80 reviews
Police Academy 3 (1986) The inmates are now running the asylum. Mahony and company are now instructors at the place they once attend. Running out of ideas and funny situations, the film starts to repeat (ad naseum) many of the gags and punchlines from the first two films. While new characters are being added to the series, a few old one decide to leave (for good). If you notice, the bigger the star Steve Guttenberg becomes, the lesser screen time he gets. Oh well.
Slightly recommended. If the producers have thought with their heads instead of their pocket books, they should have put this series to bed instead of dragging it out and running the series until the wheels and the engine fell off.
Slightly recommended. If the producers have thought with their heads instead of their pocket books, they should have put this series to bed instead of dragging it out and running the series until the wheels and the engine fell off.
- Captain_Couth
- Jan 8, 2005
- Permalink
Police Academy films are a weakness of mine, they are stupid, vapid, idiotic and funny as all hell. I do so love these characters and they are in top form as the goofball graduates from the first Academy come back to save their alma mater.
It seems that budget constraints have forced Governor Ed Nelson to close one of the two Police Academies. The first one is run by clueless Commandant Lassard as played by George Gaynes. The second is a discipline factory run by the nemesis of the graduates from the second Police Academy movie, Sergeant Mauser, played with relish by Art Metrano now a commandant of that Academy.
So a contest is to be held to see which one stays open and our regulars, Steve Guttenberg, Bubba Smith, Michael Winslow, Marion Ramsey, David Graf, and Leslie Esterbrook go back to help the captain they made life hell for as cadets.
When you think about it, are the Police Academy movies any different than the classic Keystone Kops? A lot of the same gags are used and a lot more of them that could never have been got away with back in those days. But the idea is the same, an irreverence for law enforcement in the funniest way.
These are not films to write elegant tomes about, they are films to laugh whatever part of your anatomy off you want.
It seems that budget constraints have forced Governor Ed Nelson to close one of the two Police Academies. The first one is run by clueless Commandant Lassard as played by George Gaynes. The second is a discipline factory run by the nemesis of the graduates from the second Police Academy movie, Sergeant Mauser, played with relish by Art Metrano now a commandant of that Academy.
So a contest is to be held to see which one stays open and our regulars, Steve Guttenberg, Bubba Smith, Michael Winslow, Marion Ramsey, David Graf, and Leslie Esterbrook go back to help the captain they made life hell for as cadets.
When you think about it, are the Police Academy movies any different than the classic Keystone Kops? A lot of the same gags are used and a lot more of them that could never have been got away with back in those days. But the idea is the same, an irreverence for law enforcement in the funniest way.
These are not films to write elegant tomes about, they are films to laugh whatever part of your anatomy off you want.
- bkoganbing
- Sep 14, 2009
- Permalink
Yes, combine the first two movies take away most of the cussing and raunchy jokes and you have the start of the very stale Police Academy sequels. I enjoyed the first two films, and I will say this one had some laughs, but way to much wrong with it to be considered even an okay film. The only redeeming factor is that once again G.W. Bailey is absent and the more funnier Mauser is in this one with his assistant Proctor. They made for most of the humor and Mauser's absence in the next film stands out to me. The story has two police academies in an area and one of them is to be shut down. Mauser is in charge of one, and granted how did he get an academy since the last movie is a rather good question. One wonders is this supposed to be a sequel and for the most part other than this strange turn it seems to be. Most of the jokes have been done, Bobcat is back and you wonder why. He was good in the last movie, in this one his presence is overkill. I thought how Mahoney in the first film got into the academy there is no way Bobcat could have. So all in all the start of very weak sequels and you will begin to know the jokes by heart.
- Big Movie Fan
- Aug 19, 2002
- Permalink
- BandSAboutMovies
- May 5, 2020
- Permalink
In this sequel, the same slapsticks that have been used in the first two movies are apparent and that's what makes it fun to watch. Michael Winslow, who plays Jones, has once again entertained me with his vocal prowess. Also Hooks' (Marion Ramsey) timidness is easily shrouded by her tough side always saying "Don't move, dirtbag!"
Steve Guttenberg (Mahoney) didn't need to stretch his role for this one. It is still fun to watch after 13 years of it's initial release. One of a perfect movies to watch on a lazy Sunday afternoon.
