A stale "misfits-in-the-army" saga, which half-heartedly attempts to be both surreal (the foreign subtitles) AND vulgar (the flatulence gags), but just ends up being a mix of many different kinds of humor, none of them followed very successfully. Barbara Bach, the Bond Girl from "The Spy Who Loved Me", has only two or three brief scenes. What a waste! (*1/2)
27 Reviews
Not Very Good, But it Does Move Fast and Delivers a Few Laughs
jayraskin16 September 2010
This is an early "gross-out" movie, where most of the comedy comes from kids going through puberty. It is kind of a teenager soft-core porno spoof without sex or nudity. It is a bit offensive and a bit gratuitous, but not that much to be upset or satisfied with it.
I liked the irrelevance of it. It doesn't bother to attack the idea of a military academy, but just treats it as an absurdity from the beginning. I like the fact that it doesn't have any kind of sentimental development where the kids learn to appreciate their school at the end.
Unfortunately, the plot is pretty mindless with four diverse students defending themselves against a rather bullying and vicious militaristic instructor (Ron Leibman). The best moments are just absurd, fast gags that are justpointless and silly. For example, Barbara Bach wears a loose fitting shirt that almost shows her nipples as she instructs students in handling military weapons. We never learn why she would want to turn on her male students in this way, but we do see the students panting and there is the suggestion that they are masturbating. Obviously, this is a male fantasy with little possibility of ever happening in reality.
I think it is sad that the film was so poorly received that it effectively ended Robert Downey Senior's feature film-making career. He does direct with a carefree, fun style and makes the best out of a mediocre script. A film he did about a dozen years after this, "Hugo Pool" is much better and worth seeing.
I liked the irrelevance of it. It doesn't bother to attack the idea of a military academy, but just treats it as an absurdity from the beginning. I like the fact that it doesn't have any kind of sentimental development where the kids learn to appreciate their school at the end.
Unfortunately, the plot is pretty mindless with four diverse students defending themselves against a rather bullying and vicious militaristic instructor (Ron Leibman). The best moments are just absurd, fast gags that are justpointless and silly. For example, Barbara Bach wears a loose fitting shirt that almost shows her nipples as she instructs students in handling military weapons. We never learn why she would want to turn on her male students in this way, but we do see the students panting and there is the suggestion that they are masturbating. Obviously, this is a male fantasy with little possibility of ever happening in reality.
I think it is sad that the film was so poorly received that it effectively ended Robert Downey Senior's feature film-making career. He does direct with a carefree, fun style and makes the best out of a mediocre script. A film he did about a dozen years after this, "Hugo Pool" is much better and worth seeing.
Their only movie
ericstevenson7 June 2018
When you have a comedy franchise as massive as Mad magazine, it seems that surely there must be some movie they could get out of it. This is that movie and it ended up being the only movie that ever had the Mad name on it. Actually, it doesn't even count as that. The creators of Mad magazine did in fact have their names removed from this film and have disowned it. I remember reading about this on Cracked.com where it said one of the movie's main jokes is that there's a pedophile. They honestly must not have seen the whole thing as that's barely in the film at all.
The creators admitted that it was influenced by "National Lampoon's Animal House", another movie based on a comedy magazine. At least their magazine didn't last as long. The movie mostly suffers from having really unlikeable characters and dumb jokes. The general guy farted twice and didn't even do it a third time! I've still seen far worse movies and I wish the creators of those ones would disown them too. I just saw no satire or parody factor in this at all. *1/2
The creators admitted that it was influenced by "National Lampoon's Animal House", another movie based on a comedy magazine. At least their magazine didn't last as long. The movie mostly suffers from having really unlikeable characters and dumb jokes. The general guy farted twice and didn't even do it a third time! I've still seen far worse movies and I wish the creators of those ones would disown them too. I just saw no satire or parody factor in this at all. *1/2
Waaaay ahead of its time
curtis-828 January 2003
I saw "Mad Magazine's Up the Academy" when it was first released in 1980. Just after I saw it, I read that the editors and publisher of Mad Magazine disowned the flick. In fact, I understand that the scenes of the guy in the Alfred E. Newman outfit have been cut from the movie. Also I read that supporting player Ron Leibman was so disgusted with the movie he had his credit removed. This movie had high school kids masturbating in the classroom, references to "hot beef injection" and many, many, MANY other scatological and sexually perverse goings on. Its nonsensical filth disgusted everyone who saw it in 1980.
