🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Alan Myerson
- Genre: Comedy, Crime
- Release year: 1988
- Runtime (length): 1h 30min
- IMDb rating: 4.6/10 (39K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 0%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
Old guy accidentally steals diamonds, leading to wacky hijinks and a Florida swamp chase, all because someone forgot to label their luggage.
🍿 Police Academy 5: Assignment: Miami Beach: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Lassard’s Retirement and Miami Trip
Captain Harris schemes to replace Commandant Lassard, who is nearing mandatory retirement. Meanwhile, Lassard is chosen as Police Officer of the Decade and takes his favorite graduates to Miami Beach for the National Police Chiefs Convention. Harris and Proctor also attend, hoping to impress Commissioner Hurst.

The Diamond Switch
At the Miami airport, Lassard mistakenly swaps his bag with a jewel thief named Tony, who has stolen diamonds. The thieves need to recover the diamonds quickly before their boss finds out. This sets off a series of comical attempts to retrieve the bag.

Miami Mayhem
The Police Academy gang enjoys Miami Beach, engaging in various hijinks. Harris attempts to woo the ladies, while Nick Lassard, Lassard’s nephew and a local Miami cop, develops a relationship with Officer Kate Stratton. Tony and his men try desperately to get the diamonds back, always failing in comedic fashion.