Steve Guttenberg (Mahoney) didn't need to stretch his role for this one. It is still fun to watch after 13 years of it's initial release. One of a perfect movies to watch on a lazy Sunday afternoon.
Almost boring but still pretty funny. Mahoney, Jones, Hightower, Lassard and some news...as Callahan, the big breast woman and some more pathetic policepeople.
Two years after the original. And I don't like to call this a good comedy - it's still okay.
It's the same type tough - falling into boxes, the chief's goldfish almost dies, Callahan kicks a bad-guys ass while flirting with her boobies, Mahoney makes jokes about Lassard and Jones makes sounds. There you go - the whole movie! Role dice: 3
Two years after the original. And I don't like to call this a good comedy - it's still okay.
It's the same type tough - falling into boxes, the chief's goldfish almost dies, Callahan kicks a bad-guys ass while flirting with her boobies, Mahoney makes jokes about Lassard and Jones makes sounds. There you go - the whole movie! Role dice: 3
- EijnarAmadeus
- Oct 31, 2002
- Permalink
While still suffering from the humor limitations of being rated PG, "Police Academy 3" has sight gags enough to make it worth watching a few times (at least more often than "Part II").
The gang's all here and trying to train a new line of cadets in their own image (poor cadets) while Lassard (Gaynes) tends to his goldfish and tools about in his modified golf cart.
Even Bobcat Goldthwait returns as Zed, this time training to be a force of good. His scenes breathe a lot of life into this affair, as he screams at doors until they fall down, terrorizes his fellow cadets, hot wires police cars with his teeth and sings at the most inopportune times.
Everyone else has at least one good scene, maybe two. And considering how many are in the cast, that leaves room for a lot of good scenes. Even Georgina Spelvin is back from the original and, bless her, she makes good, too (though not as hilarious as in the original).
This is about as good as the sequels get, so look no further for laughs than "Police Academy 3: Back in Training". Definitely Bubba Smith's finest hour.
Seven stars. Good job, officers.
The gang's all here and trying to train a new line of cadets in their own image (poor cadets) while Lassard (Gaynes) tends to his goldfish and tools about in his modified golf cart.
Even Bobcat Goldthwait returns as Zed, this time training to be a force of good. His scenes breathe a lot of life into this affair, as he screams at doors until they fall down, terrorizes his fellow cadets, hot wires police cars with his teeth and sings at the most inopportune times.
Everyone else has at least one good scene, maybe two. And considering how many are in the cast, that leaves room for a lot of good scenes. Even Georgina Spelvin is back from the original and, bless her, she makes good, too (though not as hilarious as in the original).
This is about as good as the sequels get, so look no further for laughs than "Police Academy 3: Back in Training". Definitely Bubba Smith's finest hour.
Seven stars. Good job, officers.
- The-Sarkologist
- Jun 15, 2019
- Permalink
Police Academy has made over seven films plus a toy lineup and a dumb TV show. But from all of the Police Academy movies, this one had more laughs than the original and the rest of the sequels. The whole premise of Police Academy 3 is that Lazard's squad is being challange by former Academy member Mouser for best cadet school, its up to Lazard and his gang of misfits from Mahoney, Hooks, Jones, Hightower and Tackleberry along with Zed and Sweetchuck and that Japanese guy from Revenge of the Nerds to win the game and proved that they are better than Mouser's school. Yes, it has its flaws, but the laughs keep on coming and that's what i liked about this one.
Three out of Four stars.
Three out of Four stars.
- departed07
- May 9, 2004
- Permalink
Police Academy should've stopped after the second film. But nope. They decided to make 7 or 8 films, and two series. What kind of dopes ran these films? Anyway, MAYBE watch this on a saturday or sunday afternoon like I did when you've got nothing left to do. Other than that, don't waste your money on it. I stopped watching these films after the 4th. I'm sad to say I even saw that many. Once again, only Bob Goldthwait make this worth watching. Even then, it's hard to bear. 2/5 STARS-only because compared to the later sequels, this isn't even bad!
