Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment

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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I remember seeing Police Academy 2 ages ago, and hard to believe it was released in 1985. Anyway, the fun is still there, and whilst not as hilarious as the original, it still has its moments for sure.

Perhaps a reboot is in order with British actors, such as the acclaimed actor Danny Dyer.

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

The first "Police academy" wasn't exactly the most intellectual or most endearing of films. It did however provide a good fun and was a box office success. It grossed over 100 million dollars , so a sequel wasn't really a surprise. I don't really think that there was any potential to make a good comedy series here , but that's Hollywood. They should stop with this one. The rest movies of the series are just embarrassing.

"Police academy 2: Their first assignment" takes the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" approach. It was quickly rushed into production to capitalize on the successful first film. This movie is rated PG-13 and it's kinda sad that they toned down the raunchy humor and crude manners. It's obviously not as fresh or funny as the original , but it has it's moments.

Jerry Paris replaces Hugh Wilson as the director and there are new writers Barry Blaustein and David Sheffield. The score is once again by Robert Folk. The old characters are back - Mahoney, Tackleberry, Hightower, Hooks, Fackler, Jones, and Commandant Lassard. We are introduced to an array of new characters such as Lt. Mauser , Proctor , Pete Lassard , Sweetchuck , Zed , Vinnie and Kirkland. The filmmakers sure had the knack for creating memorable funny characters. Bobcat Goldthwait is sometimes funny and sometimes annoying with his nervous voice and ticks. Peter Van Norden shines as the gross-out cop who eats anything and Tim Kazurinsky is just adorable as the unlucky merchant. Other characters both old and new are also entertaining.

The best jokes ? The opening of this film having a guy locking up his store , Michael Winslow's Bruce Lee impersonation , forced anal inspection , Sweetchuck constantly terrorized by Zed, the subplot with Tackleberry finding the girl of his dreams. If you liked the first one you should have some fun with this one too. Everything else is practically the same, and more of it.

The thing about this movie as compared to the sequels is that this one is funny (at least sometimes). After this one the movies went completely downhill. I give it 4/10.

Of course I have seen the 1985 slapstick comedy "Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment" before, several times actually. But I needed no persuasion to return to watch the movie again, as I opted to do so here in 2025.

Writers Barry W. Blaustein and David Sheffield put together a good script that combines a good story with funny situations and memorable characters.

There are some good laughs throughout the course of the movie, delivered by a combination of characters, dialogue and situations.

The acting performances in "Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment" are good, and the cast ensemble is equally good. You are in good company here with the likes of Steve Guttenberg, Bubba Smith, David Graf, Michael Winslow, Marion Ramsey, Howard Hesseman, Art Metrano, Bobcat Goldthwait, Julie Brown, Lance Kinsey, Jason Hervey and George Gaynes.

If you haven't already watched this 1985 movie and you get the chance, it is a movie well-worth spending 87 minutes on watching.

My rating of directors Jerry Paris and James Signorelli 1985 movie "Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment" lands on a six out of ten stars.