Police Academy 3: Back in Training

Name: Police Academy 3: Back in Training
Genre: Comedy
Released: March 21, 1986
Duration: 83 min
Rating: 33
Cast: Art Metrano, Bobcat Goldthwait, Bubba Smith, David Graf, George Gaynes

1986

METASCORE

Generally unfavorable reviews based on 8 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 25 Ratings

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6.2

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6.2	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 25 Ratings

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Police Academy 3: Back In Training

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Movie Details & Credits

Warner Bros. | Release Date: March 21, 1986 | TV-PG

Starring: Art Metrano, Bobcat Goldthwait, Bubba Smith, David Graf, George Gaynes, Leslie Easterbrook, Marion Ramsey, Michael Winslow, Steve Guttenberg, Tim Kazurinsky

Summary: The alumni of Commandant Lassard's Police Academy (1984) return to the school to train new recruits and prevent its closure.

Director: Jerry Paris

Genre(s): Comedy

Rating: TV-PG

Runtime: 83 min

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Critic Reviews

Staff (Not Credited)

The slim plot is a feeble excuse for a series of set pieces, some of which can be seen coming even before the opening credits roll, and a handful that are genuinely funny. Read full review

Staff (Not Credited)

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. Read full review

Vincent Canby

The plot, which more or less prompts the gags without interfering with them, has something to do with a competition between the two police academies to see which one will survive a state-decreed budget cut. It's perfectly serviceable. Read full review

Empire Ian Freer

It has all the required Police Academy staples and is one of the better sequels but this whole franchise is so dated that isn't saying much. Read full review

Kevin Thomas

The most you can say for Police Academy 3: Back in Training is that it's no worse than "Police Academy 2" -- which was awful. [24 Mar 1986, p.Cal-7]

TV Guide Magazine Staff (Not Credited)

Sure, the humor is witless and the gags are often inane, but, given the quality of its predecessors, POLICE ACADEMY 3: BACK IN TRAINING has the dubious honor of being the funniest of the series to date. Read full review

Rick Kogan

At its worst, a distasteful series of homophobic, racist and sexist jokes, and otherwise little more than jollies of the most juvenile and locker room sort. [24 Mar 1986, p.5C]

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User Reviews

Kai82

May 9, 2021

I see the third movie as improvement and the best sequel in the franchise. Almost everyone from the first movie returns together with the newcomers from the sequel. It is an enjoyable experience full of great humor with the charming cast that fully delivers. The story starts with budget cutsI see the third movie as improvement and the best sequel in the franchise. Almost everyone from the first movie returns together with the newcomers from the sequel. It is an enjoyable experience full of great humor with the charming cast that fully delivers. The story starts with budget cuts by the state government. Because they wont afford 2 different police academy's anymore they want to close one. This will be done via competition. An impartial committee will evaluate both academies simultaneously and declare the winner. Commandant Lassard calls back his best recruits to help him to win the competition by training the recruits. This is the start of a humorous attack on your risible muscles. The story is pretty good and also realistic. So much budget was cut for the police in real life that they are barely functional (Valid for a lot of countries not only the USA). Back to the movie. What makes it interesting is that the other academy's leader is Ernie Mauser who worked his way up there from Police Academy 2. He is far better prepared as it seems the lowered standards for recruits only apply to the other academy's city (This was the beginning plot point of the first movie). He only took the best recruits. Of cause he is supported by his right hand man Carl Proctor. I fell full nostalgia at writing this. It has great humor throughout the whole movie. Again the use of stereotypes, pranks, word puns, parody and charming quirky characters work so well. We got the team back in action with Steve Guttenberg as Carey Mahoney, David Graf as Eugene Tackleberry, Michael Winslow as Larvell Jones, Bubba Smith as Moses Hightower, Marion Ramsey as Laverne Hooks and Bruce Mahler as Douglas Fackler. Leslie Easterbrook returns as Debbie Callahan and George Gaynes get a bigger role as Eric Lassard. These are an awesome cast and were iconic for the time. The new recruits are good too. We got the return of characters from Police Academy 2. Zed McGlunk played by Bobcat Goldwait joins the academy. He is accompanied by Carl Sweetchuck played by Tim Kazurinsky. These 2 are a great addition. New are Brian Tochi as Tomoko Nogato and Debralee Scott as Violet Fackler (Yes, she is Douglas wife). Like I already said for the antagonist we got Art Metrano as Ernie Mauser and Lance Kinsey as Carl proctor. Both are so enjoyable. The cast is the strength of the movie as they enhance the humor and whole experience. I give here my nostalgia warning as the franchise is full of childhood memories. However I think it is still a good comedy for its time and an improvement from Police Academy 2. Overall I say this is the best sequel in the franchise. Non of the following movies reaches this level again.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

Pan_Krytyk

Aug 16, 2022

stara ale jara komedia.... bawi,śmieszy, rozluznia... generalnie o to chodziło także polecam.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

clem666

May 9, 2023

Even if the background plot manages to be kind of original with the budget cuts events, the rest of the movie simply is a mindblowing set of childish, sexist and racist gags. And these moderately funny scenes are not even related to the main story. Plus it eventually ends up in a ocean ofEven if the background plot manages to be kind of original with the budget cuts events, the rest of the movie simply is a mindblowing set of childish, sexist and racist gags. And these moderately funny scenes are not even related to the main story. Plus it eventually ends up in a ocean of predactibility.
I was suprised by the overall decent quality of the cast even if Steve Guttenberg (embodying Sgt. Carey Mahoney) is perfect for the cheeky brat role. I don't know why, but Bobcat Goldthwait as Cadet Zed really has potential, as his character brings a cartoonish flavor that complements the tone of the film rather well. Same for Michael Winslow playing as Sgt. Larvelle Jones and shows an impressive palette of vocal skills. The big boss is the only one of the cast not sounding totally stupid, racist or misogynist. But maybe it is because he is the only one not trying to make silly jokes.
Soundtrack is lame as hell and the main theme is repeated until you can't hear it anymore.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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