Astoundingly awful
It pains me to have to write this...it really does. I have been a HUGE fan of Police Academy since I was a child. I LOVE 1-6, I think they're all great. Some are weaker than others, but overall a very enjoyable series, great characters, good direction, lots of laughs, excellent acting from regulars and new folks alike, and even some pretty clever dialogue for "stupid comedies". I'd never gotten around to watching this one though, until now. I just finished re-watching the series on DVD after not having watched them in many years, the last time having been on VHS tapes copied off of cable TV. People talk a lot of trash about the later ones, but in my opinion, 1-6 all hold up just fine. But this...I was literally AMAZED by how bad it was. My jaw dropped about 20 minutes in and did not raise again until the credits were rolling.
I think I maybe laughed ONCE at one of Tackleberry's lines, and I can't even remember it now, it was swept away in the tidal wave of "nonmedy" (trademark Red Letter Media) which is this film. It is almost COMPLETELY devoid of humor of any kind. Our main characters (the few who showed up that is) are under-used at best, utterly ineffectual at worst. The subplot with Lassard is ridiculous and stupid, and effectively removes him from any relevant proceedings of the film until the end. Harris is completely uncharacteristic from his portrayal in the rest of the series...since when is he a "surveillance expert"? Callahan goes back and forth between being undercover and NOT being undercover in ways that make it look like they must've actually jumbled up pages of the script. Jones barely uses his talents, and in the few scenes where he does it is completely pointless, seems awkward and forced, and is often largely indistinguishable from the inexplicably bad foley/ADR used throughout the film.
In fact, that is one of the things that truly sets this film apart as a new low. EVERY scene has REALLY awkwardly looped dialogue and sound effects, for NO reason as far as I can tell. For one of many examples, just listen to Harris' bizarre stuttering and blathering during the ridiculous ballet scene, and watch as his mouth moves for NONE of it. Just really, astoundingly bad all around.
Guest stars Christopher Lee, Ron Perlman and Claire Forlani made a commendable attempt with what they were given, but sadly that amounts to very little. Frankly I am shocked that Lee in particular read this script and still agreed to do it.
If somewhere there is an award for "Movie that Most Definitely Never Should Have Been Made, Ever", this one absolutely needs to win it. And that is a damn shame, that this series has to end with a film that can't be recommended to even the most die-hard fan such as myself. A damn shame indeed.