In other words, "Up the Academy" was a visionary creation, 20 years ahead it's time.
Of course, this certainly doesn't mean it was any good.
In other words, "Up the Academy" was a visionary creation, 20 years ahead it's time.
Of course, this certainly doesn't mean it was any good.
SO bad even twelve-year-olds hated it....
benjamin_s_henderson5 March 2006
The only thing I remember about this movie are two things: first, as a twelve year old, even I thought it stunk. Second, it was so bad that when Mad magazine did a parody of it, they quit after the first page, and wrote a disclaimer at the bottom of the page saying that they had completely disavowed it.
If you want to see great sophomoric comedies of this period, try Animal House. It's so stupid and vulgar it lowers itself to high art. Another good selection would be Caddyshack, the classic with the late Rodney Dangerfield and Bill Murray before he became annoyingly charming, with great lines like greens keeper Carl Spackler's "Correct me if I'm wrong Sandy, but if I kill all the golfers they'll lock me up and throw away the key."
If you want to see great sophomoric comedies of this period, try Animal House. It's so stupid and vulgar it lowers itself to high art. Another good selection would be Caddyshack, the classic with the late Rodney Dangerfield and Bill Murray before he became annoyingly charming, with great lines like greens keeper Carl Spackler's "Correct me if I'm wrong Sandy, but if I kill all the golfers they'll lock me up and throw away the key."
"It's like a gas leak"
MattyBAnderson10 July 2007
That's what my friend Brian said about this movie after about an hour of it. He wasn't able to keep from dozing off. I had been ranting about how execrable it was and finally I relented and played it, having run out of adjectives for "boring".
Imagine if you will, the pinnacle of hack-work. Something so uninspired, so impossibly dreadful, that all you want to do after viewing it is sit alone in the dark and not speak to anybody. Some people labor under the illusion that this movie is watchable. It is not, not under any form of narcotic or brain damage. I would ONLY recommend this to someone in order to help them understand how truly unbearable it is. Don't believe me? Gather 'round.
Granted, as a nation, we in America don't always portray Middle Eastern peoples in a tasteful manner. But how about a kid in a sheik outfit bowing in salaam-fashion to a stack of Castrol motor oil bottles? You'll find that here. GET IT? THE ARAB WORSHIPS OIL. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. Having the kid fly planes into a skyscraper would've been more appropriate. Who in their right mind would think that was a funny joke? It's not even close to "cleverly offensive". It just sucks and makes you want to punch whomever got paid to write that bit in the face.
In the middle of the film, a five-man singing group called the "Landmines" takes the stage at an officers' ball. Okay- are you ready? The joke is THEY SING TERRIBLY AND OFF-KEY. Why did I write that in caps also? Because the joke is POUND, POUND, POUNDED INTO YOUR HEAD with a marathon of HORRENDOUS sight gags. They start off mediocre enough; glasses cracking, punch tumblers shattering... then there is, I am 100% serious, a two-frame stop-motion sequence of A WOMAN'S SHOES COMING OFF. You read that correctly- the music was so bad, in one frame, the woman's feet have shoes on. In the very next- the shoes are off!!! Get it, because the music was so bad, her shoes came off! What the F????
Then there is an endless montage of stock footage to drive home the point that the SINGING IS BAD. If any human being actually suffered through this scene in the theater without running like hell, I would be astonished. This movie is honestly like a practical joke to see how fast people would bolt out the doors. Robert Downey Sr. directs comedy the way his son commands respect by staying drug-free. Badly. Other things to watch out for:
1. The popular music shoehorned in wherever possible. Every time Liceman appears, a really inappropriate Iggy Pop song plays. Plus all the actors do their best to act like it got really chilly for some reason.
2. Barbara Bach's criminally awful accent. She sounds like she's trying to talk like a baby while rolling a marble around on her tongue. There is no nudity, and there are several scenes where the boys all moan and writhe from a glimpse of her cleavage, like they're in a community school acting class and they've been directed to act like aroused retarded people.
