Up the Academy
Aten-hut, dudes. Fall in with the cadets of Sheldon R. Weinberg Military Academy, where the new arrivals have decided that anything goes. So the first things to go are the rules. In the tradition of Stripes and Police Academy, Up the Academy deploys film-debuting Ralph Macchio and company in a series of raunchy, madcap maneuvers. Barbara Bach as a fully-armed armaments expert, Tom Poston as an instructor whose favorite subject is bedcheck and Antonio Fargas as a sadistic soccer coach provide choice comic moments under the direction of Robert Downey (Putney Swope, Greaser's Palace). The soundtrack rocks with Cheap Trick, Sammy Hagar, Pat Benatar, David Johansen, Lou Reed and more.
Member Reviews
Oddly Better Than I Remembered - HouseOfGlib
While one would probably be mistaken to label Robert Downey Sr. brief foray into the mainstream a success, I have to admit that I did something I hadn't expected to do when I decided to revisit this 80s teen comedy--I laughed out loud several times. Apparently Ron Liebman was so disappointed by the film he demanded his name be removed from the credits, but there are several moments in the film where his portrayal of Major Vaughn Liceman borders on the inspired. Add to that what may be the greatest soundtrack of late 70s/early 80s rock classics the genre has ever known (the unforgettable string section of Lou Reed's "Street Hassle" is actually used as a recurring theme) and some jokes so tasteless they almost border on the profound and you have an experience unlike any offered by similarly sophomoric films from that period.
Member Reviews
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Oddly Better Than I Remembered - HouseOfGlib
While one would probably be mistaken to label Robert Downey Sr. brief foray into the mainstream a success, I have to admit that I did something I hadn't expected to do when I decided to revisit this 80s teen comedy--I laughed out loud several times. Apparently ...