Mutant Reviewers from Hell do
“You see, it's a matter of the mind being mightier than the bosom.”

1986 PG / Comedy Directed by: Jerry Paris Starring: Steve Guttenberg, Bubba Smith, David Graf, Michael Winslow

Tagline

Run for cover!

Summary Capsule

It's a tale of two academies; will the good, goofy guys win, or the smarmy dudes triumph?

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Justin's Rating: Domo, domo
Justin's Review: Believe it or not, but the Police Academy series actually does have some really funny jokes that have withstood the test of time. It’s not the fault of the better flicks that the bastard step-children (Part 7, you rotten egg!) have rewritten history to say that this whole experience was universally bad. It’s just the fault of your best friend Willy, who’s not really your friend — he just likes you for your video games and your endless supplies of pudding cups.

"There’s a saying that goes, if it’s broke, don’t fix it… and if it got slightly broke, reformat your hard drive and reinstall the original discs that worked."

After plowing through reviewing this seven-part series in non-chronological order (I think I did them 4, 1, 2, 5, 6, 7 and 3), I arrive at my final review that’s back before things went really sour. It’s actually startling, after suffering through parts 6&7, to be seeing the words "Police Academy" and doing far more laughing than wincing. Police Academy 3: Back In Training retains some of the sly, witty humor that made these earlier films a hit (humor that would eventually degrade into a non-stop slapstick Twister party).

There’s a saying that goes, if it’s broke, don’t fix it… and if it got slightly broke, reformat your hard drive and reinstall the original discs that worked. Police Academy 2 suffered from a much lower budget, a lack of Lassard and the non-police academy setting. So the filmmakers rolled the clock back and tried less to reinvent part 3 as a new animal, but instead to recall all the best aspects of the first film while putting it into a PG mode.

We return back to the infamous academy, where a new batch of recruits roll in, and are instructed by some of our favorite recurring characters (and, let’s face it, some not-so-favorite-but-they-kept-hanging-on characters). New recruits include Brother-In-Law of Tackleberry, Japanese Guy, crazy Zed (rehabilitated from Police Academy 2), and meek Sweetchuck (also from PA2). Zed is possibly the greatest asset to this series, as he literally goes bonkers in each scene and makes it hilarious to watch — don’t miss his midnight bongo solo in the dorm room!

This movie feels more like a comfy 80’s comedy and less of a tedious crime caper genre, mostly because the bulk of the film pits Lassard’s academy against the somewhat-evil Mauser’s academy (Mauser returning from part 2, while Capt. Harris is still MIA), as only one academy will survive due to budget cutbacks. This is a perfect setup for numerous throwaway jokes and scenes, and it flows quite nicely.

For all the one-dimensional notes that these characters have to work with, Steve Guttenberg’s Mahoney is the most puzzling. Mahoney is not only supposed to be this super-womanizer (um… sure, in another universe where all women are blind, perhaps), but he’s meant to be the ultimate anti-authority slacker and leader of the bunch. Explain to me, then, why the entire range of his character and their actions is pretty much tied up in sly grins and shallow inspirational speeches? Let’s face it: in the Police Academy sea of anorexic fishes, Mahoney is nothing more than a paper-thin flounder. Good riddance.

I quite enjoyed PA3 — not enough to buy it, but certainly enough not to flip the channel if it came on cable one day. If nothing else, it’s excellent mouthwash to combat the gum disease known as Mission to Moscow.

Ew la la Blatant stereotypes! It must be the 80's! Or, you know, any movie Nobody likes Love Boat reruns

Didja Notice? [some sources: IMDb]

• This movie is set in the United States, but when Lassard is looking through his binoculars at the regatta, you can see the CN Tower (from Toronto Ontario Canada) in the background.

Is It Worth Staying Through End Credits?

No. Tip your waiters and waitresses.

Intermission! [some sources: IMDb]

This is the last time we see Art Metrano's character, Mauser in the Police Academy Series. It was also his final performance before his accident in 1989 which left him unable to walk.

Also, the last time we see Sgt. Kyle Blanks, and cadets Hedges and Karen Adams.

Bubba Smith has a huge fear of sharks and was scared to death while shooting the scene where he had to stand in the water and prevent a boat from driving away.

Groovy Quotes

Proctor: Mahoney must think he's as dumb as we are.

Mauser: Ship him off to Lassard's academy, he'll fit in perfectly over there. They could use a good sushi chef. No offense, huh?
Nogata: Arigato, thankyou.
Mauser: Kiss my what?

Nogata: In Japan we say there is no rose that is as sweet as you are babe.
Calahan: In America we say talk is cheap.

Adams: You see this ear, Mahoney? It's a finely tuned crap detector.
Mahoney: Oh, and what a lovely ear it is. If I blow in it, will you follow me anywhere?

If you liked this movie, try these:

• Police Academy
• Police Academy 2
• Police Academy 4