Kidnapping Chaos
In a desperate move, Tony kidnaps Lassard, who mistakenly believes it’s a police procedures demonstration. Lassard even offers the criminals helpful tips, further complicating their plans. Harris attempts a rescue but is captured himself, leading to a wild chase across the Everglades.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Lassard (George Gaynes): The clueless and aging Commandant, oblivious to his surroundings, is honored as Police Officer of the Decade while inadvertently causing chaos.
- Harris (G.W. Bailey): The scheming and power-hungry Captain attempts to undermine Lassard and take over his position as Commandant.
- Proctor (Lance Kinsey): Harris’s bumbling and inept assistant who often exacerbates situations with his incompetence.
- Hightower (Bubba Smith): A gentle giant and strong officer who is kind at heart, but can be very intimidating when provoked.
- Jones (Michael Winslow): The academy’s ‘man of 10,000 sounds’, Jones uses his vocal talents to create chaos and comedic situations.
- Tackleberry (David Graf): A gun-obsessed officer, Tackleberry is overly enthusiastic about weapons and law enforcement, often to comedic extremes.
- Tony (Rene Auberjonois): The leader of a trio of jewel thieves who inadvertently swaps luggage with Commandant Lassard at the airport.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Capt. Thaddeus Harris: “Some dickhead is standing in my sun!” – Harris angrily shouts this at Nick when he blocks his sunlight while trying to get a tan.
- Sgt. Nick Lassard: “Oh, Captain Harris! Hey, I didn’t see you there. You know, I don’t think we’ve been introduced. My name is Nick…” – Nick sarcastically introduces himself to Harris after being called a ‘dickhead’.
- Capt. Thaddeus Harris: “I don’t care who you are, buttwipe. Just get out of my sun!” – Harris continues his rude tirade against Nick, escalating the tension with insults.
- Capt. Thaddeus Harris: “Scram, sleazeball!” – Harris concludes his offensive rant, further highlighting his unpleasant personality.
- Comdt. Eric Lassard: “Thank you. You’ve been a wonderful kidnapper.” – Lassard says this earnestly to his kidnapper, thinking it’s part of a police demonstration.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $11,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $19,510,371
- Worldwide Gross: $19,510,371
💥 Police Academy 5: Assignment: Miami Beach Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, I’ll be honest, I had a soft spot for these movies growing up, but revisiting this one was rough. The absence of Mahoney is huge, and the jokes just aren’t as funny. The Miami setting tries to inject some new life, but it feels forced. The alligator scene was kinda cool I guess, but overall, it’s a hard watch. I think I’ll stick to the earlier films in the series.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of the Police Academy series.”
- “Viewers who enjoy slapstick comedy.”
- “Those looking for light-hearted, undemanding entertainment.”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Crude humor.”
- “Mild language.”
- “Some suggestive content.”
Professional Reviews
- IMDB: “While the change of scenery to Miami Beach initially seems promising, the humor falls flat and the absence of Steve Guttenberg is keenly felt. The recycled gags and predictable plot make this a forgettable entry in the series.
- Rotten Tomatoes: “Police Academy 5 lacks the charm and wit of its predecessors, relying on tired tropes and uninspired slapstick. Even the comedic talents of the returning cast can’t save this one from feeling like a lazy cash grab.
Audience Reactions
The airplane scene with Captain Harris and Proctor and the farm animals: While many find the movie weak, the hijinks involving Harris and Proctor still bring some chuckles.
I split my pant laughing: Some found the movie great
Overall Consensus: A generally disliked sequel that lacks the charm and humor of the earlier Police Academy films. The absence of key cast members and reliance on tired gags make it a disappointing entry in the series.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Steve Guttenberg declined to reprise his role as Mahoney, making this the first film in the series without him.”
- “This installment was filmed on location in Miami Beach, Florida, providing a change of scenery from the previous films which were mostly filmed in California and Toronto.”
- “Rene Auberjonois, known for his roles in ‘Benson’ and ‘Star Trek: Deep Space Nine’, plays the lead villain, bringing a touch of class to the comedic crime.”
- “During filming, the cast and crew enjoyed exploring Miami’s vibrant culture and nightlife, contributing to the film’s lighthearted atmosphere.”
- “The production team worked closely with local authorities to ensure the accuracy of the police convention scenes, adding a layer of authenticity to the comedic chaos.”
🖥️ How to Watch Police Academy 5: Assignment: Miami Beach?
Police Academy 5: Assignment: Miami Beach is available for purchase or rental on various digital platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for availability on cable and satellite services. Unfortunately it is not currently streaming on Netflix, Hulu, or HBO Max.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Police Academy 5: Assignment: Miami Beach, you might like these similar films:
- Police Academy (1984): The original film that started the franchise, offering similar slapstick humor and ensemble cast dynamics.
- Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988): Similar slapstick cop comedy released the same year, with Leslie Nielsen’s deadpan delivery enhancing the humor.
- Stripes (1981): Features a group of misfits joining the army, much like the Police Academy, and finding themselves in comedic situations.
- Hot Fuzz (2007): A modern British comedy with over-the-top action and humor, focusing on police officers in absurd situations.
🛒 Police Academy 5: Assignment: Miami Beach Related Products
- The Police Academy Collection (Blu-ray): Own the entire Police Academy series, including Police Academy 5, in high definition. Relive the hilarious moments and see your favorite characters in action.
- Funko Pop! Movies: Police Academy – Carey Mahoney: Add the iconic Carey Mahoney to your Funko Pop! collection. Although he’s not in Police Academy 5, he’s a symbol of the entire series and a great addition to any collection.
- Police Academy Movie Poster: Original theatrical poster. Decorate your walls with this poster, and display your love for the Police Academy movies.
- Police Academy T-Shirt: Police Academy themed T-Shirt.
🎧 Soundtrack
Police Academy 5: Assignment: Miami Beach features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
Matt McCoy plays Sergeant Nick Lassard, Commandant Lassard’s nephew. While the character is new, McCoy fills a similar role as a prankster and lead protagonist.
Reviews are mixed, with many considering it a weaker entry in the series. Some find it enjoyable for its slapstick humor and the performances of returning cast members like George Gaynes and G.W. Bailey, while others find it stale and uninspired.
Police Academy 5: Assignment: Miami Beach was primarily filmed in Miami Beach, Florida. Some of the locations used include the Fontainebleau Hilton Resort.
🔥 Bonus Content
Funniest Scene in Police Academy 5 – HD
Want a quick laugh? This user thinks they’ve found the absolute funniest scene in Police Academy 5, and honestly, it’s pretty great. Check it out and see if you agree!
Police Academy 5 Deleted Scene: The VIPs Arrive
Ever wonder what got left on the cutting room floor? This deleted scene gives you a little more Harris & Proctor mayhem in Miami. It’s short, but worth a watch for die-hard fans!
Tackleberry
Love Tackleberry? This video features him in action during the gun range scene. The uploader couldn’t find it anywhere else, so check it out before it disappears!
Is this the worst reviewed movie franchise ever?
Ever wonder how Police Academy stacks up critically? This video dives into the reviews and asks the tough question: is it the worst-reviewed franchise ever? It’s a fun, quick take that might surprise you.
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