Up the Academy sets out to offend almost everybody, including women, blacks, homosexuals, Arabs, the military, and so on, but they've all been more efficiently offended by other, better movies.
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The Globe and Mail (Toronto)Jay Scott
The Globe and Mail (Toronto)Jay Scott
Up the Academy, directed by Robert Downey, combines Little Darlings, Meatballs and Animal House into a crude concoction that holds out the promise of approximating Mad Magazine's cheerful, sophomoric vulgarity. [09 June 1980]
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Washington PostGary Arnold
Washington PostGary Arnold
Downey's direction is so flat that about 20 rock songs have been inserted to cover the dithering continuity with a semblance of rhythm. Like the flatulent and shattering noises, the score functions a distracting sound effect, camouflaging tattered swatches of "comedy." [10 June 1980, p.B2]
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TV Guide Magazine
TV Guide Magazine
Up The Academy is another in the seemingly endless parade of inane teenage comedies.