Police Academy 3 : Instructeurs de choc

I saw POLICE ACADEMY 3: BACK IN TRAINING on cable one night and I have to say for a second sequel, POLICE ACADEMY 3: BACK IN TRAINING is pretty funny. It's not quite as funny as the first two POLICE ACADEMY movies, but is pretty close. It's kind of like the first POLICE ACADEMY except with a different set of people being trained to be cops. The characters are hilarious and so is the movie.

It's back to where it all started for the gang as they assist trainees who are as inept as they were. Squealing Goldthwait is now a wannabe cop and in a perfect idea by the screenwriter is roommated with meek little Mr. Sweetchuck, whom he terrorized throughout part 2. The most notable newcomer is Brian Tochi as the Japanese youngster obsessed with Easterbrook's breasts (who wouldnt be?). The climax is a little more exciting than in the recent films (a jet-ski chase) and is filmed very nicely. And it's odd how with each film the running time gets shorter, only 83 minutes here. But still enjoyable the third time around.

In this sequel, the same slapsticks that have been used in the first two movies are apparent and that's what makes it fun to watch. Michael Winslow, who plays Jones, has once again entertained me with his vocal prowess. Also Hooks' (Marion Ramsey) timidness is easily shrouded by her tough side always saying "Don't move, dirtbag!"

Steve Guttenberg (Mahoney) didn't need to stretch his role for this one. It is still fun to watch after 13 years of it's initial release. One of a perfect movies to watch on a lazy Sunday afternoon.

Police Academy films are a weakness of mine, they are stupid, vapid, idiotic and funny as all hell. I do so love these characters and they are in top form as the goofball graduates from the first Academy come back to save their alma mater.

It seems that budget constraints have forced Governor Ed Nelson to close one of the two Police Academies. The first one is run by clueless Commandant Lassard as played by George Gaynes. The second is a discipline factory run by the nemesis of the graduates from the second Police Academy movie, Sergeant Mauser, played with relish by Art Metrano now a commandant of that Academy.

So a contest is to be held to see which one stays open and our regulars, Steve Guttenberg, Bubba Smith, Michael Winslow, Marion Ramsey, David Graf, and Leslie Esterbrook go back to help the captain they made life hell for as cadets.

When you think about it, are the Police Academy movies any different than the classic Keystone Kops? A lot of the same gags are used and a lot more of them that could never have been got away with back in those days. But the idea is the same, an irreverence for law enforcement in the funniest way.

These are not films to write elegant tomes about, they are films to laugh whatever part of your anatomy off you want.

While still suffering from the humor limitations of being rated PG, "Police Academy 3" has sight gags enough to make it worth watching a few times (at least more often than "Part II").

The gang's all here and trying to train a new line of cadets in their own image (poor cadets) while Lassard (Gaynes) tends to his goldfish and tools about in his modified golf cart.

Even Bobcat Goldthwait returns as Zed, this time training to be a force of good. His scenes breathe a lot of life into this affair, as he screams at doors until they fall down, terrorizes his fellow cadets, hot wires police cars with his teeth and sings at the most inopportune times.

Everyone else has at least one good scene, maybe two. And considering how many are in the cast, that leaves room for a lot of good scenes. Even Georgina Spelvin is back from the original and, bless her, she makes good, too (though not as hilarious as in the original).

This is about as good as the sequels get, so look no further for laughs than "Police Academy 3: Back in Training". Definitely Bubba Smith's finest hour.

Seven stars. Good job, officers.