Police Academy: Mission to Moscow

PLOT:

Russian mafia boss Konstantine Konali is laundering money under the guise of a legitimate business.

The business is a highly addictive video game that allows him to bring down almost any security system controlled by a computer on which the game has been played, with a string of major robberies as the result.

Desperate to nail Konali, Russian Commandant Alexandrei Nikolaivich Rakov sends for help from America. Rakov decides to bring in someone he met at a police convention—Commandant Eric Lassard (George Gaynes).

Lassard briefs his team about the mission in Russia, then they head to Moscow. Along with Lassard in Moscow are Sergeant Larvell Jones (Michael Winslow), Sergeant Eugene Tackleberry (David Graf), Captain Debbie Callahan (Leslie Easterbrook), Cadet Kyle Connors (Charlie Schlatter), and Captain Thaddeus Harris (G. W. Bailey).

As they plan to nail Konali, he has cooked up a new scheme—create an even more addictive form of the Game, a version that can bring down absolutely any computer security system in the world, including the systems that protect the databases that belong to world powers.

REVIEW:

You know, one wold think that with the last film in a franchise, they would bring back all the pieces that made it work in the first place. Instead, Police Academy: Mission to Moscow takes away Hightower and Hooks and then transports them all to Moscow. They already jumped the shark when Mahoney left and they moved everything to Miami, so this was more of the shark coming back to get them. A definite nail in the coffin of the franchise, that’s for sure.

Now, don’t get me wrong, this is nowhere near as bad as it’s predecessor Police Academy 6: City Under Seige. Whereas that film seemed more like the animated series, this one felt like they were actually trying and succeeded in parts, and in others…not so much.

The plot is actually not bad, if this was a serious cop flick, bt for the Police Academy movies, it seemed a bit to serious, especially considering how that Russian was still somewhat of a taboo subject at the time this was released.

Not to mention, the whole criminal plot about the Russian mafia and taking over the world with “the Game” was barely touched on, save for a mention here and there, but they never really went anywhere with it. Really a disappointment since they could have flown with it.

I do wonder though, why it is they choise to use Game Boys with no game in them as the apparent gaming device. Seems just like the studios being cheap or perhaps it could have been some random joke. That wold make sense and fit the m.o. for this franchise.

The returning cast does what they do best, though they all seem to just be going through the motions at this point. It is really quite sad to see them in this state.

On the flip side, we do get a nice villain in Ron Perlman. Not quite sure if I buy his Russian accent, but then he spoke a bit of Russian in Hellboy, if I recall.

Christopher Lee doesn’t have a huge role here. As a matter of fact, he is really nothing more than a cameo, but it is good to see him away from his usual villain role, and he does a pretty good job in this comedic turn as a guy who is, more or less, the Russian equivalent to Cmdt. Lassard.

Well, it appears that I have now completed the Police Academy movies. As a franchise, it is ok, but it degenerates over time. I suggest sticking to the first 2 or 3…maybe 4, but after that, you’re just wasting your time. As far as Police Academy: Mission to Moscow goes, well…as I sad before, it is better than its predecessor, but doesn’t live up to the original Police Academy. It just isn’t the worthy ending the franchise should have received. Although, the end credits scene was nice. I recommend this with trepidation. If you’re a fan of the franchise, then you’ll love it, but for the common viewer, you’re better tracking down one of the earlier films.

2 3/4 out of 5 stars

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