POLICE ACADEMY

1984 / Director. Hugh Wilson.

I think the Police Academy franchise is hardly done-by. It's the series that everyone loves to bag out and YET almost everyone knows... and could probably name each of the movie's subtitles (i.e. Citizens On Patrol). I will openly admit to being a fan and aside from the truly atrocious 7th instalment (Mission to Moscow) each of them has their own appeal... some better than others but all fun. It all began with the original 1984 classic. At the time it was competing with a whole line of screwball sex-romp movies and its police academy setting made it a little more unique. Written by legendary comedy writer Pat Proft and directed by Hugh Wilson the movie ultimately played down the sex stuff and went for the situation gags. They gave themselves a fantastic concept & setting and the jokes were ripe for picking. Credit has to be given to the cast also, with Steve Guttenberg headlining an ensemble including Kim Cattrell, Donovan Scott, George Gaynes, GW Bailey and David Graf... each character has their own quirk and every actor nails it. Kudos to the rest of the franchise, too  because some of the best characters don't appear until later films (Zed and Proctor for example). Less screwball than it's sequels, Police Academy is a winner and don't believe most people when they tell you that it's shit (they've seen it more than once). 

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