Police Academy (1984)

Police Academy is a comedy film from 1984 that follows a group of misfit recruits as they go through police training. The movie is filled with hijinks, slapstick humor, and many, many jokes. The likable characters and abundance of humor are the film's strengths. The story revolves around Cadet Mahoney, played by Steve Gutenberg, who initially tries to get kicked out of the Police Academy but ends up staying and falling in love with Cadet Thompson, played by Kim Cattrall. The standout performances include G.W. Bailey as the strict Lieutenant Harris and George Gaines as the flighty Commandant Lassard. The film is known for its iconic scenes, such as the Blue Oyster Bar and Commandant Lassard with the prostitute. Overall, Police Academy is a fun and entertaining comedy that still holds up after 40 years. Jason and Bill discuss some of their favorite scenes from the movie. They highlight the comedic moments involving Tackleberry and Hightower's overnight driving lesson. They also mention some honorable mentions, such as Michael Winslow's sound effects and Leslie's revenge against the truck driving crew. In the "Swiss Cheese and Complaint Department" segment, they discuss the non-PC elements of the film and the repetitive nature of some of the characters. They also mention some minor plot holes, such as Hightower's lack of driving experience during the driving test. In the "Hey, It's That Actor" segment, they spotlight John Hawkes, who played an uncredited role as the driver of the Teske truck in Police Academy. They also mention Dar Robinson, a famous stunt coordinator who appeared in the film. The film was a box office success, grossing $81.2 million domestically. While it received negative reviews from critics, it spawned six sequels and a television series.