User reviews

For what it's worth, it's the best of the films without Steve Guttenberg. That's faint praise, but the series was running mostly on his charm and likeability.

All non-Guttenberg factors being equal, in a lot of ways it's a (slight) improvement over the fourth film. The overall plot isn't exceptionally outlandish; befuddled jewel thieves is a more realistic setup than a citizens' police force or the mayor of the city orchestrating a crime wave. The cast are all game, and George Gaynes is clearly having a ball.

I wouldn't actually spend a lot of money on the film, but if it's in TV some lazy Saturday, there are worst ways to kill a few hours.

Fifth Police Academy is about as good as the fourth one, if not a little bit better. It takes a new twist when the main characters go to a trip to Miami. It's a fresh new take, with new jokes on the plane and on a beach etc. Some scenes look like the movie makers just went to holiday to have fun and just shoot whatever; there are some completely random scenes like a limbo dance. It isn't a very solid film but at least it has a fun mood. Towards the end there is a boat chase scene, which is a bit long but it's maybe better than that in the third film.

Overall I'd say this is still a watchable film for fans, but it's as far as you need to go with Police Academy.

"Assignment: Miami Beach" is the first one in the franchise that doesn't have Steve Guttenberg, and I've got mixed feelings about that. In one way it's sort of a blessing, because we can finally spend some quality time with Lassard in this one. George Gaynes has always been the best actor of any installment's cast, so it's nice to see a sequel where everything revolves around him. Granted, all he really gets to do is have people fall over a bunch of times, but somehow he still makes it work. On the other hand, the movie clearly misses a decent "straight man" to counterbalance all the oddballs. I guess that was new guy Matt McCoy's task, but given that the guy has no screen presence whatsoever and barely made the final cut it doesn't quite work. Overall though, I didn't hate this. I mean, they do the same seven or eight bits they do in all the other ones, but here they do them on a different location! Michael Winslow does his Bruce Lee schtick for the fifth time in five movies, but now on a different location! I was sorta surprised Miami didn't have a Blue Oyster Bar, to be honest. "Police Academy 5" is not the greatest movie you'll ever see, but it'll give you about what you would expect.

The first "Police Academy" movie was good. The second one was interesting. The third and fourth were forgettable. But this one is abysmal. Note to the producers: this is suppose to be funny. There's a few scenes that merit a smile, but the movie is generally boring. Great to see Harris and Lessard, but I miss Mahoney and Sweetchuck. Thank God it's got a short running time. And thank God I got it for free at my local library. This is it for me folks, I'll stop at the 5th installment of the series and leave the rest to those who want to waste their time. Seen at home, in Toronto, on January 21st, 2007.

54/100 (BOMB)

This film had me in stitches!!! Literally. In my outrage at how awful the film was, I left the cinema early, grumbling and grasping around in the darkened auditorium. I passed a famous golfer who was sitting in my aisle, however I slipped on one of his loose golf balls and tumbled to the floor. The whole cinema audience started laughing! They were pleased that they had gained at least one laugh from their miserable experience. Such a shame that a man breaking his back in real life is funnier than Police Academy 5. I was visited by the golfer some months later, he arrived at my hospital ward. He had brought me some grapes and a copy of Police Academy 7...

Approximately halfway into this film... or is it a third of the way? Time seems quite distended and relative when watching any Police Academy film, but the awfulness of PA5 tends to send one into an alternate dimension where seconds seem to take weeks. Kind of like watching the Benny Hinn show with a fantastic hangover in the middle of a hospital ward, in other words.

Anyways, at some point in the film, our cast decide to indulge in a limbo-dancing event. As G.W. Bailey and Lance Kinsey lament the fact that the time to fire their agent has well and truly passed, and the rest of the cast seem to celebrate the fact that they get to eat this year, the music in the background repeatedly asks us how low can we go. If that isn't irony, I don't know what is.

It is scenes like the one I've just described that Steve Guttenberg and Bobcat Goldthwait obviously read before telling their agent that not working at all was preferable to appearing in this drivel. As we endure endless scenes with extras falling over for no readily apparent reason (although the golf balls sell the illusion effectively enough) or characters tanning the word "dork" onto each others' chests (and that is about as adult as the humour gets here), one of the great theories about family-friendliness is proven. The makers of Police Academy 5 might have made a Police Academy film that is suitable for four-year-olds to watch, but in so doing, they have made a film that only four-year-olds would want to watch.

If your four-year-old is able to read at what we laughingly refer to as an adult level such as I was at that age, they will most likely turn to you when the credits roll and say something along the lines of "well that was stupid, wasn't it?".

