Police Academy: Mission to Moscow
Directed by Alan Metter
- comedy
- crime
The story
The Russians seek help in dealing with the Mafia from the veterans of the Police Academy. They head off to Moscow, in order to find evidence against Konstantin Konali, who marketed a computer game that everyone in the world is playing.
What it’s like
Bright, flat studio lighting and broad, primary-colour sets give this one the look of a 1990s direct-to-broadcast comedy: bustling Moscow streets rendered in cheerful, slightly overexposed daylight, with hotel rooms, offices and bazaars framed in plain medium shots that leave plenty of room for physical gags. The sound is busy and rubbery, dominated by slapstick sound effects, Michael Winslow's vocal imitations and a bouncy synth-and-brass score that never lets up. The vibe is loud, silly and warm-hearted, with a bit of breezy crime-caper spirit: the kind of thing for a lazy weekend afternoon, a comfort rewatch, or something to have on in the background while doing chores. Pacing is quick and episodic, built on set-piece pratfalls and running jokes, and the tone stays resolutely light, with no real dread or menace beyond cartoonish villainy. The ensemble's loyalty to one another is the emotional core, with the familiar cast reuniting for another round of good-natured mischief. Violence is mild and cartoonish, with slapstick tussles and gunfire that causes no real harm, and there is no gore, no sexual content and nothing frightening. It suits viewers who want undemanding, goofy, gentle comedy and a nostalgic return to a familiar gang of misfits.
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