After the 4th Police Academy movie, they got stupid. Steve Guttenburg was in the first 4 movies which were good movies but the 5th, 6th and 7th ones weren't good without Steve, he is what made the Police Academy movies awesome. :)
I don't know if it was written that way but the character of Carey Mahoney was the heart and soul of the Police Academy movies. He was the unofficial leader of the cadets and police officers. If anyone had a concern, personal, or otherwise, they came to him. Even though he was a bit of a ladies' man, he was a great, great friend to all those around him.
He really cared about everyone. I have to rewatch 5-7 again without him but I've always enjoyed 1-4 because of him. He had lots of charm and charisma and where the others were a little over the top with their characters, his was very grounded in comparison.
Steve Guttenberg is what makes these movies enjoyable. I wish his career could have gone somewhere more after these movies but he really did make these movies enjoyable to those of us who watched it growing up:)
6. Police Academy 4 – Citizens On Patrol
It opens with possibly the most ’80s moment in the franchise (up against some very stiff competition): Michael Winslow and Steve Guttenberg dancing in their police car to “Citizens on Patrol” by Michael Winslow and the L.A. Dream Team, complete with Guttenberg saying “Hit it brother.” It’s all very, very Poochie and now I never want to listen to music again. Still, no Police Academy film starts well. All of them instill a slow burning dread in much the same way as the first guttural rumblings the morning after a chili binge.
There’s some skateboarding in this one just to distract you from the fact that this is the same plot again. Eventually they decide they’ve padded things out enough and so a big crime happens near the end, and all the characters Captain Harris doesn’t like end up saving the day.
Though I do like the bit where Tackleberry eats with his in-laws and looks appalled at what he sees. It’s like he suddenly knows how the audience must feel.
Nonetheless, it’s hard to know where this film peaks. Here’s the “Citizens On Patrol” rap while you ponder that…