The plot revolves around something that probably should have been done at the end of the last film: putting George Gaynes out to pasture. After seeing him in previous Police Academy films and Punky Brewster (often within days of each other), I have a tremendous respect for the man, but he really is just getting too old to do this. By the time Police Academy 8 rolls out, he will be 88. Granted, there are actors who put in great performances at similar ages (Christopher Lee is only about five years his junior), but given that George has started to speak at a rate of about one word an hour, I don't think he's got another film left in him.

Getting back to the plot, anyway, as Commandant Lassard is scheduled to retire, Captain Harris senses an opportunity to become Commandant of the Academy, while his old trainees sense an opportunity to pay respect to a man who had quite the positive impact in their lives.

It sounds like a very flimsy foundation for a film, and to be quite frank, when you've got writers of this calibre putting it together, it is. As has been said earlier, the suitable-for-all-ages mentality is one element that makes the film boring. The performances are another. George Gaynes, in spite of being so old that you aren't sure anymore that he's pretending to be completely unaware, is the only actor in this mess who *doesn't* phone in his performance.

Matt McCoy is a poor substitute for Steve Guttenberg, as is exemplified by the quality of the jokes played on Captain Harris demonstrates. Mahoney wouldn't merely sunburn a word into Harris' chest. We've seen Mahoney smear shoe-polish on a megaphone, cast dispersions on Harris' sexuality, as well as make a laughing stock of the man by spreading the word about an unfortunate accident involving a motorbike and a horse. And that's just in the first film. Sorry, Nick, but to call your effort weak is a form of flattery.

All in all, I gave Police Academy 5 a one out of ten. I don't know what is scarier. That they are making a number 8, or that people have actually voted 10 for this load of dung.

After the 2nd PA movie, most were either mundane and boring or downright atrocious. This one was very good. The Miami Beach setting, the focus on George Gain's character, the main villain hilariously played by Rene Auberjonois (how's my hair), as well as the hilarious scenes with Harris and Proctor, who are at their very best, all make for a very fun and entertaining picture.

There are too many wannabe Siskals, trying to pick every film to death. If you are looking for critical film successes, do not look here. If you are looking for a film that does not take itself seriously, and thereby is fun, then this whole series of films is for you. By the time of this fifth Police Academy film we can view these misfits as old and familiar friends. they each do what they do best. George Gaynes excels as the clueless Eric Lassard, who wanders through life creating chaos in his wake, but always managing to come out on top. He is America's answer to the French Clouseau. Rene Aubejonois is just great as the lead crook in this film. And G.W. Bailey. It takes an actor of rare quality to play the loathed but always accident prone character that he plays. These films are fun, and this one was one of the best.

I'm glad that they finally realised that a criminal to battle against is better than just the in house arguing with Harris and Proctor with a crime chucked in at the end, although you've got to feel sorry for Proctor. If only he'd made friends with Mahoney instead of Harris, he's a sweetheart really.

This film is definitely better than the last. It may be due to the fact that there are less characters this time. It may even be the best of the Police Academy's overall.

We get to see Lassard causing real chaos hear instead of just his two minutes at the beginning and the end as normal.

The boat chase was a bit too similar to the 3rd film and the air chase in number 4, but it works better here as it has more of a context.

I like Tackleberry being so child like and the chance to see more of everyone else's character, but despite the fact I used to fancy Matt McCoy as Nick, he seems slimey now for me.

I'm hoping for a similar format for the next two.

616.85/1000.

As has been said before in my reviews for the previous four 'Police Academy' films, the best of the 'Police Academy' films will always be the original by quite some way. It isn't great and will never be a favourite comedy or overall film of mine, but it clearly knew what it wanted to be so it was easy to take it for what it was and what it set out to do.

It was followed by six sequels, and none of them were as good or even on the same level as the first, though admittedly some are worse than others. Most of them are actually being pretty bad or worse and lose what was enjoyable about the original in the first place. While it was with the fourth film where things properly got particularly stale, it was from the fifth film where finding redeeming qualities proved to be difficult.

Not that 'Police Academy 5' doesn't have them. It has two mildly amusing gags, one with a golf ball and the other involving falling into the water and an alligator. The best performance by a large margin comes from Rene Auberjonois, who seems to be having fun and really makes an effort to liven things up (and he succeeds).

Even with the presence of George Gaynes, G.W. Bailey and Michael Winslow, high points previously, only Auberjonois comes close to giving a good performance. The regulars do do their best but are let down by awful writing and characters that sees bumbling taken to wild extremes that it becomes irritating and intelligence-insultingly stupid. Matt McCoy is an incredibly bland and wooden lead, filling in for Steve Guttenberg (him leaving the series was a very wise decision for him).