3. Liceman feeds his revolting dog a condom. Remember; when this movie came out throwing in "abortion" and "condom" was seen as "edgy".
4. Tom Poston plays a mincing, boy-hungry pedophile, back when Hollywood thought "pedophile" and "homosexual" were one in the same. Flat-out embarrassing.
5. Watch the ending. Nothing is wrong with your VCR. That is actually the ending. Tell me that doesn't make you want to explode everyone who's ever made any movie, ever.
Watch this at your own risk. Up The Academy has been known to actually make other movies, like The Jerk or Blazing Saddles, less funny simply by placing the videotape near them.
Imagine if you will, the pinnacle of hack-work. Something so uninspired, so impossibly dreadful, that all you want to do after viewing it is sit alone in the dark and not speak to anybody. Some people labor under the illusion that this movie is watchable. It is not, not under any form of narcotic or brain damage. I would ONLY recommend this to someone in order to help them understand how truly unbearable it is. Don't believe me? Gather 'round.
Granted, as a nation, we in America don't always portray Middle Eastern peoples in a tasteful manner. But how about a kid in a sheik outfit bowing in salaam-fashion to a stack of Castrol motor oil bottles? You'll find that here. GET IT? THE ARAB WORSHIPS OIL. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. Having the kid fly planes into a skyscraper would've been more appropriate. Who in their right mind would think that was a funny joke? It's not even close to "cleverly offensive". It just sucks and makes you want to punch whomever got paid to write that bit in the face.
In the middle of the film, a five-man singing group called the "Landmines" takes the stage at an officers' ball. Okay- are you ready? The joke is THEY SING TERRIBLY AND OFF-KEY. Why did I write that in caps also? Because the joke is POUND, POUND, POUNDED INTO YOUR HEAD with a marathon of HORRENDOUS sight gags. They start off mediocre enough; glasses cracking, punch tumblers shattering... then there is, I am 100% serious, a two-frame stop-motion sequence of A WOMAN'S SHOES COMING OFF. You read that correctly- the music was so bad, in one frame, the woman's feet have shoes on. In the very next- the shoes are off!!! Get it, because the music was so bad, her shoes came off! What the F????
Then there is an endless montage of stock footage to drive home the point that the SINGING IS BAD. If any human being actually suffered through this scene in the theater without running like hell, I would be astonished. This movie is honestly like a practical joke to see how fast people would bolt out the doors. Robert Downey Sr. directs comedy the way his son commands respect by staying drug-free. Badly. Other things to watch out for:
1. The popular music shoehorned in wherever possible. Every time Liceman appears, a really inappropriate Iggy Pop song plays. Plus all the actors do their best to act like it got really chilly for some reason.
2. Barbara Bach's criminally awful accent. She sounds like she's trying to talk like a baby while rolling a marble around on her tongue. There is no nudity, and there are several scenes where the boys all moan and writhe from a glimpse of her cleavage, like they're in a community school acting class and they've been directed to act like aroused retarded people.
3. Liceman feeds his revolting dog a condom. Remember; when this movie came out throwing in "abortion" and "condom" was seen as "edgy".
4. Tom Poston plays a mincing, boy-hungry pedophile, back when Hollywood thought "pedophile" and "homosexual" were one in the same. Flat-out embarrassing.
5. Watch the ending. Nothing is wrong with your VCR. That is actually the ending. Tell me that doesn't make you want to explode everyone who's ever made any movie, ever.
Watch this at your own risk. Up The Academy has been known to actually make other movies, like The Jerk or Blazing Saddles, less funny simply by placing the videotape near them.
What? Three stars?
aeowen-0339810 April 2019
Okay, go back almost 40 years and I would say this was hilarious, but we all mature into adulthood, and this movie sunk into the abyss yet not totally wrecked.
