Police Academy 5: Assignment Miami Beach is the 1988 installment in the Police Academy series, launched in 1984. The film was given a PG rating for language and ribald humor.
Steve Guttenberg was unable to star in this film, due to scheduling conflicts with his current film Three Men and a Baby. Instead, the filmmakers decided to cast then-unknown actor Matt McCoy. He would later guest star as character Lloyd Braun in the hit TV show Seinfeld.
Plot
Captain Thaddeus Harris, played by G. W. Bailey, followed closely by Proctor, breaks into Commissioner Hurst's office, weaving through files until they pull up Commandant Lassard’s. Harris closely reads the file, looking for any minor detail so he can get the upper hand in his mission to take Lassard’s position within the academy. Harris soon finds out that Lassard should have retired at the end of the previous year, in accordance with the state’s mandatory retirement age. Harris makes sure this information is revealed, so Lassard retires and he becomes Commandant.
During the class of 1988 ceremony, it is revealed that Commandant Lassard is to receive a prestigious police award, as policeman of the decade at the National Police Chiefs Convention in Miami Beach, Florida. Shortly after, it is also revealed that sadly, Lassard must retire. Lassard retreats to his office, followed by worried officers. The officers inspire Lassard not to feel sorry for himself, and to go out proud. Lassard realizes that he must not feel this way, but instead, celebrate his award. Lassard invites all the officers to be present at the convention in Florida.
Upon learning that, in order to gain the position of Commandant, Harris will need to gain the respect of other officers he immediately gets Proctor to book both of them first-class tickets to Florida, to be present at the ceremony, in an attempt to gain the respect of others.
Proctor immediately gets on the phone and asks for the airport. However, he does not dial out and Sgt. Larvell Jones answers who, with his other officers, pretend to be the airline company. They book Harris and Proctor onto a cargo rental jet, "Budget Rent-A-Plane", whose only other passengers are zoo animals.
That night, men rob a museum, making off with numerous jewels. The next morning, the officers all meet at the airport, Lassards group get on their plane, and Harris and Proctor board their own, which turns out to be an animal transporter. The men who robbed the museum the night before also get on the same flight as Lassard and his men to Miami.
On arrival, the criminal carrying the bag of goods slips before the escalator, dropping the bag down the escalator. Lassard, in his usual fashion, unaware of his own surroundings, picks up the criminal's bag instead of his own, as they both look similar. The criminals unknowingly recover the wrong bag.
All the policemen check into the hotel and then head to the beach to take part in swimming and volleyball as well as meeting the locals. Meanwhile, the criminals go to drop off the goods. When their boss discovers that the jewels are missing, certain that a bag switch has taken place, they decide to go look for the old man (Lassard) who they suspect accidentally or not took the bag.
The criminals after searching for hours finally spot Lassard and trail him to his hotel, unaware that there is a police convention taking place. Lassard heads up to his room and finds the camera (the jewels are hidden within) in his bag. He thinks it is a gift and takes it around the grounds. One of the men breaks into his room and steals the bag, only to later realize that the camera, with the jewels are missing. All the men, tracking Lassard follow him into the police convention, finally realizing he is a policeman.
After failing to get the camera, following it breaking with the jewels all falling out in front of the entire convention, the men eventually have no choice but to kidnap Lassard right there and take him upstairs to formulate their escape. The whole time, Lassard is thinking the whole kidnapping is a demonstration put on by the Miami Police.
Although Lassard’s officers do not have jurisdiction in the city, they convince the Miami Police to let them aid them in the operation. Meanwhile the men tell their demands to the police, involving a helicopter and a boat.
Lassard’s officers go upstairs to storm the room, but Harris arranges for the helicopter to come earlier, so he can go by himself and rescue Lassard, thus making him the hero, and perhaps the Commandant.
Clumsy Proctor makes a mess of Harris’ plan and Harris ends up being taken hostage as well. Lassard’s men arrive too late as the helicopter leaves the hotels roof.
Lassard’s men are able to catch up to the criminals, where the arranged boat was stationed, a chase begins on Florida’s Everglades. Lassard saves himself, when he finally realizes that it is not a demonstration easily, he disarms the main criminal, with some of his officers surrounding the area.
A ceremony is held which honors the men, promotes Sgt. Hightower to Lieutenant (Harris was nearly killed by a gator, and Hightower battled it and saved Harris' life), and announces that a deal has been made that will ensure Lassard will be able to continue his duties until he decides to retire himself.
Cast
Returning cast
New cast
See also
External links
