Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment

Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment is a run-of-the-mill sequel with ordinary trappings , jokes , antics , confusion and mayhem . The misfit Police Academy is now graduated creating a special but bumbling team to accomplish the most dangerous assignments and in this sequel to the first Police Academy movie, a nerdish storefront owner named Mr. Sweetchuck, is attacked and robbed of $8. By a local street gang known as "The Scullions" whom are led by the infantile Zed (Bobcat Goldthwait). After hearing about the incident, Chief Henry Hurst (George Robertson) arrives at the 16th precinct and notifies its captain, Pete Lassard (Howard Hesseman) that the precinct is the worst in the city for even old ladies throw things and spit at passing policemen on the street outside the station. Nevertheless, Hurst gives him 30 days or else Lassard is out. Before he leaves, the conniving Officer Mauser (Art Metrano) schemes his way into talking to Hurst. Hurst promises him the rank of captain should Lassard fail. Pete calls his brother, who happens to be Commandant Eric Lassard (George Gaynes) and asks him for six new recruits, as was promised by Hurst. Throughout the movie, Mauser is seen scheming with his dim-witted partner Sgt. Proctor (Lance Kinsey) as he attempts to take control of the precinct. The recently graduated Carey Mahoney (Steve Guttenberg), Larvell Jones (Michael Winslow), Eugene Tackleberry (David Graf), Moses Hightower (Bubba Smith), Laverne Hooks (Marion Ramsey), and Douglas Fackler (Bruce Mahler) join the 16th precinct, and some are assigned a veteran officer partner since they're rookies: Fackler has Dooley (Ed Herihly), Mahoney has the overweight Vinnie Schtulman (Peter van Norden), and Tackleberry has Sgt. Kathleen Kirkland (Colleen Camp). As the more bumbling team formed by the police officer friends (Steve Guttenberg : Mahoney, Bubba Smith : Hightower , Michael Winslow : Jones , David Graf : Tackleberry ) are assigned the first assignment to fight crime once again plaguing the streets. A wacky wizard of Ozzy and his leathered and studded band of punky pranksters are on the prowl, spray-painting the town red and emptying the pockets of anyone sharing the sidewalk. In the wake of the new crime wave, people might be wondering where the educational system has gone wrong. But relax, America. Think of the academy. Now that's the kind of school people can trust, the kind of school whose grads fight crime with slapstick instead of nightsticks. Those goofy oddballs in blue are going to tangle with the pinhead punkers. The Police Academy regulars, from meathead Mahoney to the impeccably inept Cmdt. Lassard, are back again to answer law enforcement's most uproarious role call. Take off with the original cast... and some new recruits as they take to the streets and the skies to fight crime . On land, on sea, or in the air, no place is safe from them! Assignment: new recruits . Objective: Laughs. Hold everything! The cadets are training for an all new adventure !

Amusing , funny and very cheerful film filled with action-packed , thrills , hilarious set-pieces, tongue-in-cheek and lots of humor .The premise is simple and plain , as a misfit , botcher squadron from the known police force is assigned the first mission and subsequently to undertake a confrontation to a dangerous gang . Director delivers a professional work but with no much interest , his knack of getting the most out of characters and situations without ever going over the top making for some very big laughs . This production pays tribute to previous film , taking parts here and there , and repeating former sketches. The jokes and frolics come as thick and fast , hit and miss as usual and it is done in good spirit if not always in good taste . Nice picture with accent on sight gags , and humour that stems from the diverting roles established in other movies . The sympathetic cast formed by the motley band of misfits gives fun interpretation creating confusion , laughs and mayhem. Showing up habitual actors in the popular series, such as Seve Guttenberg as Mahoney, Bubba Smith as Hightower , Michael Winslow , David Graf , Tim Kazurinsky and adding a newcomer : Colleen Camp. While G. W. Bailey had hoped to return as Lieutenant Harris, but was passed over in favor of Art Metrano as the antagonist in this film , but he appeared in Police Academy 4 and others sequels . However, original cast members had allegedly complained about losing screentime to the new cast members. It contains an attractive and lively score by Robert Folk , series' regular , including the classic leitmotif . As well as atmospheric and appropriate cinematography by James Crabe . The motion picture was regular but professionally directed by Jerry Paris and James Signorelli , but with no originality .

The series based on the chracters written by Neal Israel and Pat Proft are the following ones : Police Academy 1984 by Hugh Wilson . Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment 1985 by Jerry Paris , James Signorelli . Police Academy 3: Back in Training 1987 by Jerry Paris . Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol 1987 by Jim Drake . Police Academy : Assignment Miami Beach 1988 by Alan Myerson. Police Academy 6: City Under Siege 1989 by Peter Bornerz . Police Academy: Mission to Moscow 1994 by Alan Metter . And Police Academy the series 1997/1998 , 26 episodes by Neal Israel, Paul Maslansky, Pat Proft .

Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment was the last film to be remotely funny out of the further Academy films. No wonder almost every single orignal cast member dropped after the 4th film. My favorite character in this film however, and the only being who made it funny, was Bob Goldthwait. He and his raspy voice are hilarious, and make this film worth watching. I saw it on at 1 am once. I guess it's the only time slot the channel figure that no one will be watching. Anyway, it's worthy of a one time viewing, as the first, though they are both rip-offs of the film stripes. But still, see 1 & 2 once, and don't bother with the rest. 2.5/5 stars.

JOHN ULMER

"Police Academy 2" brings back the core cast from the original to wreak more havoc. This film is not quite as good as the first one, but it comes very close. Overall this is another hit-and-miss comedy that delivers a few times, but also falls flat on its face. 2.5 out of 5 stars.

I was always surprised that we didn't get Goonies part 2, it's fair to say in the 1980's, if a film was a success, a sequel was on the way. I still love the original, and I'm also a big fan of the first sequel. They retain the cast, but also add to it, the elements that made the first very funny are still here. There are definitely some funny scenes, the shower gel being the best, the removal of weapons, and generally every scene that features Zed. It won't be for everyone, and you get the impression it was put together quickly to cash in on the first, but it is funny, and it retains the spirit of the original.

I still find it funny. 7/10

Police Academy 2 (1985) was quickly rushed into production to capitalize upon the surprisingly successful first film. The recruits have finally graduated from the academy and are now assigned positions throughout the city. Crime is rampant and the people are afraid to leave their homes because of a local crime wave. A group of young punks (led by Bobcat Goldwait) have recently assaulted the chief of police (Howard Hesseman). With the city in turmoil and with his job being threatened by the Chief's right hand man, he turns to the new recruits to help clean up the city.

I hate it when they franchise a movie and tone down the raunchy humor and crude manners, elements that made the first one a success. The movie is funny but it's not as good as the first film. Sadly the creativity and humor of the Police Academy films goes down the eventual slippery slope. By the fifth film the series becomes very unwatchable and extremely redundant. Even though it's a step down from the first film, it's still entertaining.

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