Review of Police Academy (1984) by Allan C — 24 Apr 2014

12 year old me thought this was the most hilarious movie of all time. 42 year old me was not as impressed. This time around, nostalgic 1980s elements littered throughout the film (half-shirts, cars begin driven on 2 wheels, Michael Winslow mouth noises, etc.

) were the most entertaining thing about the film. It story is another popular 80s trope, snobs vs. slobs (i.e. "Back to School" "Up the Creek" "Revenge of the Nerds" "Meatballs" ).

The set up is that in an attempt to diversify the police force, the mayor opens up the police academy to all comers, which sets up the very rigid and proper police trainers versus the antics of the wacky recruits.

Rewatching this film, I knew it was not Molière, but I was curious if it would maybe have some of the lowbrown charms of other snobs vs. slobs films like "Caddyshack," which still holds up today, mostly thanks to Rodney Dangerfield.

Sadly, Steve Guttenberg does not have the same comedic chops ad Dangerfield and Michael Winslow's mouth noises are not nearly as funny as I thought they were when I was a 12 year old. However, in the film's favor, George Gaynes is likable as the simple minded commandant of the academy, Kim Cattrall is super cute in an early role as the Guttenberg's love interest, and Bubba Smith is fun to see because I'd totally forgotten about him (he's kind of an 80s trope in and of himself).

And the film's theme music is a very catchy one that I've always liked, so it gets an extra half a star for that. One interesting bit of trivia I read was that Bruce Willis auditioned for the part of Mahoney.

He's probably would have done well in the part, though I think his career is probably better off that he got "Moonlighting" instead. God, "Moonlighting" was a good show. I think I need to get out my DVDs and start re-watching that show.