Police Academy 3: Back in Training (1986)

Admirable film.

I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

Ok... Let's be honest. It cannot be the best movie but is quite enjoyable. The movie has the potential to develop a great plot for future movies

And then there were three. Steve Guttenberg said "no" to being in this or any other sequels that may follow, a good choice. Quickly rushed into production to capitalize on the successful first films. From an artistic standpoint, there were some plot elements and character developments I didn't think were totally needed. They do however drive the story, which seemed to be their purpose, so I can accept them. This is probably the worst of the sequels, with nothing to laugh at. By this film the series became even more unwatchable and somehow even more redundant. It's the kind of film that tries to show that a small story can be much more meaningful than a larger one -- and fails.

Steve Guttenberg and the rest of the police academy alumni from the first film that graduated to the force in the second film return to the academy to help Commandant Lassard (Punky Brewster's dad). Apparently the state can only afford one police academy so Lassard's cadets must compete with another academy, run by Mauser (Art Metrano) from the last film. Pretty flimsy plot but it puts our favorites back in the familiar surroundings of the first film, presumably with the hope of recapturing that movie's magic. There are new recruits this time around, with the standouts being Brian Tochi and part 2 returnees Bobcat Goldthwait and Tim Kazurinksy. Nice to see Leslie Easterbrook back. She was missed in part 2. Beautiful Shawn Weatherly, a former Miss USA and Miss Universe, is Guttenberg's love interest here. There are some repeated gags and jokes from the previous two movies, as one might expect from a sequel. The series is already starting to get desperate. Still, the likable cast and pleasant tone keeps things light and enjoyable.

Commandant Lassard's Police Academy is in jeopardy to be closed.That must be prevented.There are some new recruits, including the old gang member Zed.Police Academy 3: Back in Training is from 1986.It's the second and the last of these movies directed by Jerry Paris, who died that year.There is pretty much the old cast there with Steve Guttenberg playing Mahoney.And Bubba Smith playing Hightower (also seen in drag).David Graf is Tackleberry.Michael Winslow is Jones.Marion Ramsey plays Hooks.Leslie Easterbrook plays Debbie Callahan.George Gaynes is there with his gold wish playing Eric Lassard.Art Metrano reprises his role as Mauser.As does Lance Kinsey as Proctor.As does Tim Kazurinsky playing the geeky Sweetchuck.And Bobcat Goldthwait, who was seen in the previous part as the hyperactive Zed, reprises his role.Shawn Weatherly plays Cadet Karen Adams.Bruce Mahler is Douglas Fackler and Debralee Scott his wife, who wants to be a cop too.Ed Nelson plays Governor Neilson.Brian Tochi is Elvis Nogata.Andrew Paris is Bud Kirkland and Arthur Batanides his father, and their beating up each other again.George S. Robertson plays the part of Chief Henry J. Hurst.And Georgina Spelvin is seen as Hooker again.This is a very nice sequel with a lot of funny stuff.Like Proctor's naked adventure.Or the karate moves by Jones and Nogata.And some great action, like the chase on water in the end.Not recommended for people with no sense of humor.

Part three brings back some of the old and also promotes incidental characters to bigger parts. Zed, Sweetchuck, Fackler's Wife, Tackelberry's brother in law etc. are all now becoming police officer. It doesn't add as much intrigue as you would think, as most of the humor still relies on the characters we know and love. Mauser is the villain again, but is joined by the 2 ass-kissing cadets from the first film. The two academies going head-to-head is never really given enough room to develop, because we only see things from one side. We are just told how well the other academy is doing. It should be enjoyable enough for fans.