Police Academy (2025) is a raucous revival of the beloved comedy franchise, bringing back the slapstick, misfit charm, and outrageous hijinks that made the original films 80s staples—while giving the story a modern twist for a new generation of recruits.
The film kicks off when the city, desperate to fill the ranks of its understaffed police force, reopens the “anyone-can-apply” recruitment program that launched the chaos of the first Police Academy. This time, the academy becomes a melting pot of Gen Z hopefuls, washed-up midlifers looking for a second chance, and oddballs who have no business near a badge. Their diverse but clueless group stumbles through training under the watchful eye of the academy’s new leadership… who are none other than older, grumpier versions of the original graduates.
Steve Guttenberg returns as Carey Mahoney, now a retired officer reluctantly brought back as a consultant. Michael Winslow reprises his iconic role as Larvell Jones, still dazzling (and annoying) everyone with his sound effects, now teaching a “modern tech and tactics” course that’s just an excuse for more antics. Hightower, Tackleberry, and other classic characters are honored with cameos or tributes, while the new cast of recruits provides fresh comedic energy.
Training montages deliver classic gags with a modern edge: drones gone rogue, taser mishaps, police apps that no one can figure out, and fitness drills that devolve into chaos. Rivalries within the academy echo the old Copeland and Blanks dynamic, while unexpected heroes emerge from the most unlikely recruits.
The central plot revolves around the recruits’ first big test: an over-the-top citywide festival threatened by a bumbling criminal gang. Forced into action before they’re ready, the recruits must prove themselves in the field—leading to a climactic sequence full of slapstick car chases, pratfalls, mistaken identities, and, of course, a massive food fight gone wrong.
In the end, the recruits earn respect not by being perfect officers, but by proving that heart, teamwork, and sheer dumb luck can get the job done.
Police Academy (2025) is both a throwback and a reboot, packed with cameos, nostalgia, and physical comedy, but with just enough modern satire to feel fresh. It’s a laugh-out-loud reminder that while times change, policing—at least in the Police Academy universe—will always be a hilarious disaster.