JOHN ULMER
JOHN ULMER
- MovieAddict2016
- Aug 18, 2002
- Permalink
Here we go
I don't care what anyone says, this is funny. Yes the series gets worse with each film, but any of the first 4 are better than any American Pie, or any teen comedy ever. The characters have already been established, with the main additions being Bobcat Goldthwaite as Zed, who is endlessly funny, and Mauser as the rival Cmndt. Plot? There are two Police Academies; one must close so a series of competitions are set up to see which is better. Mauser recruits Copeland and Banks from Lassard's school as traitors, but Mahoney and crew eventually prove the better. But these movies are not about plot. Some would say they're not about comedy, or anything else, but as a kid, nothing made me laugh more than these films. And they still do. Jones makes loads of noises, Tackleberry watches his in laws punch each other, Mahoney makes his usual comments, but Zed and Procter are my favourites here. The Blue Oyster Bar is back, and other scenes that keep me laughing are the arrival of Sweetchuck to the Academy, crashing into the car, and Zed singing to make a door fall. I see why people find these completely irritating, but I'm pis*ing myself thinking about them. While I was reading some of the (mostly negative) reviews of this, where people were slagging off the parts they didn't find funny, I was in stitches. May say something about me-but that's something I'm not ashamed of.
8 out of 10
8 out of 10
- malkane316
- May 25, 2004
- Permalink
"Police Academy 3: Back in Training", the third movie in the comedy series, is a funny second sequel to "Police Academy". "Police Academy 3" has almost the same amount of laughs as "Police Academy 2". It's just a tad below the second movie. However, both movies can't top the original. But like "Police Academy 2", "Police Academy 3" is much better than some of the other sequels that followed.
*** (out of four)
*** (out of four)
- jhaggardjr
- May 14, 2000
- Permalink
New recruits, the old ones running the place. Yeah, that's about it for the plot. They need to impress blah blah blah. Do you even care? I don't. We've heard it a million times before. It's nothing but an excuse for the terrible jokes and gags, which, I might add, are mostly(when this is actually trying to be funny, and it actually doesn't seem to be doing any such thing for half of it) repeated ad nauseum from the second(I didn't think it could get worse than that one... they managed it) and, I hear, the first. It all culminates in a pretty unconvincing chase. The obnoxious stuff is multiplied. This is racist and disgusting. And the guy who's driving that suddenly speaks English, from one moment to another. Characters we've seen before are made cadets, for no reason. Smith can't act. In fact, the performances here are awful. Bobcat Goldthwait is himself more in this(why are people laughing at it? Let's be honest, he probably suffers from serious mental problems). No one would behave like the people in this do. At least there is a hot chick, and a little proper, if very basic, martial arts in this. There is strong language in this. I recommend it only to those who refuse to heed the warnings. 2/10
- TBJCSKCNRRQTreviews
- Sep 17, 2010
- Permalink
It's back to where it all started for the gang as they assist trainees who are as inept as they were. Squealing Goldthwait is now a wannabe cop and in a perfect idea by the screenwriter is roommated with meek little Mr. Sweetchuck, whom he terrorized throughout part 2. The most notable newcomer is Brian Tochi as the Japanese youngster obsessed with Easterbrook's breasts (who wouldnt be?). The climax is a little more exciting than in the recent films (a jet-ski chase) and is filmed very nicely. And it's odd how with each film the running time gets shorter, only 83 minutes here. But still enjoyable the third time around.
- Robert_duder
- Nov 27, 2005
- Permalink
I gotta admit, ladies and gentlemen, I don't really find this stuff amusing anymore, but for some reason the Police Academy movies are still their own brand of fun. I was just reading through some of the message boards about the movies on the IMDb about what peoples' favorite scenes were from part 3 and from the series as a whole, and not one of the scenes mentioned was genuinely funny to me anymore. I remember when I was a kid I loved the movies unconditionally and used to drive my brother insane because I always wanted to watch them, but I can't really remember if I just found the movies fun or if I actually got some good belly laughs out of them. Regardless, the vast majority of the comedy has not dated well, but they are still an amusing romp through the hilarious clothing and comedy styles of the 80s!
This time around, Commandant Lassard finds himself in a bit of a moment of crisis as the governor decides that it is no longer financially reasonable to maintain two police academies (the other one headed by the beloved Lieutenant Mauser from part 2), and so one of them will have to be closed. Which academy will be closed depends on performances during a period of observation by an evaluation team.