'Police Academy 5' looks cheap, with budget and time constraints written all over it, and generally it is also one of the most ineptly directed films of the series. The music, so catchy and infectious in previous instalment, is forgettable at best here and often that is being too kind on it.

Anybody who disliked the writing in the previous three 'Police Academy' sequels will outright hate it here. The dialogue is often mean-spirited and low-brow, and the gags are almost completely unfunny all round (apart from two amusing gags that are not close to being series highlights). They suffer from pedestrian timing and from taking immaturity to a whole new level that one feels their IQ has dropped.

While it has been well established that people don't see the 'Police Academy' films for their stories, the story here feels repetitive and incredibly lazy in execution, and it's only with the kidnapping subplot (which doesn't gel with the rest of the film) where there's a little more momentum. The climax is overlong and dumbness replaces genuine excitement.

Overall, a mess. 2/10 Bethany Cox

The first three police academies were very good silly comedy, they had some great moments were great underdog stories and made you laugh quite a bit, at least me, but by the previous one it just ran out of steam, there was nothing left in the whole Police Academy genre. This one finds a bunch more character combined with out old friends to go to Miami Beach for a convention. Was the worst of the original six. I would not recommend seeing it, although the next one wasn't all that bad.

Steve Guttenberg being out of the series definitely made a difference and a lot of the gimmicks that made the original work were not present in this one. Part of the problem is that it went from being raucous adult comedy to a silly kid's comedy. None of the dirty humor is there anymore and that is sad. Stick with the first three those are very funny.

Miami Vice is an obvious influence here ... and it is nice that we do not get another "let's recruit" new cops and train them movie ... even though this is called Police Academy and that is what that would mean now isn't it? Don't mind that ... but as you could already tell from the previous one, spewing those out with such a frantic pace you could tell, new ideas where sparse.

Where to go and what to do? Maybe that was the reason one of the main guys who got famous with the series got out and did not include himself in this part: Steve Guttenberg. He might have been shooting another movie too, not sure what the reasons where. We get people from previous movies though ... many of them. Especially our favorite guys to hate ... who have a tough job as I already said in the previous movies review.

The scenes on the Miami beach are just plain ridiculous and really seem like sketch comedy with no real value ... other than to fill the run time of the movie and add a gag per minute "score". Even in the previous one where they went to a gay bar (again) for example, you may wonder something that is being asked here: why do I keep falling for these? Because it is a comedy would be the right answer I reckon ... anyway, maybe you care, maybe you don't ... but for a completist, I had to watch them ... and I will revisit the other remaining two movies too ... someday soon.

Stars the cynical and boastful Captain Harris (G. W. Bailey) and his silly , dim-witted lacky Lt. Proctor (Lance Kinsey). As Harris eventually encounters the goods he needs to push Commandant Eric Lassard (George Gaynes) out at the Police Academy: he is one year late for mandatory retirement. But before he abandons, Lassard is chosen as "Police Officer of the Decade", and brings his favorite graduates : Sgts. Hightower, Jones, Tackleberry and Hooks, Lt. Callahan, to the National Police Chiefs Convention in Miami Beach to celebrate with him. As our police officer friends : Bubba Smith : Hightower , David Graf : Tackleberry, Michael Winslow : Jones , Leslie Easterbrook : Callahan , Marion Ramsey : Hooks, Lance Kinsey : Proctor , along with Janet Jones and Matt McCoy undertake an adventurous journey in the sunny Miami . Captain Harris is about to lose his trousers and his mind in Miami! : Miami Beach. Objective: Laughs. Hold everything! The cadets are dropping in on Miami Beach for an all new adventure !

This funny but inferior entry deals with Police Academy's commandant will be honored at a police convention in Miami Beach , subsequently at the airport he picks a wrong bag with stolen diamonds and some nasty owners want them back. Amusing , fun and cheerful film filled with action-packed , thrills , hilarious set-pieces, tongue-in-cheek and lots of humor . More predictable idiocy from the cop shop and no real story to speak of , just more high jinks in this mindless follow-up. The premise is simple and plain , as the misfit , botcher team from the known police force are called to accompany to Commandant Lassard in Miami and there they get in trouble with some valuable robbed diamonds . Director Myerson delivers a mediocre professional work but with no much interest, with knack enough of getting the most out of characters and situations without ever going over the top making for some laughs . This production pays tribute to previous films , but this time the motley, bumbling group goes Miami and repeating former sketches, taking parts here and there . 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 . Regular 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 chaos . Appearing habitual actors in the popular series, such as Seve Guttenberg as Mahoney, Bubba Smith as Hightower , Michael Winslow and adding two newcomers: Matt McCoy and Janet Jones . As our police officer friends (Steve Guttenberg : Mahoney, Bubba Smith : Hightower , Michael Winslow : Jones, Leslie Easterbrook : Callahan, Marion Ramsey : Hooks , Lance Kinsey : Proctor) undertake a sunny adventure through the Miami beaches and Florida marshes including crocodiles attacking them. It contains an attractive and thrilling score by Robert Folk , series' regular , including the classic leitmotif . As well as atmospheric and appropriate cinematography by James Pergola . The motion picture was regular but professionally directed by Alan Myerson.

