New rules enforced by the Lady Mayoress mean that sex, weight, height and intelligence need no longer be a factor for joining the Police Force. This opens the floodgates for all and sundry to enter the Police Academy, much to the chagrin of the instructors. Not everyone is there through choice, though. Social misfit Mahoney has been forced to sign up as the only alternative to a jail sentence and it doesn't take long before he falls foul of the boorish Lieutenant Harris. But before long, Mahoney realises that he is enjoying being a police cadet and decides he wants to stay... while Harris decides he wants Mahoney out!
New rules enforced by the Lady Mayoress mean that sex, weight, height and intelligence need no longer be a factor for joining the Police Force. This opens the floodgates for all and sundry to enter the Police Academy, much to the chagrin of the instructors. Not everyone is there through choice, though. Social misfit Mahoney has been forced to sign up as the only alternative to a jail sentence and it doesn't take long before he falls foul of the boorish Lieutenant Harris. But before long, Mahoney realises that he is enjoying being a police cadet and decides he wants to stay... while Harris decides he wants Mahoney out!
The film uses a politically charged premise—the tension between institutional standards and a new, inclusive policy—primarily for comedic effect, satirizing both the rigidity of the establishment and the chaotic consequences of poorly conceived policies, leading to a neutral rating.
Police Academy showcases a visibly diverse ensemble cast, introducing a variety of characters from different backgrounds within its comedic framework. The film's narrative, however, does not explicitly critique traditional identities or center on specific DEI themes, focusing instead on the humorous experiences of the police academy recruits.
Police Academy utilizes LGBTQ+ stereotypes for comedic effect. Gags involving the 'Blue Oyster Bar' and character impersonations rely on homophobic tropes, portraying gay men as a source of discomfort or ridicule for straight characters. The film's uncritical endorsement of these harmful stereotypes results in a negative net impact.
The movie does not contain any action or adventure elements.
Police Academy (1984) is the inaugural film in its series, introducing all its characters for the first time. As such, there are no pre-existing legacy characters or source material figures whose gender could have been swapped.
Police Academy (1984) is the inaugural film in the series, introducing all its characters for the first time. There is no prior source material or previous installment from which characters' races could have been established and subsequently changed.
Combines user and critic ratings from four sources