Police Academies One through Three
A few kids came over this weekend for a movie screening and review. During the film selection process, Dave plopped down a box-set of Police Academies 1-7, which I instantly fell in love with. Unfortunately none of these comedic gems were chosen as the film du jour, but Michael and I have had fun with them since…
Michael watched 1 and 2, I watched the end of 2 and we both watched 3. As with most 80s movies I haven’t seen in many years, I realize what idiots most children are. Or at least, what an idiot I was… since I missed all the gags in those movies. Only the very pointed ones got through to me - that Hightower is gigantic and people are afraid of him, that Bobcat Golthwait is completely insane, that Commandant Lassard is a huge idiot, etc. (photo courtesy Dave also.)
Considering that the films weren’t “good” to start with, they certainly hold up. The plots are not complex, so there are few plot holes. The characters, despite being present in a full-on movie franchise, are pretty superficial, so you don’t really worry too much about characterization. (Although, if I were still in school, I would totally try to write a paper about racism and exploitation of African Americans in this franchise, particularly as it relates to the characters Hightower and Hooks, and try desperately not to get sidetracked by the subjectivication of women that is omnipresent also.)
So anyways. They are short and to the point – not much more effort than watching a one-hour TV drama. Everything wraps up neatly and with much sexual tension, er, harassment. A good time is had by all. Except the bad guys, natch.
If anything changes in films four through seven, I will be sure to report back. I’m particularly excited about 4, Citizens On Patrol - the last one that features Guttenberg. Unless he stars/directs the 8th one of course…
