Directed by
C.B. Harding
Made by
Lionsgate
When three small-town National Guardsmen, Larry McCoy (Larry the Cable Guy), Bill Little (Bill Engvall), and Everett Shackleford (DJ Qualls), accidentally find themselves in Mexico instead of Iraq, their bizarre misadventures lead them to take on a gang of corrupt Bandidos while “liberating” a local village.
Larry, struggling after losing his job, faces the news from his girlfriend Karen that she is pregnant with another man’s child. Bill grapples with marital issues involving his wife Connie, while Everett finds himself living in a storage locker after a mishap with his former job as a police officer. To help his friend heal from his heartbreak, Bill shows Larry a rather unconventional method of moving on—by shooting the gifts he bought for Karen.
Meanwhile, an Army Colonel requests additional troops for Fallujah, leading Master Sergeant Kilgore to assess the local reserve base where Larry, Bill, and Everett are stationed. After a grueling training course, they are unceremoniously sent off to Fallujah. However, a twist of fate finds them dozing off in a Humvee aboard a cargo plane, which soon leads to chaos when a bout of turbulence causes them to tumble out, with Kilgore still attached to medical supplies.
Upon waking the next morning, the trio believes they have landed in Iraq. A series of misunderstandings leads them to mistakenly bury a fellow soldier, Kilgore, thinking he has died. Their morose eulogy is accompanied by an awkward prayer from Everett about Powerball. Gearing up for what they think is combat, Larry humorously quips, > “All right ladies…Let’s Git R Done.” Yet, in a comical turn, they have actually landed in Central Mexico.
As they navigate their surroundings with a map of Iraq, their misbelief intensifies when Everett takes aim at two Mexicans and accidentally kills their mule instead. Unexpectedly, the Mexicans ask for their help in saving their village from criminal elements. Meanwhile, Kilgore re-emerges alive, realizing he’s in Mexico after an unpleasant encounter with a canteen filled with urine.
Determined to aid the villagers, Larry, Bill, and Everett concoct a half-baked plan to confront the “Iraqi Insurgents,” only to discover that their true enemy is a band of local thugs led by the villainous Carlos Santana (played by Danny Trejo). As their “Operation: Sombrero” unfolds, Bill’s attempt to call for help leads to him being captured. With quick thinking, Larry reassures him that they can take down Santana, which leads to an epic showdown.
The climax arrives as the town prepares to defend themselves against Santana and his bandits, culminating in the destruction of a Sherman tank through sheer luck. Amidst the chaos, Larry heroically rescues Maria, the mayor’s daughter, which leads to a kiss that sparks romance while additional U.S. troops finally arrive to apprehend the remaining insurgents.
Ultimately, the National Guardsmen emerge as unlikely heroes, receiving Silver Stars for their bravery, while Bill earns a Purple Heart from a comically unfortunate injury. Life takes surprising turns as Sergeant Kilgore relocates to Miami to start a private training camp, Everett finds fame as a Luchador called “Carne Asada” in Mexico, and Bill wins a settlement that moves him to Beverly Hills. Meanwhile, Larry returns to Mexico to marry Maria and opens a restaurant, “Larry’s Mess Hall,” in Cabo San Lucas, while Santana ends up in rehab, re-emerging as a ventriloquist, showcasing the unexpected outcomes of their wild adventure.
Larry Receives Bad News
Larry McCoy faces a significant emotional blow when his girlfriend, Karen, reveals she is pregnant with another man's child. This news hits him hard as he struggles with the aftermath of losing his job.
Bill's Marriage Troubles
Bill Little is dealing with complications in his marriage with his wife Connie. The strain in their relationship is evident, adding to the tense atmosphere among the trio.
Everett's Living Situation
Everett Shackleford finds himself living in a storage locker due to a previous mishap with his job as a police officer. This unfortunate situation reflects the struggles each of the guardsmen is facing in their personal lives.
Shooting Gifts for Closure
In an unconventional attempt to help Larry move on, Bill suggests shooting the gifts he had bought for Karen. This bizarre method becomes a comedic highlight and offers a needed distraction from their troubles.
Deployment Orders Issued
An Army Colonel calls for extra troops to be sent to Fallujah, prompting Master Sergeant Kilgore to evaluate the local reserve base. The guardsmen undergo a rigorous training course, preparing them for deployment.