Needless to say, Mauser employs the help of the hilariously idiotic Proctor and the same two goon cadets, Copeland and Blanks, who have been employed by both Mauser and Harris to create problems for our cast of heroes since the first movie. In order to save Lassard's academy, and their own beloved alma mater, from being closed, all of our favorite Police Academy cast members have been brought back from Their First Assignment to become instructors at the academy and ensure that the place looks good.
So there you have the setup and the basic plot, and other than that it's essentially exactly the same movie as the first two. The characters are the same, the music's the same, the good guys and bad guys are the same, just the skits are different and this time we have the addition of a few negligible characters, the token geek (Sweetchuck), the token Japanese guy (who really serves no other purpose than to grin like an imbecile and become mesmerized by Callahan's prodigious bosoms), and also the ridiculous additions to the force of Fackler's nutty wife and Tackleberry's nutty brother-in-law. You know, the guy who is always trading punches with his own father. Can you imagine putting a police uniform on such a man? Only in a Police Academy movie!
There is not really anything of special note that happens during the movie, although it is a little revealing that this is arguably the funniest installment in the entire series. In keeping with the two preceding movies, we are introduced to the characters in the same way, by glimpsing them in their current lives before the needs of a new movie call them back to the Police Academy world. Hightower is dressing up as an old woman in order to catch purse snatchers in the park, Tackleberry is playing safari in the backyard with his brother-in-law, Fackler is trying to prevent his wife from joining the force (in a scene eerily reminiscent of his first scene in the original movie), and Mahoney is a women's basketball coach?
Whatever, it doesn't matter what they're doing, their current occupations or pastimes or whatever are just little jokes as they're introduced into the movie. Unfortunately, it's hard to imagine a time when Mahoney's constant flirtations were not as purely creepy as they are now. And that mischievous grin he gets when he's about to play a trick on someone. I need a lot of beers before that's funny, although I would be lying if I said the Police Academies aren't a lot of fun after the beer count enters the double digits.
Unfortunately, there is also a definite feeling that in this installment the movie has turned into even more of a series of goofy jokes. Of course, the whole series is a bunch of goofy jokes, but I think that the second sequel is the first time when the characters that we know are used to throw in some moronic sight gags in order to get a cheap laugh, like when Tackleberry pulls out his gun and shoots a payphone because the operator refuses to relinquish her quarter, or Proctor getting locked out in the hallway ass-naked by a prostitute. On the other hand, my beer count was getting up there by this point, so I found both scenes to be pretty funny.
It is important to realize that director Jerry Paris developed most of his directing experience on television comedy series, which may have something to do with the, ah, conspicuous lack of subtlety in a lot of the sight gags in Police Academy 2 and 3. It's interesting to consider the impact that his personal directing experience before coming into the Police Academy series may have shaped the series as a whole, which moved in that direction and then never managed to get away from it. Ad now it seems that Steve Guttenberg is attempting to put a Police Academy 8 in motion, in which case I can only hope that he doesn't try to reinvent the series, although I have a feeling that it would take nothing less than a total reinvention to make yet another sequel worthwhile
This time around, Commandant Lassard finds himself in a bit of a moment of crisis as the governor decides that it is no longer financially reasonable to maintain two police academies (the other one headed by the beloved Lieutenant Mauser from part 2), and so one of them will have to be closed. Which academy will be closed depends on performances during a period of observation by an evaluation team.
Needless to say, Mauser employs the help of the hilariously idiotic Proctor and the same two goon cadets, Copeland and Blanks, who have been employed by both Mauser and Harris to create problems for our cast of heroes since the first movie. In order to save Lassard's academy, and their own beloved alma mater, from being closed, all of our favorite Police Academy cast members have been brought back from Their First Assignment to become instructors at the academy and ensure that the place looks good.
So there you have the setup and the basic plot, and other than that it's essentially exactly the same movie as the first two. The characters are the same, the music's the same, the good guys and bad guys are the same, just the skits are different and this time we have the addition of a few negligible characters, the token geek (Sweetchuck), the token Japanese guy (who really serves no other purpose than to grin like an imbecile and become mesmerized by Callahan's prodigious bosoms), and also the ridiculous additions to the force of Fackler's nutty wife and Tackleberry's nutty brother-in-law. You know, the guy who is always trading punches with his own father. Can you imagine putting a police uniform on such a man? Only in a Police Academy movie!
