Police Academy 3: Back in Training

Last updated
Police Academy 3: Back in Training
Police Academy 3 film.jpg
Theatrical release poster by Drew Struzan
Directed by Jerry Paris
Written by Gene Quintano
Based on
Characters
by
Produced by Paul Maslansky
Starring
CinematographyRobert Saad
Edited by Bud Molin
Music by Robert Folk
Distributed by Warner Bros.
Release date
  • March 21, 1986 (1986-03-21)
Running time
83 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$12 million [1]
Box office$107.6 million [1]

Police Academy 3: Back in Training is a 1986 American comedy film directed by Jerry Paris. It is the third installment of the Police Academy franchise and the sequel to Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment .

Contents

Despite receiving generally negative reviews, [2] it was an overall box office success, earning $107 million against a budget of $12 million.

Plot

In a large parking garage, Commandant Mauser (Art Metrano) and Captain Proctor (Lance Kinsey) meet with Sgts. Chad Copeland (Scott Thomson) and Kyle Blankes (Brant van Hoffman) from Commandant Lassard's police academy. One of the two police academies is going to be phased out by the state government due to budgetary restraints, and Mauser wants them to ensure Lassard fails. Agreeing to the plan, they see it as revenge against Lassard for graduating them at the bottom of their class.

The following day, after the governor (Ed Nelson) announces he will appoint a committee to evaluate which academy will remain open, Mauser lightly cajoles him. Sgt. Jones (Michael Winslow) undermines him by subtly humiliating him in front of the governor. Commandant Lassard (George Gaynes) realizes how to win: with Sgt. Jones and Lt. Callahan (Leslie Easterbrook), he calls back Sgt. Mahoney (Steve Guttenberg), Sgt. Hooks (Marion Ramsey), Sgt. Hightower (Bubba Smith), and Sgt. Tackleberry (David Graf) as trainers for the new recruits.

Among those are Sgt. Fackler's (Bruce Mahler) wife Violet (Debralee Scott), who he opposes joining the force; Sweetchuck (Tim Kazurinsky) and Zed (Bobcat Goldthwait), who have a history as Zed's gang had harassed him when he was a small shop owner; Karen Adams (Shawn Weatherly), a beautiful young woman Mahoney is attracted to but who rejects him; and Tackleberry's brother-in-law Bud Kirkland (Andrew Paris). Tomoko Nogata (Brian Tochi), initially a recruit of Mauser's academy, is transferred by Mauser into Lassard's instead, in the hopes of sabotaging it.

After a few weeks of training, Nogata is lovestruck by Callahan. Sweetchuck contemplates quitting, as his assigned roommate Zed drives him crazy; but Tackleberry dissuades him, taking him under his wing. Copeland and Blankes make the recruits do things so the committee questions their competence. At the recruits' initial failure, Mauser and Proctor tease them. In retaliation, Mahoney tapes Mauser's eyes closed with extremely strong tape while doing a taste test. Proctor removes the tape, but unintentionally pulls off Mauser's eyebrows.

Lassard and Mahoney give a pep talk to the cadets before training resumes. Adams finally warms up to Mahoney after the talk, and they bond. At the policepersons' ball, Mahoney sees his prostitute friend (Georgina Spelvin), and after Proctor insults him and Adams, he has her trick Proctor into stripping naked and then locks him out of the hotel room. Trying to get back to the academy, Proctor accidentally enters the Blue Oyster Bar. Meanwhile, Mauser insults Lassard in front of the recruits by telling him that he is winning. Mahoney retaliates by giving a speech at the ball and puts the microphone in water, so when Mauser grabs it, he gets a shock.

On the final day of the cadet training/evaluation competition, one recruit from each academy attends the governor's ball (Proctor misunderstands and sends two, one of whom is portrayed by David James Elliott). Copeland and Blankes attempts to manipulate the computer system, deliberately sending patrol cars to the wrong locations, but are caught in the act, and Hooks knocks them out. At the governor's party, a gang of thieves dressed as busboys rob the guests, taking the governor hostage. Mauser's cadets promptly faint upon being threatened by the thieves, but Lassard cadet Hedges (David Huband) alerts Mahoney, and Lassard and his crew immediately set out to help. Mauser's academy is ineffective in reacting to the emergency, but Lassard's squad arrives in time to fight off the thieves and rescue the governor.

The governor shuts down Mauser's academy for failing to stop the robbery at the party, so Lassard's stays open. In the epilogue, Lassard speaks about the academy's gratitude for the "many, many" recruits. The graduating class salutes the camera as the film ends.

