“Police Academy 5: Assignment Miami Beach 1988” is a goofy comedy where the bumbling cops from the previous films somehow end up in Miami. There’s a jewel heist, a boat chase, and lots of slapstick humor. It’s like a cartoon brought to life, full of silly gags and one-liners. Overall, it’s not high art but it can be fun if you’re in the mood for some mindless entertainment.
Review
Police Academy 5: Assignment Miami Beach – A George Orwell Style Review
The fifth installment in the Police Academy franchise, Assignment Miami Beach, was released in 1988. The film was directed by Alan Myerson and written by Stephen Curwick and Paul Bonneau. It stars many of the familiar faces from the previous movies, including Bubba Smith as Hightower and Michael Winslow as Jones.
The film follows the gang of misfit police officers as they head to Miami Beach for a police convention. When a wealthy businessman is targeted by a group of thieves, it’s up to our heroes to solve the case before it’s too late.
As always with Police Academy movies, the plot is pretty thin. It serves mostly as an excuse to get our characters into ridiculous situations and let them showcase their over-the-top comedic talents. There are plenty of scenes involving pratfalls, sight gags, and one-liners that are sure to elicit some laughs.
One of the primary strengths of this series has always been its characters. Whether it’s the lovable goofball Mahoney (played by Steve Guttenberg) or the stoic yet intimidating Hightower (Bubba Smith), each character has their own unique quirks and personality traits that make them memorable.
In this movie, we also get introduced to a new character: Sgt. Nick Lassard (played by Matt McCoy), younger brother of Commandant Lassard (George Gaynes). He’s portrayed as an earnest yet somewhat bumbling officer who is eager to prove himself to his older brother.
While there are plenty of big names in this movie – including veteran actors like René Auberjonois and Robert Davi – it’s really the cast of regulars that steal the show. Michael Winslow’s sound effects alone are worth the price of admission.
But despite its inherent silliness, Police Academy 5: Assignment Miami Beach does have some notable flaws. For one thing, the plot is pretty predictable. Anyone who’s seen a few of these movies knows pretty much what to expect from start to finish.
Additionally, some of the humor can be a bit crass or cheesy. While there are definitely some laugh-out-loud moments, there are also plenty of groan-worthy jokes and slapstick routines that feel more juvenile than clever.
One of the most interesting things about Assignment Miami Beach is its setting. This movie was filmed on location in Miami Beach, and it definitely feels like a product of its time. The vibrant colors and flashy clothing choices are quintessentially 80s, and there’s even a montage set to the tune of “Miami Vice” that feels like a callback to that iconic TV show.
Overall, Police Academy 5: Assignment Miami Beach is an entertaining if somewhat uneven comedy. It’s not going to win any awards for its storytelling or cinematography, but it’s got enough heart and humor to make it worth a watch – especially if you’re already a fan of the series.
In terms of score and popularity, Assignment Miami Beach didn’t quite live up to the box office numbers of previous Police Academy movies. It grossed just over $19 million domestically – a far cry from the $81 million earned by Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment.
But despite its middling success at the box office, this movie has developed something of a cult following over the years. Its absurdity and offbeat sense of humor have endeared it to fans who enjoy watching movies that don’t take themselves too seriously.
Even though it’s been over three decades since Assignment Miami Beach first hit theaters, it still holds up surprisingly well today. There’s something timeless about watching these hapless cops stumble their way through one misadventure after another – no matter how many times you’ve seen it before.
In terms of production, Assignment Miami Beach was another “paint-by-numbers” entry for the franchise. It features the same familiar crew of writers, producers, and directors that worked on the earlier movies. And while there wasn’t anything particularly groundbreaking about the filmmaking this time around, it’s clear that everyone involved was still having fun.
In conclusion, Police Academy 5: Assignment Miami Beach may not be a cinematic masterpiece, but it’s definitely a fun way to spend an hour and a half. Its characters are charming, its jokes are goofy, and its setting is bright and colorful. If you’re looking for some mindless entertainment with a few laughs thrown in, this movie is definitely worth checking out. As George Orwell might say: “All movies are equal, but some movies are more equal than others.”
Technical Data
- Runtime : 90
- Release : 1988-03-17
- Genre : Comedy, Crime
- Cast : Bubba Smith as Hightower, David Graf as Tackleberry, Michael Winslow as Jones, Leslie Easterbrook as Callahan, Marion Ramsey as Hooks
- Crew : Greg Dillon as Sound Editor, Alonzo Brown as Stunts, Marty P. Ewing as First Assistant Director, Bud Davis as Stunts, Roy L. Downey as Special Effects
- Popularity 20.486
- Budget : 0
- Revenue : $19,510,371
- Company : Warner Bros. Pictures
- Summary : The Police Academy misfits travel to Miami Beach for Commandant Lassard to be honored with a prestigious lifetime award pending his retirement. Things take a turn when Lassard unknowingly ends up in possession of stolen diamonds from a jewel heist.
- Tagline : Hold everything! The cadets are dropping in on Miami Beach for an all new adventure.