There is not really anything of special note that happens during the movie, although it is a little revealing that this is arguably the funniest installment in the entire series. In keeping with the two preceding movies, we are introduced to the characters in the same way, by glimpsing them in their current lives before the needs of a new movie call them back to the Police Academy world. Hightower is dressing up as an old woman in order to catch purse snatchers in the park, Tackleberry is playing safari in the backyard with his brother-in-law, Fackler is trying to prevent his wife from joining the force (in a scene eerily reminiscent of his first scene in the original movie), and Mahoney is a women's basketball coach?
Whatever, it doesn't matter what they're doing, their current occupations or pastimes or whatever are just little jokes as they're introduced into the movie. Unfortunately, it's hard to imagine a time when Mahoney's constant flirtations were not as purely creepy as they are now. And that mischievous grin he gets when he's about to play a trick on someone. I need a lot of beers before that's funny, although I would be lying if I said the Police Academies aren't a lot of fun after the beer count enters the double digits.
Unfortunately, there is also a definite feeling that in this installment the movie has turned into even more of a series of goofy jokes. Of course, the whole series is a bunch of goofy jokes, but I think that the second sequel is the first time when the characters that we know are used to throw in some moronic sight gags in order to get a cheap laugh, like when Tackleberry pulls out his gun and shoots a payphone because the operator refuses to relinquish her quarter, or Proctor getting locked out in the hallway ass-naked by a prostitute. On the other hand, my beer count was getting up there by this point, so I found both scenes to be pretty funny.
It is important to realize that director Jerry Paris developed most of his directing experience on television comedy series, which may have something to do with the, ah, conspicuous lack of subtlety in a lot of the sight gags in Police Academy 2 and 3. It's interesting to consider the impact that his personal directing experience before coming into the Police Academy series may have shaped the series as a whole, which moved in that direction and then never managed to get away from it. Ad now it seems that Steve Guttenberg is attempting to put a Police Academy 8 in motion, in which case I can only hope that he doesn't try to reinvent the series, although I have a feeling that it would take nothing less than a total reinvention to make yet another sequel worthwhile
- Anonymous_Maxine
- Apr 1, 2009
- Permalink
I have a lot of sympathy for the Police Academy venture, and the third episode does still pack quite a few memorable scenes, but especially in its second half (starting with the party), it does run out of steam and becomes formulaic. I didn't like the megaknockers-meets-Chinaman affair between lieutenant Callahan and cadet Nogata, and the denouement (academy staff and cadets prove their worth by riding around on speedboats) is total hogwash.
This third part got a lot of exposure, and many people assume that, because it's somewhat bit shoddy, the previous episodes must have been just as lacklustre or even worse, which really isn't the case.
It still works as brainless fun, especially if you fast-forward through that final marina chase segment.
This third part got a lot of exposure, and many people assume that, because it's somewhat bit shoddy, the previous episodes must have been just as lacklustre or even worse, which really isn't the case.
It still works as brainless fun, especially if you fast-forward through that final marina chase segment.
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.
- manitobaman81
- Aug 21, 2014
- Permalink
So it's yet another Police Academy... who knew this wouldn't even be the half of it? In this one the well-known recruits of the first Police Academy has to learn the tricks to the new batch, including Sweetchuck and Zed, who we saw in Police Academy 2.
Too bad this one doesn't have a story in it, or it should be that Lassards Police Academy is rivalling Hausers (but aren't they always?) because one of them has to close down. And that's about it... now this is wearing thin!
The last scenes include an old-fashioned but hardly entertaining chase scene but overall this movie doesn't bring anything new to the concept. Even a bit boring at times. Loved Zed in this one though...
3/10.
Too bad this one doesn't have a story in it, or it should be that Lassards Police Academy is rivalling Hausers (but aren't they always?) because one of them has to close down. And that's about it... now this is wearing thin!
The last scenes include an old-fashioned but hardly entertaining chase scene but overall this movie doesn't bring anything new to the concept. Even a bit boring at times. Loved Zed in this one though...
