Alright, fellow tapeheads, gather 'round the glow of the phantom CRT. Remember that feeling? Scanning the 'New Releases' wall at Blockbuster, maybe Video Ezy for our international friends, and seeing that familiar blue font? Police Academy 6: City Under Siege. You knew exactly what you were getting into, didn't you? Maybe the excitement wasn't quite the fever pitch of the original, but there was a comforting predictability, a guarantee of goofy antics and familiar faces that felt perfect for a Friday night pizza-and-VHS session. And let's be honest, sometimes that's exactly what the soul needed.
### Same Precinct, New (Sort Of) Problem
Released in 1989, City Under Siege finds our beloved band of misfit officers facing... well, a city under siege. A mysterious crime wave orchestrated by the shadowy "Wilson Heights Gang" and their elusive "Mastermind" is paralyzing the metropolis. Cue Captain Harris (G.W. Bailey, perfecting his slow burn) having yet another aneurysm while Commandant Lassard (George Gaynes, delightfully oblivious as ever) floats through the chaos. It’s a plot framework sturdy enough to hang the usual collection of character-driven gags and slapstick set pieces on, even if it feels thinner than Mahoney’s list of rule infractions by this point.
Stepping into the lead role vacated by Steve Guttenberg a couple of films prior is Matt McCoy as Sergeant Nick Lassard, the Commandant's nephew. McCoy brings a smoother, slightly less anarchic energy than Guttenberg, playing the competent (well, relatively competent) straight man trying to wrangle the chaos and solve the central mystery. He fits reasonably well, though it's hard not to feel like the franchise was still searching for that central comedic spark Guttenberg provided.
### The Usual Suspects Deliver the Goods (Mostly)
But let's face it, we weren't just renting Police Academy 6 for the intricate plotting. We were there for the gang. And they are all here. Bubba Smith as Hightower gets his moments of gentle giant strength, often paired hilariously with Tackleberry's (David Graf, forever missed) weapon-obsessed intensity. Remember how genuinely loud Tackleberry's gun choices always seemed, even through fuzzy TV speakers? Then there’s the human sound effects machine, Michael Winslow as Jones. His vocal gymnastics were still a marvel, even if the setups felt a tad more contrived by the sixth outing. I distinctly recall rewinding his scenes just to try and figure out how he made those noises. Marion Ramsey (Hooks), Leslie Easterbrook (Callahan), and Lance Kinsey (Proctor) all dutifully reprise their roles, ensuring that comforting blanket of familiarity wraps around you.
Interestingly, this installment was directed by Peter Bonerz, a name many might recognize more from his extensive and acclaimed TV directing career, including helming numerous episodes of The Bob Newhart Show and Murphy Brown. His touch here feels efficient, professional, but perhaps lacks the scrappier, slightly edgier comedic timing of Hugh Wilson's original or even Jerry Paris's sequels. The film feels very much like a late 80s sitcom expanded to feature length, which isn't necessarily a bad thing if you're in the mood for light, predictable chuckles.
### Action? More Like Comedic Calamity
The "action" in Police Academy 6 is pure 80s practical silliness. Forget sleek CGI – we're talking about real cars doing slightly clumsy skids, stunt performers taking deliberately awkward falls, and the occasional, very contained explosion. There's a certain charm to it, a tangible quality that modern, overly polished action often lacks. Remember that sequence involving a cherry picker and a high-rise window washer? It’s pure slapstick, relying on physical comedy and timing rather than digital trickery. It might look dated now, but back then, watching those physical gags unfold felt like part of the fun. The climactic chase sequence through the city sewers has that classic late-80s B-movie feel – dimly lit, slightly damp, and punctuated by predictable obstacles and near-misses.
Filmed primarily around Los Angeles, the movie captures that generic "any city, USA" vibe common to films of the era. While specific budget numbers are tricky to pin down for these later sequels, it was undoubtedly produced economically, relying on brand recognition rather than expensive spectacle. It’s a testament to the power of the franchise name that even this sixth entry likely turned a tidy profit, especially once it hit the lucrative home video market. Critics at the time? Let’s just say they weren't kind (a whopping 0% on Rotten Tomatoes tells its own story), but audience familiarity likely kept the VHS tapes flying off shelves for a good while.
### Retro Fun Fact Break!
Did you know that the writers credited, Stephen J. Curwick, Neal Israel, and Pat Proft, were all veterans of the comedy scene? Israel and Proft, in particular, were involved with the Police Academy franchise from the beginning, as well as other 80s comedy staples like Real Genius (Israel) and Bachelor Party (Proft & Israel co-wrote). Their pedigree guaranteed a certain baseline level of gag-writing, even if the inspiration felt a bit diluted by installment number six.
### The Final Rewind
Police Academy 6: City Under Siege isn't high art, nor is it peak Police Academy. It’s the movie equivalent of comfort food – familiar, predictable, and mildly satisfying if you’re in the right mood. It delivers the expected character beats and low-brow gags with workmanlike efficiency. The addition of Matt McCoy doesn't quite reignite the franchise, but the reliable presence of the beloved ensemble cast provides enough nostalgic warmth to carry it through. It lacks the anarchic spark of the original and the slightly sharper wit of the first few sequels, feeling very much like a franchise running on fumes, albeit good-natured ones.
Rating: 4/10 - This score reflects its status as a tired, formulaic sequel with diminished laughs. However, the familiar faces and sheer nostalgic comfort factor prevent it from bottoming out completely. It delivers exactly what you'd expect from the sixth entry in an 80s comedy franchise, for better or worse.
Final Thought: It might be the cinematic equivalent of a worn-out rental tape with tracking issues, but for a brief, brain-off trip back to the era of slapstick cops and practical gags, City Under Siege offers a flicker of that old VHS magic, even if the picture is definitely fuzzy.