Chaos on the Cargo Plane
In a comical twist of fate, the trio falls asleep in a Humvee loaded onto a cargo plane. Turbulence causes the Humvee to tumble out, and they find themselves lost in an unexpected location.
Awakening in Mexico
Upon waking up, Larry, Bill, and Everett mistakenly believe they have arrived in Iraq. Their confusion leads them to conduct a morose eulogy for Master Sergeant Kilgore, whom they think has died.
An Accidental Kill
In their continued misunderstanding of the situation, Everett accidentally kills a mule instead of aiming at two Mexicans. The locals subsequently request their help to save their village from criminal elements.
Kilgore's Return
Master Sergeant Kilgore unexpectedly returns, having discovered he is in Mexico after a strange encounter. His reappearance adds to the chaos as the guardsmen decide to assist the villagers.
Operation: Sombrero
With a poorly conceived plan, the trio gears up to confront what they think are Iraqi Insurgents, only to discover that the real threat is a gang led by Carlos Santana. The misadventures continue as they prepare for battle.
Bill Gets Captured
In the midst of their operation, Bill is captured while trying to call for help. This critical moment raises the stakes, as Larry and Everett must devise a plan to save him.
The Climax: Town Defense
As the town braces for an attack from Santana’s gang, a series of unexpected events lead to the lucky destruction of a Sherman tank. The climax showcases the chaos and the guardsmen's bravery.
Larry Saves Maria
During the chaotic defense, Larry heroically rescues Maria, the mayor's daughter. Their kiss sparks a romance, adding a sweet twist to the action-packed conclusion.
Unlikely Heroes
Post-battle, the National Guardsmen are recognized as heroes, receiving Silver Stars for their bravery. Bill humorously earns a Purple Heart from a rather unfortunate accident, highlighting the irony of their journey.
New Beginnings
In the aftermath, Kilgore relocates to Miami to start a training camp while Everett gains fame as a Luchador named 'Carne Asada.' Larry opens a restaurant in Cabo San Lucas, solidifying their unexpected transformations.
Larry McCoy (Larry the Cable Guy)
Larry is a small-town Guardsman struggling with personal issues, including heartbreak and unemployment. He displays resilience and humor, making light of challenging situations as he navigates his newfound responsibilities. Larry's character evolves as he takes on a heroic role, ultimately finding love in a turbulent time.
Bill Little (Bill Engvall)
Bill is a supportive friend dealing with marital problems, providing comic relief through his interactions. His approach to helping Larry move on reflects his loyalty, yet he often finds himself in awkward situations. Throughout their adventure, Bill's character showcases growth as he confronts challenges head-on.
Everett Shackleford (DJ Qualls)
Everett is a quirky character with a troubled past who brings humor through his awkwardness. Living in a storage locker at the start, he represents the comedic misfit among the trio. His unexpected courage surfaces during critical moments, showcasing personal growth throughout the film.
Time period
The story unfolds in a contemporary setting with references to modern military operations and personal struggles. The characters face immediate challenges related to their relationships and military duties, providing a humorous exploration of mistaken purpose in their new environment.
Location
Mexico, Central Mexico, Cabo San Lucas
The movie takes place primarily in Central Mexico, where the trio mistakenly believes they are in Iraq. The vibrant landscapes contrast with the chaos they bring to the village that seeks their help. Cabo San Lucas, known for its beautiful beaches and lively atmosphere, serves as a pivotal location for the film's ending.
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Misadventure
The movie centers around the theme of misadventure as the protagonists find themselves in absurd situations due to misunderstandings. Their accidental arrival in Mexico leads to unexpected challenges and humorous antics, showcasing how fate can lead to unintentional heroism. This theme resonates through their misguided intentions and the hilarious consequences that unfold.
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Romance
Romance emerges as a subtle yet significant theme, particularly with Larry's growing affection for Maria, the mayor's daughter. Their relationship blossoms amidst chaos, symbolizing hope and connection in unlikely circumstances. The climax reinforces the idea that love can thrive even in the most unexpected situations.
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Bravery
Despite their comical incompetence, the National Guardsmen embody bravery as they rise to protect the villagers from threats. Their actions, albeit misguided, ultimately lead to them being recognized as heroes. This theme reflects on the courage found in ordinary individuals when faced with extraordinary challenges.
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