Police Academy (1984)

Thanks for the memories!

As Good As It Gets

Let me be very fair here, this is not the best movie in my opinion. But, this movie is fun, it has purpose and is very enjoyable to watch.

There's no way I can possibly love it entirely but I just think its ridiculously bad, but enjoyable at the same time.

Before this particular film series went on for too long, the first one is actually capable of being funny at times. It is a madcap, rather crude and broad kind of comedy. Subtlety clearly was never going to feature in the story. Some of the laughs tend to result from some decidedly explicit and vulgar humour. For those who can take it, you will enjoy this film. My favourite performance is that of G.W Bailey as the rather kooky Lieutenant Harris. Being a classically trained actor of the theatre, he still displays a natural flair for comedy. Steve Guttenberg is very much a name from the ancient past. In his day, he appeared in a few films that were successful at the box office. By the early 90s, he had practically vanished off the scene. He makes for a good leading man in "Police Academy" and wisely uses a different acting approach regarding the comedy. Most of the main cast are totally unknown in today's world, apart from Kim Cattrall. She is no actress but a good distraction all the same! The pace is a steady one and it helps to maintain the comedy. You will never see these kinds of people in jobs that require responsibility, including that of being a police officer. Such a geeky and offbeat motley crue but they manage to get by - just about. The climax is a good one as I enjoyed the action.

If you've ever wanted to know how the real police academy operates then look no further. Police academy, home to the newest recruits, and also a new way of allowing normal civilians to make a dream come true. Heritage has shown that most academies look for those who have stamina, strength, the right height, right weight, and Johnsons. Yet as the times change so do the police forces. Much like this film who shows that no more discrimination is allowed among the young cadets. Which brings us to the protagonist Carey Mahoney (Steve Guttenberg). A brash trouble maker who pulls pranks long enough to finally get himself thrown into the academy to become a better citizen. How will the city survive? Along with Mahoney comes a motley crew of misfits misunderstood by society such as Marvell Jones (Michael Winslow) who usually passes the time by making sound effects that sound so real you would think the sounds were authentic. Such as gun fire, harmonicas, or even an arcade game. In between these two are other characters such as Tackleberry (David Graf) Hightower (Bubba Smith) or Hooks (Marion Ramsey). Put these people together you get the next generation of cop that most would sacrifice their life for to keep them in their neighbourhood.Although learning is part of the ritual, for which you will need a rough, tough, and hardened Lieutenant Harris (G. W. Bailey) and his sidekick who is not only beautiful but cruel as Harris is Sergeant Callahan (Leslie Easterbrook) Together they make the best drill instructors this side of Siberia with their relentless training regimes of push ups, sit ups, running, push ups, obstacle training, push ups, and more. But also there are the butt kissers such as the two squad leaders such a Copeland, and Blanks who during this feature gets dancing lessons by some very mean looking S+M Blue Oyster club members.Put it all in one can you have one hell of a thrill ride from frame one to six thousand. Full of laughs, action, and great actors such as the most beloved academy leader Commandant Lassard (George Gaynes) who only wants to see his cadets graduate with Honourable pride. Police academy was one of the top grossing films during the eighties, which inspired many people from all walks of life to enlist hoping to become the next Carey Mahoney. Yet to do that one only has to park a car sideways, and listen to Frankie Goes To Hollywood. Since the first film it spawned five more instalments making it one of the successful franchises in recent years including their own animated series. To remake this kind of humour would need some very intelligent writers that do not need CGI or special effects, only cut throat humour that can make an audience laugh from start to finish.However to make it work for the Commandant position since the passing of George Gaynes it will be some time before it can actually get off the ground. In the mean time sit back, and enjoy a real gem from the eighties as Police Academy breaks all the rules, with gut busting laughs, and fun. Highly recommended for ages fourteen and above.

Released in 1984, "Police Academy" details the amusing misadventures that take police at a police academy when the mayoress removes the conventional requirements for joining the force. No longer is sex, weight, height, etc. a factor, which opens the door for a wide range of recruits – mostly misfits – including those played by Steve Guttenberg, Kim Cattrall, Michael Winslow, Bubba Smith, Donovan Scott, David Graf and Marion Ramsey. G.W. Bailey and Leslie Easterbrook play trainers while George Gaynes is on hand as the commandant.I judge comedies by how funny they are and "Police Academy" has a few laugh-out-loud scenes with the rest being consistently amusing. Steve Guttenberg is a strong protagonist and it's cool seeing Kim Cattrall when she was so young. I like the fact that you get to know many of the recruits; you start caring for them and whether or not they'll make it. There's a little bit of nudity and raunch that I could do without, but that's to be expected with a movie like this. In any case, it's not the bulk of the picture, which focuses on goofy and dumb humor. The ending leaves you with a good feeling.The film runs 96 minutes and was shot in Toronto, Ontario and nearby Brampton.GRADE: B-

First things first: I fully agree on the bad reviews about the sequels .. but this one is different. The first Police Academy Movie comes up with lots of funny ideas (mostly slapstick gags) and even an not to uninteresting plot. But unlike the other PA parts this one doesn't exaggerate the slapstick humor keeping gags and story on a balanced level. As far as i can see it most of the bad reviews here like so often resulted out of wrong expectations. This movie is not to be intended to be a smart and sharp satire but rather just a movie for simple unpretentious entertainment. If you only are able to laugh about movies that mentally challenge you Don't WATCH THIS ONE or you gonna waste your time/money.