Since Police Academy was popular when it was released, it wasn't surprising when Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment was released.

The sixteenth precinct has become the worst the city.  The chief of police gives Captain Pete Lassard thirty days to get things under control.  Pete needs some new recruits, so he calls his brother Eric at the police academy who recommends some recent graduates.  Mahoney, Hightower, Tackleberry, Jones, Fackler, and Hooks report for duty.  Lt. Mauser has hopes of becoming the captain, so he hopes that Pete and the new recruits fail.  Mauser is even willing to try to sabotage certain things so he gets what he wants.  While all that is going on, Tackleberry manages to find love with Kirkland, a female officer just as obsessed with guns as he is.

Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment is set sometime after the first movie.  It wasn't said specifically how much time had passed, but I don't think it was supposed to have been that long.  The recent graduates are working when they get the call to help Lassard's brother.  The plot for this movie really isn't connected to the plot of the first movie beyond having some of the characters return.  The can stand alone, though certain things tied to some characters will make more sense if Police Academy is seen first.

There isn't anything overly complicated about what is going on in Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment.  Crime in some areas of the city is out of control which has a precinct in trouble.  The captain is given a certain amount of time to turn things around or he'll lose his job.  The recent graduates are glad to help because the captain in question is Commandant Lassard's brother.  Evidently, they all got close to the Commandant while at the academy even though he didn't spend a lot of time with the recruits.  Things are slightly complicated by the fact that Lt. Mauser is doing everything he can to make Pete fail.  It is clear what is going on right from the start, so there aren't any surprises to what is going on.  That didn't keep the movie from being entertaining for me, though some people may feel differently.

Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment has the same type of humor that was used in the first movie.  Anyone who didn't like the humor in that movie probably won't like it in this movie either.  Slapstick type jokes provide much of the humor throughout the movie.  I think that type of humor works with what is going on.  Several things done for humor are silly, which could bother some viewers.  Some scenes also have some action and a bit of violence that isn't that graphic.  The movie is rated PG-13, so it isn't kid friendly even though some of the humor may appeal more to kids than adults.

Several characters from Police Academy return in Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment along with a few new characters.  Eric Lassard only turns up in a few scenes, so he has less to do.  His brother Pete has more to do and is more involved in what is happening since he is the captain in danger of losing his job.  Pete isn't as clueless as his brother, but he has his own issues to deal with.  Howard Hessman was fine in the part.  Mauser and Proctor are the two new characters who end up with the most to do.  Mauser is determined to do anything to become the captain.  Proctor is basically Mauser's flunky, running around to help him with his plans.  Mauser seems to be a replacement for Harris from the first movie.

Mahoney is a bit more professional in this movie, though he still has his unique sense of humor and still willing to pull pranks.  Steve Guttenberg is fine as Mahoney, which is probably one of the few parts he is known for.  There really isn't anything new added for most of the returning characters.  Tackleberry is the only one with any significant new developments thanks to his relationship with Kirkland, the female officer he's assigned to work with.  She loves guns and weapons as much as he does.  Her whole family is so different they even shock Tackleberry.

Zed is the gang leader responsible for most of the crime in the area.  He's rather wild and tends to scare most people when he turns up.  Frankly, I think the character is rather annoying because of his grating voice.  It is rather unique and screechy and tends to grate on my nerves.  That is the only way I've ever heard Bob Goldthwait talk.  I never have understood how he ever got famous.

Main Cast

Colleen Camp - Kirkland
George Gaynes - Commandant Eric Lassard
Bob Goldthwait - Zed
David Graf - Tackleberry
Steve Guttenberg - Mahoney
Howard Hessman - Pete Lassard
Bruce Kinsey - Proctor
Bruce Mahler - Fackler
Art Metrano - Lt. Mauser
Marion Ramsey - Hooks
Bubba Smith - Hightower
Michael Winslow - Jones

Jerry Paris - Director

DVD Information

Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment is available in a few different versions on DVD.  I have the version that came with Police Academy 3: Back in Training as part of a set.  I know the movie is also available alone.  I don't know what type of extras that version has.  My copy has the widescreen version of the movie, the theatrical trailer, and a short featurette about the Police Academy movies in general.  That included some of the cast members talking about the movies and their characters.  

Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment is a mildly entertaining movie.  The humor is rather silly so the movie won't appeal to everyone.  People that enjoyed the first movie may also like this one.

Police Academy ~ Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment ~ Police Academy 3: Back in Training ~ Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol ~ Police Academy 5: Assignment: Miami Beach ~ Police Academy 6: City Under Siege ~

Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: DVD