Police Academy (1984)

A different way of telling a story

This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

It's easily one of the freshest, sharpest and most enjoyable films of this year.

It is an exhilarating, distressing, funny and profound film, with one of the more memorable film scores in years,

A group of good-hearted but incompetent misfits enter the police academy, but the instructors there are not going to put up with their pranks. Police Academy is a 1984 comedy film directed by Hugh Wilson, and starring Steve Guttenberg, Kim Cattrall, and G.W. Bailey. It grossed approximately $146 million worldwide and spawned six more films in the Police Academy series. Just like with pretty much everything back then and even now the Original film is always the superior from the sequels because it was something original and for the most part the funniest of them all and this is the case with the first Police Academy film it's not just freaking hilarious and makes you laugh until you can't breath but also the talented behind it alongside the well written and charismatic characters make it a damn good ride and a film as whole. Each gag for back in the day was pretty original and funny and the actors give really great comedic performances such David Graf as Cadet Eugene Tackleberry or Michael Winslow as Cadet Larvell Jones. The fact that Hollywood even thought that they should remake this film is a huge middle finger to the fanbase that enjoyed the Original and even some of it's sequels that weren't as bad as some people made them sound like. Overall Police Academy (1984) is an underrated gold classic that many people to this day love and respect. (A+)

1984's Police Academy was great in it's day and 32 years later the movie still feels fresh and full of vitality. Sadly it's ONLY the first entry in the series that has held up over the years and that's largely due to the films risqué sense of humour, being more adult or "mature" in nature. I've seen this film dozens of times over the years and always get a kick out it.It's funny to think that this movies success (or the entire series for that matter) largely hinges upon the presence of a perennial B-Lister like Steve Guttenberg, but it's true - it just doesn't seem like a Police Academy movie without Officer Mahoney. For the uninitiated Police Academy is a rousing comedy, that comes loaded with many funny and memorable characters and it was the starting point for a long-running and prolific series of movies throughout the 80's and into the early 90's. But it's this one, the first one, if memory serves me correctly, is the only one that's actually true to it's title - it being the only one that takes place largely at a "police academy". And it's here, at the beginning, where the comedy is most focused and is at it's most effective.Centering largely around Cadet/Officer Mahoney (Steve Guttenberg) who plays a good-for-nothing punk that's constantly in trouble with the law, as he drifts from one low-paying job to another. Eventually he's pressured into going to the police academy or prison, unenthused by either choice, he chooses the academy, once there he's intent on getting thrown out later that very same day "Be out of here by three". He proceeds to cause mischief where ever he goes and with every chance he gets - and there are many. Because after all, that's really half the show - Mahnoney's shenanigans on campus. In fact his handiwork becomes so well known to others, that you hear lines like "Mahoney... it's gotta be Mahoney". He's constantly at odds with his superiors's and one in particular: Lituentant Harris, who is by far the most combustible and vocal of the academy's training core and it's between them that many of the movies funniest exchanges happen. I'd say the best of which would have to be the accident involving the dirt-bike and horse's ass - Riotous! Truly a classic film moment - or better yet the scene that immediately follows, which is a hilarious continuation of that scene.Having recently seen it yet again, I can attest to the films seemingly timeless quality and it's irrepressible comedic charm. Director Hugh Wilson did a great job with getting the most out of his cast and the films comic sensibilities still manage to shine brightly after all these years. Police Academy, the first in the series, the one that literally "started it all" remains a top-tier comedy and one of the very best of the 80's - a decade that easily had more notable comedies than any other (I could make a list but don't feel that it's necessary).Sadly it's -only- with the first Police Academy movie that the magic is alive and vital - the rest were obviously tamed-down for younger audiences - and it's a real shame they went with that direction.I can't help but think how awesome it would have been for Eddie Deezen to have been one of the new cadet's, definitely a missed opportunity..... but anyway's - Long Live The Great Mahoney!

I guess something you never so coming, was Ebert's review of this. May'be he missed the point. The 1984 hit, was pure slapstick, meant to take digs at the police academy. It's as entertainingly addictive as 1985's Night Patrol. Of course, nearly in all cases, the original's the best: same case here. We're introduced to a bunch of richly written characters, delinquents, wannabes, who we grow to love over the next chain of sequels, each character, totally different from the next. Sadly most of the actors, and they are good, didn't go very far after this. Of course, the chief character or the main dude of our story, is the delinquent Mahoney, who as a valet driver rightfully drives an abusive customer's car sideways. He's arrested (not the first time) and forced to do community service, via a police academy program, which for Mahoney, is what you could call hard time. He butts heads with a nemesis lieutenant, Harris (G.W. Bailey- Major Crimes) and this is where the real fun lies, but also we have a little revenge, a liked for two kiss arse students, who like to be pain in the arse martyrs, where Mahoney and them square off in one scene. I loved Bubba Smith in this too, as Hightop. I could spend hours going on about the wonderfully meaty formed characters and the gags, but P.A. is a see for yourself comedy, another reason that just made the eighties great. For those who have never seen it, and there wouldn't be many around, let me tell ya, it's not too late to watch, as it will have the same infectious impression on you now, as if you watched it back in 1984.

This a not a good movie. It is very boring and not funny. Police academy 2 is better. And is pretty bad movie. It is badly written. Some idiots train to be cops. This movie is nothing but stupid jokes and seen with some naked girls. Don't wast your money. And do not wast your time. Do not see this awful movie. It is boring. I can't believe people like this movie. I need more lines and I am running out of things to say. This movie is pooh pooh. Pooh pooh, pooh pooh, pooh pooh, pooh, pooh pooh. I'don't see it don't see it don't see it. The acting in this movie is mediocre. Steve G.u.t.t.e.n.b.e.r.g is not a good actor. Kim C.a.t.t.r.a.l.l is a good actor but she wasted her talent being in this awful movie. Do not see it.