3/10.
- TheOtherFool
- Jul 7, 2004
- Permalink
- glenn-aylett
- Feb 20, 2021
- Permalink
The Police Academy concept always worked best when the action was set in the titular environment, ie when a new bunch of misfits are being trained. Which is ironic, because of the seven (with an eighth apparently on the way) films, only this and the original stick to the formula. While stagnation is never a good thing, a franchise like Police Academy should be encouraged at every turn to do what works best.
The title also sums up the entire plot, although a little effort also goes into the setup. Essentially, there have been two police academies in this town for a while now, and the city's administration has decided that it cannot afford to keep both open. The decision as to which will be closed at the end of the current graduating class is to be made on the basis of which class performs better in the eyes of an evaluation committee. The winner is never established in a manner that would put it beyond a shadow of doubt, at least to a completely cynical viewer, but the whole film is about the journey, not the result.
A major plot hole exists in the shape of the two types of recruit the academies display. The Mauser academy looks more like a front for the Aryan Union or the like, and the Lassard academy remains a haven for the usual mob of misfits, only this time without any stoolies among the recruits. Correct me if I am wrong, but if the mayor has decided that none of the usual discriminatory factors used to screen the intake of each police academy no longer apply, shouldn't that decision apply to both academies? Or indeed every academy that the city (or state) has?
That aside, this was the last film Art Metrano appeared in before an accident left him unable to walk. Like Street Fighter did for Raul Julia, this is the kind of memorial you wouldn't wish upon any actor's career, regardless of their output. Not that he is particularly noticed in this episode. While Harris isn't present to make him redundant, the overcrowding of the cast doesn't leave him with a lot of things to do. He is unmemorable enough that nobody really noticed his absence from future PA films, or films of any kind for that matter.
A more skilled actor such as George Gaynes, for example, is able to use the minimal screen time he gets in order to make his character memorable. As the near-senile commandant who is supposed to be the focus of sympathy, he makes his mark well. Why he's never been in anything more substantial in the past twenty years, I will never know. For the rest of the cast, hitting the one note they are capable of is perfectly sufficient, and considering the proliferation of so-called a-list stars who cannot even achieve that much these days, I think some cast members deserve more credit than they get.
This is truly Bobcat Goldthwait's film. As the latest recruit at the Lassard academy, he goes into a literal overdrive of screaming and nervous tics. It is an odd testament to the man's talent that he can literally make this work as a comedy act. What made Mahoney so loveable and funny in the first film, Zed exploits to greater heights. When Steve Guttenberg refused to come back for episode five, they should have offered Bobcat the sky to take his place. The results of them not doing so are now a matter of historical record.
I gave Police Academy 3 a one out of ten. On a purely intellectual level, it is less than zero, but in terms of pure fun, it scores a few points. Those who have to follow a series should be advised that this is the last of the PA films that this could be said of.
The title also sums up the entire plot, although a little effort also goes into the setup. Essentially, there have been two police academies in this town for a while now, and the city's administration has decided that it cannot afford to keep both open. The decision as to which will be closed at the end of the current graduating class is to be made on the basis of which class performs better in the eyes of an evaluation committee. The winner is never established in a manner that would put it beyond a shadow of doubt, at least to a completely cynical viewer, but the whole film is about the journey, not the result.
A major plot hole exists in the shape of the two types of recruit the academies display. The Mauser academy looks more like a front for the Aryan Union or the like, and the Lassard academy remains a haven for the usual mob of misfits, only this time without any stoolies among the recruits. Correct me if I am wrong, but if the mayor has decided that none of the usual discriminatory factors used to screen the intake of each police academy no longer apply, shouldn't that decision apply to both academies? Or indeed every academy that the city (or state) has?
That aside, this was the last film Art Metrano appeared in before an accident left him unable to walk. Like Street Fighter did for Raul Julia, this is the kind of memorial you wouldn't wish upon any actor's career, regardless of their output. Not that he is particularly noticed in this episode. While Harris isn't present to make him redundant, the overcrowding of the cast doesn't leave him with a lot of things to do. He is unmemorable enough that nobody really noticed his absence from future PA films, or films of any kind for that matter.