The series based on the characters written by Neal Israel and Pat Proft is formed by 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 created by Neal Israel, Paul Maslansky, Pat Proft .

The "Police" are back and Miami's got them!

And they can have 'em.

"Police Academy 5" would be a disappointment if a college film class had produced, directed and starred in it. But to think that this was committed by Hollywood suits who thought there was a shred of humor in any of this....

Wait, cleansing breath.... Okay, let's continue.

Guttenberg cut out in the last movie, which leaves McCoy as the "romantic/humorous" lead. But not to worry: the rest of the usual gang of idiots comes along, too. Smith, Winslow, Graf, Easterbrook, Ramsey et al, pop up in Miami to help honor their Commandant (Gaynes) who is being honored as Policeman of the Decade on the eve of his forced retirement. Of course, there's the usual complications of jewel smuggling, kidnapping, chases in the Everglades, purse snatchers in drag....

You want the truth, here's the truth: the best part of this entire movie is watching Jones gallivant around in a swimsuit. Now SHE'S a piece of police-work. And Easterbrook is always good to watch lounging by the pool.

And Winslow's vocal wizardry is good for a few chuckles. That's about it.

Two and a half stars. And the next time someone calls you a "dork" while on the beach, check your chest.

...except for this one. I always loathed and despised this installment in the infamous "comedy" series. Though at times the word "comedy" is loosely applied, as the essence of comedy is to invoke laughter (which these movies do in children...ie, my initial statement). What was it about this movie that always made me loathe it with every fiber of my being, even at age six? Was it the stupid plot? Was it the lack of Steve Gutenberg? Or is it that I've always hated Florida?

No, no, no. The reason I hate this movie? It's simply not Police Academy. It's just a really, really, really, really bad movie with a really stupid and preposterous boat chase at the end. I give it a one out of ten. OFF WITH THEIR HEADS!

As far as I was concerned, the movie was barely passable. If I had to give it a grade, I'd say either D+ or D. There was some humor in the film, but otherwise the plot was pretty thin. I think they should've let it go here instead of making two more films - especially without Guttenberg around.

Where to begin with this one? It's hard to describe how bad this film really is. I was never a fan of the way-too-long-running 'Police Academy' series back in their Eighties heyday, and always did my best to avoid them. Recently, though, I was at a friend's house when he insisted on watching the whole of this catastrophic waste of celluloid as it was being screened on ITV2 on a Sunday afternoon. Even by the low standards set by previous entries in this series, this has to be far worse than anyone could reasonably expect. I'm not without a sense of humour; slapstick and farce, when done by film-makers who actually know what they're doing, can be hilarious - see the 'Naked Gun' films. But the makers of this stinker seem to have no idea about any of the technical aspects that make a comedy movie work. This film is badly directed, has hardly any plot, and plays out like a string of poorly-staged practical jokes thrown together by an untalented bunch of film students. Most of the jokes are so puerile and pathetic that it's insulting to expect anyone older than about 8 years old to find them funny, and some of the dialogue gives the impression that it's been made-up on the spot because it's so weak and unfunny you can't believe it's actually been scripted. At least Steve Guttenburg had some idea about comic timing and delivery of lines - his absence here shows-up most of the rest of the cast looking awkward and embarrassing, delivering some of the weakest one-liners since 'The Krankies'. Anyone who finds this moronic monstrosity of a movie funny, desperately needs a sense of humour transplant.

Another awesome police academy. I like all the funny jokes and situations that happened during this movie

I watched the first recently for the first time in a while, and really enjoyed it. I remember not being such a fan of this one, it's a painful, excruciating watch, it's a dismal movie. Steve Guttenberg had been the central figure, his absence really tells, and the rest of the cast struggle to make up for it, mainly because of the bad script and poor jokes. I tried to laugh, but there were no moments to merit one. Even Lassard and Harris are of form.

Even six is better. 1/10

"Police Academy 5" is a pure mess of a film. This time our heroes travel to Miami to honor their commandant. However, they end up chasing three dim-witted jewel thieves who are just as annoying as the primary cast. A film that should be avoided at all costs. Turkey (0 out of 5 stars).