explosions instead of developing meaningful character or emotion. The potential is clear, but more is wrong with the film than right.
The Worldview
The source review describes the film as having a moral worldview, while also noting one scene in a house of Voodoo. It identifies lying as part of the film’s content but provides no fuller analysis of the movie’s moral convictions or spiritual conclusions.
The film’s central situation involves military duty, loyalty among misfit comrades, and opposition to an international terrorist. The review does not explain how the movie develops or resolves those ideas in moral or biblical terms.
Scripture calls viewers to reject falsehood and speak truthfully: “Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor” (Ephesians 4:25).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
Moral worldview with one scene in a house of Voodoo; 11 obscenities (mostly mild) & 1 vulgarity; numerous scenes of gunfire & explosions, & two men are killed off screen; no nudity but men look at calendar of bikini clad women & man looks at playboy; alcohol use; and, lying
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
The content guide mentions lying. Why does Scripture connect truthfulness with life together as neighbors?
Ephesians 4:25 · Colossians 3:9–10The movie places military duty and loyalty among its central situations. What does Scripture say about serving others with courage and humility?
Philippians 2:3–4 · Galatians 5:13The film includes a scene in a house of Voodoo. How should Christians think about occult practices and spiritual power apart from God?
Deuteronomy 18:10–12 · Acts 19:18–20The movie contains frequent gunfire, explosions, and off-screen deaths. How can entertainment shape the way we think about violence and what is worth watching?
Psalm 101:3 · Philippians 4:8The Final Word
McHale’s Navy has a likable cast and a few mild pleasures, but its confused story and objectionable content keep it from being a strong family choice. Watch it at home, if it suits your older viewers, rather than making it a family theater outing. WAIT FOR HOME. For better options, see.