Cast

Lassard Academy

Mauser Academy

Lassard's Cadets

Mauser's Cadets

Others

Production

Filming

As with other films in the series, the film was shot primarily in Toronto, Ontario, Canada [ citation needed ]. The city skyline is clearly identifiable in the concluding 'yacht club' scenes. There is also the scene where the female recruit drives the police car up and over a dirt pile out of an alley. At the end of the alley, there is a Toronto Sun paper box. The city grid shown on the computerized dispatch system also shows a map of downtown Toronto streets, with the detail bordering between Trinity, Yonge, and Queen streets, and the Gardiner Expressway. In the scene in which Tackleberry shoots out the television screen with his gun, a Canada Dry soda machine is visible in the background next to a 'C' Plus soda machine, an orange-flavoured sparkling beverage that is only sold in Canada.

Reception

Box office

The film debuted at number one at the box office in the United States. [3] The film grossed $43,579,163 in the United States making it the 17th highest-grossing film of 1986 in the United States. [4] It faced stiff box office competition from many other high-profile comedy films released early that year such as Back To School , Ruthless People , Ferris Bueller's Day Off , Down And Out In Beverly Hills , Legal Eagles , Short Circuit , Running Scared , The Money Pit , Gung Ho , Hannah and Her Sisters , Wildcats , and Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling . The film grossed $107,639,000 worldwide from a budget of $12 million. [1]

Critical response

On Rotten Tomatoes, it has an approval rating of 36% based on reviews from 11 critics. [5] On Metacritic, it has a score of 33 out of 100 based on reviews from 8 critics, indicating "generally unfavorable reviews". [6] Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film a grade B+. [7]

Variety wrote: "Cast of cartoon misfits is still basically intact and if Police Academy 3 has any charm it’s in the good-natured dopeyness of these people. No bones about it, these people are there to laugh at." [8] Kevin Thomas of the Los Angeles Times wrote: "The most you can say for “Police Academy 3: Back in Training” (citywide) is that it’s no worse than “Police Academy 2"—which was awful." [9]

Related Research Articles

<i>Police Academy</i> (franchise) Series of comedy films

Police Academy is a series of American comedy films, the first six of which were made in the 1980s and the seventh in 1994. The series opened with Police Academy (1984), which started with the premise that a new mayor had announced a policy requiring the police department to accept all willing recruits. The film followed a group of misfit recruits in their attempts to prove themselves capable of being police officers, and succeeding both in spite of and because of their eccentricities. The main character in the first four films, Carey Mahoney, is a repeat offender forced to join the police academy as punishment. The seventh and to date last installment, Mission to Moscow, was released in 1994. In September 2018, Guttenberg announced that a new Police Academy film was in development.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Drill instructor</span> Military training officer

A drill instructor is a non-commissioned officer in the armed forces, fire department, or police forces with specific duties that vary by country. Foot drill, military step, and marching are typically taught by drill instructors.

Commandant Eric Lassard is a fictional character in the 1984 film Police Academy, as well as its six sequels. He was portrayed by George Gaynes.

Commandant is a title often given to the officer in charge of a military training establishment or academy. This usage is common in English-speaking nations. In some countries it may be a military or police rank. It is also often used to refer to the commander of a military prison or prison camp.

<i>Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment</i> 1985 film directed by Jerry Paris

Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment is a 1985 American comedy film directed by Jerry Paris. It is the second installment in the Police Academy franchise and the sequel to Police Academy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hendon Police College</span>

Hendon Police College is the principal training centre for London's Metropolitan Police.

<i>Police Academy 5: Assignment Miami Beach</i> 1988 film by Alan Myerson

Police Academy 5: Assignment: Miami Beach is a 1988 American comedy film directed by Alan Myerson. It is the fifth installment in the Police Academy franchise, released on March 18, 1988. The film was given a PG rating for language and ribald humor.

<i>Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol</i> 1987 film by Jim Drake

Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol is a 1987 American comedy film. It is the fourth installment in the Police Academy franchise. It was released on April 3, 1987 and is the sequel to Police Academy 3: Back in Training.

<i>Police Academy</i> (film) 1984 American film directed by Hugh Wilson

Police Academy is a 1984 American comedy film directed by Hugh Wilson in his directorial debut, and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. Its storyline follows a new recruitment policy for an unnamed city's police academy to take in any recruit who wishes to apply and study to become a police officer. The film stars Steve Guttenberg, Kim Cattrall, and G. W. Bailey.

<i>Police Academy 6: City Under Siege</i> 1989 film by Peter Bonerz

Police Academy 6: City Under Siege is a 1989 American comedy crime film starring Bubba Smith, David Graf and Michael Winslow. It was directed by Peter Bonerz and written by Stephen Curwick, based on characters created by Neal Israel and Pat Proft. The film was given a PG rating for violence and language. This was the fifth and last Police Academy sequel to be released in the year immediately following the previous installment of the series. It would take five years until the release of the following film, Police Academy: Mission to Moscow. Police Academy 6: City Under Siege was also the last film in the series to feature Bubba Smith, Marion Ramsey, Bruce Mahler, Lance Kinsey and George R. Robertson as Hightower, Hooks, Fackler, Proctor and Commissioner Hurst respectively.

