Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment (1985)

Elevator Pitch: After some serious gang violence in his New York precinct Lt Pete Lassard calls his brother, the head of the Police Academy for help, and in return the Commandant sends his top recruits to help out. Apart from the gang out on the streets the recruits must deal with Lt Ernie Mauser who sabotages their work, in order to take over the precinct.  But without any help from Mauser they have operational failures. Meanwhile the firearm obsessed Tackleberry is partnered with a female motor cycle cop, also similarly obsessed. In a final attempt to deal with the villains Mahoney disguised as a punk joins the gang.

Content: One sexual event is implied but no nudity, a bit of drinking in bars visited by the crew. An accidental shoot-out in a lamp emporium resulting in its total destruction. Mauser is tricked into shampooing his hair with epoxy glue resulting in him having to wear a wig. The gang led by Zed create a bit of havoc in a supermarket. Mahoney is paired up with a total slob of a dog handler. They drive about in the handler’s truck. Tackleberry goes to dinner with Kirkland’s family who fight – literally – all the time. There is a street fair and a finale in the gang’s headquarters in the old city zoo.

A View: I have given myself the task of watching all of the seven or eight sequels to the original. This one, stunningly, cost $7.5 million and took $10 million on its first weekend, ending up taking $115 million worldwide, this despite negative reviews from the critics.  Actually it was not really very good and did not feature George Gains much as the vague Commandant of the academy, possibly the funniest moment being when he accidentally boils his goldfish.  Bit it is inoffensive so a watch while doing something else. 

Additional Info: The film was more expensive than the first because filming was done in LA rather than Toronto.