A more skilled actor such as George Gaynes, for example, is able to use the minimal screen time he gets in order to make his character memorable. As the near-senile commandant who is supposed to be the focus of sympathy, he makes his mark well. Why he's never been in anything more substantial in the past twenty years, I will never know. For the rest of the cast, hitting the one note they are capable of is perfectly sufficient, and considering the proliferation of so-called a-list stars who cannot even achieve that much these days, I think some cast members deserve more credit than they get.
This is truly Bobcat Goldthwait's film. As the latest recruit at the Lassard academy, he goes into a literal overdrive of screaming and nervous tics. It is an odd testament to the man's talent that he can literally make this work as a comedy act. What made Mahoney so loveable and funny in the first film, Zed exploits to greater heights. When Steve Guttenberg refused to come back for episode five, they should have offered Bobcat the sky to take his place. The results of them not doing so are now a matter of historical record.
I gave Police Academy 3 a one out of ten. On a purely intellectual level, it is less than zero, but in terms of pure fun, it scores a few points. Those who have to follow a series should be advised that this is the last of the PA films that this could be said of.
- mentalcritic
- Aug 24, 2004
- Permalink
Mahoney is the ultimate lady-killer! Hightower shines in his element; drag! Sgt. Jones is the ultimate human beat-box! Police Academy 3 is the best of the series. The main characters have been established and are now free to indulge in the astonishing comedic interplay that is the triumphant hallmark of the Police Academy series. With the addition of the always gut-busting Bobcat Goldthwait as Cadet Zed this marks the finest moment in 80's comedy history. The only thing that would improve this movie is the addition of Gilbert Gottfried to the cast. It is difficult to pinpoint any highlights of this movie because there are so many, but if you like Police Academy, you will adore "Back in Training". Spencer Tracy, Milton Berle, Sid Caesar, Buddy Hackett, Ethel Merman, and Mickey Rooney need to take a backseat to the new American Comedic Heroes: Steve Guttenberg, Bubba Smith, David Graf, Michael Winslow, Marion Ramsey, and Leslie Easterbrook.
- james_cocos-snowboots
- Jun 29, 2005
- Permalink
I give the third installment in this franchise a passing grade. Just. And I have a few reasons why. Michael Winslow is still hilarious when he is making sound effects, Lance Kinsey is great as the dim-witted Lt. Proctor and it is crazy to see Bobcat Goldthwait playing Zed and all his antics going through training to become a cop.
Here one of the academies must close so it is between Comdt. Lassard (George Gaynes) and Comdt. Mauser (Art Metrano) to see who will be shut down. So, most of the grads come back to help Lassard out. Plot wise she is pretty thin, but their are some laughs to be had. Also very funny to see Proctor at the Policeperson's Ball.
Unfortunately, although they received the same rating from me this one is not as good as part 2. Also is starting to show some need of a good boost of originality as some of the characters (I feel half of them) here really do not bring anything new to their character. Sadly, I think it was all down hill with the next installment on.
Here one of the academies must close so it is between Comdt. Lassard (George Gaynes) and Comdt. Mauser (Art Metrano) to see who will be shut down. So, most of the grads come back to help Lassard out. Plot wise she is pretty thin, but their are some laughs to be had. Also very funny to see Proctor at the Policeperson's Ball.
Unfortunately, although they received the same rating from me this one is not as good as part 2. Also is starting to show some need of a good boost of originality as some of the characters (I feel half of them) here really do not bring anything new to their character. Sadly, I think it was all down hill with the next installment on.
- thehappychuckler
- Jan 26, 2019
- Permalink
There's still funny moments. But there's fewer and fewer of them. It's actually a good thing that the movie isn't too long. Even then, the final scene at the marina is way too long. There's a few good laughs and it's good to see some of those idiots again. Mahoney, Callaghan and of course Tackleberry... Nice recruits too! Especially Zed and Sweetchuck. But the franchise is truly going down. Great again to see the Toronto skyline and some city landmarks. Don't rent this one. Try to get for free on cable or at the local library like I did. Seen again at home, in Toronto, on January 1st, 2007.
59/100 (*)
59/100 (*)
- LeRoyMarko
- Dec 31, 2006
- Permalink