<i>Police Academy: Mission to Moscow</i> 1994 film directed by Alan Metter

Police Academy: Mission to Moscow is a 1994 American action comedy film starring George Gaynes, Michael Winslow, David Graf, and Claire Forlani. It is the seventh and final installment in the Police Academy franchise to date, and sequel to Police Academy 6: City Under Siege. The film was directed by Alan Metter and written by Randolph Davis and Michele S. Chodos. George Gaynes, Michael Winslow and David Graf were the only three cast members to appear in all seven films.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Police Academy Stunt Show</span>

Police Academy Stunt Show or Loca Academia de Policía is a slapstick comedy stunt show located at Parque Warner Madrid. Formerly, the show was also at Warner Bros. Movie World (1991–2008), Six Flags Magic Mountain (1994), and Warner Bros. Movie World Germany (1996–2004).

Bruce Mahler is an American actor, producer, and writer. He is known for his role as Sgt. Fackler in the comedy films Police Academy, and as Rabbi Glickman on the sitcom Seinfeld.

<i>Police Academy</i> (TV series) American animated television series (1988–1989)

Police Academy is a 1988 animated television series based on the Police Academy series of films. The show was produced by Ruby-Spears Enterprises for Warner Bros. Television. It aired weekdays and lasted two seasons for a total of 65 episodes.

<i>Police Academy: The Series</i> American-Canadian TV sitcom (1997–1998)

Police Academy: The Series is a sitcom series that was a spin-off from the Police Academy series of films. Michael Winslow was the only actor from the Police Academy films to have a recurring role on the show, although several of the film's cast made occasional guest appearances. The series was written by Paul Maslansky and produced by James Margellos and Gary M. Goodman and aired in syndication from September 27, 1997, until May 23, 1998.

Royal Marines Cadets (SCC) are part of the Sea Cadets, a United Kingdom uniformed youth organization was formed in 1955 by the then Commandant General Royal Marines – General Sir Campbell Richard Hardy, KCB, CBE, DSO & Bar. The Royal Marines Cadets of the SCC specialise in activities such as orienteering, fieldcraft, and weapon handling.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toby Proctor</span> Canadian actor

Toby Proctor is a Canadian voice, film and television actor. He voiced Darien/Tuxedo Mask in the English dub of the Sailor Moon anime in 54 episodes of the first two series. His other roles include Alex Flash Gordon in Flash Gordon and Copycat Ken in Ranma ½.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scott Thomson (actor)</span> American actor (born 1957)

Scott Thomson is an American actor. He has appeared in the films Twister (1996), Ghoulies (1985), Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982) and Police Academy (1984).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indonesian Air Force Academy</span>

The Air Force Academy sometimes shortened as IDAFA, is a service academy of the Indonesian Air Force, the air force component of the Indonesian National Armed Forces Academy System or the AKABRI. Its campus is located in the Adisutjipto Air Force Base complex in Yogyakarta, Special Region of Yogyakarta and trains men and women to become commissioned officers of the Indonesian Air Force. Of all the service academies in Indonesia, despite the AAU having been opened in November 1945, it has roots dating back to 1921.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Block, Alex Ben; Wilson, Lucy Autrey, eds. (2010). George Lucas's Blockbusting: A Decade-by-Decade Survey of Timeless Movies Including Untold Secrets of Their Financial and Cultural Success . HarperCollins. p.  631. ISBN   9780061778896.
  2. ↑ "Movie Reviews : 'Police Academy 3' Is Not The Ticket". The Los Angeles Times . Retrieved 2010-11-11.
  3. ↑ "Police Academy 3' Opening Steals Top Box-office Spot". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved 2010-11-09.
  4. ↑ Police Academy 3: Back in Training at Box Office Mojo
  5. ↑ "Police Academy 3". Rotten Tomatoes . Retrieved 2023-11-25.
  6. ↑ "Police Academy 3". Metacritic . Retrieved 2020-05-04.
  7. ↑ "Cinemascore". Archived from the original on December 20, 2018. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
  8. ↑ Variety Staff (1 January 1986). "Police Academy 3 – Back in Training". Variety.
  9. ↑ KEVIN THOMAS MARCH 24, 1986. "Movie Reviews : 'Police Academy 3' Is Not The Ticket". The Los Angeles Times . Retrieved 2020-05-04.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.