We meet The Karate Kid (Ralph Macchio) for the first time here, but the rest of the cast...except Ron Leibman, Stacey Nelkin, Tom Poston, and Ian Wolfe...have all vanished from existence, or Planet Hollywood. So that must have been the reason why the movie is so unfunny today. Teenage sexual angst just doesn't turn me on, slightly worth a ha! anymore. Now I know too why Leibman excised his name from the credits...he "stood out like a turd in a punchbowl"! - do you blame him?.
Again, rack this as one of the funny ones that went unfunny over age and time.
We meet The Karate Kid (Ralph Macchio) for the first time here, but the rest of the cast...except Ron Leibman, Stacey Nelkin, Tom Poston, and Ian Wolfe...have all vanished from existence, or Planet Hollywood. So that must have been the reason why the movie is so unfunny today. Teenage sexual angst just doesn't turn me on, slightly worth a ha! anymore. Now I know too why Leibman excised his name from the credits...he "stood out like a turd in a punchbowl"! - do you blame him?.
Again, rack this as one of the funny ones that went unfunny over age and time.
It really doesn't hold up.
Java_Joe11 July 2019
I remember seeing the ads for this on TV and thinking it looked hilarious but unfortunately I couldn't see it due to the fact I was too young. So like a lot of movies that were denied me at a young age, I made it my mission to see it later on in life. Some of those movies, like, "The Life of Brian" and "Videodrome" were worth waiting for. Unfortunately others, like this one, weren't. And you know it's bad when Mad Magazine, the people that made it, put a large disclaimer in their magazine that they disavowed it. It was so poorly received that I don't think it ever got a proper release to home video and when movies like "Queen Kong" got a proper release, you know this one was destined for the junk pile of history.
There's an.... art to making sophomoric movies and it doesn't involve just putting a whole bunch of stereotypes into a blender and hoping what comes out is good. Take a look at "Animal House" which is an apt comparison as that's what they were going for. It's considered a classic in part to the actors that took part in it but also the direction, the script and the fact that they didn't try to do too much with it. This movie however just seems to want to throw everything they can at the screen and hope that something works.
Four boys are sent to a military academy all for different reasons and shenanigans ensue. There's the barber that just so happens to be blind giving bad haircuts. There's one of the officers that happens to be gay and like young boys. There's the sexy female instructor that teaches them about armaments in very sexual terms. In other words they tried really hard to be "Animal House" but didn't get hat made that movie the success it was.
In short this is a bad movie made to cash in on a more successful movie but without knowing how to do it in the first place.
There's an.... art to making sophomoric movies and it doesn't involve just putting a whole bunch of stereotypes into a blender and hoping what comes out is good. Take a look at "Animal House" which is an apt comparison as that's what they were going for. It's considered a classic in part to the actors that took part in it but also the direction, the script and the fact that they didn't try to do too much with it. This movie however just seems to want to throw everything they can at the screen and hope that something works.
Four boys are sent to a military academy all for different reasons and shenanigans ensue. There's the barber that just so happens to be blind giving bad haircuts. There's one of the officers that happens to be gay and like young boys. There's the sexy female instructor that teaches them about armaments in very sexual terms. In other words they tried really hard to be "Animal House" but didn't get hat made that movie the success it was.
In short this is a bad movie made to cash in on a more successful movie but without knowing how to do it in the first place.
Don't waste your money buying it!
brian-hov5 May 2007
I used to LOVE this movie as a kid but, seeing it again 20+ years later, it actually sucks. Up The Academy might have been ahead of it's time back in 1980, but it has almost nothing to offer today! Movies like Caddyshack and Stripes hold-up much better today than this steaming dogpile. No T&A. No great jokes except for the one-liners we've all heard a million times by now.
I recently bought the DVD in hopes that it would be the gem I remembered it being. Well, I was WAY off! The soundtrack had only 2-3 widely-recognizable hits (not the smash compilation others had mentioned) and the frequent voice-overs were terrible. The only thing that was interesting, to me, was predicting what the character's lines were before they said them. Yep, I watched this movie that much back then!
The only reason I am writing this review is to give my two cents on why this movie should be forgotten, sorry to say. :(
I recently bought the DVD in hopes that it would be the gem I remembered it being. Well, I was WAY off! The soundtrack had only 2-3 widely-recognizable hits (not the smash compilation others had mentioned) and the frequent voice-overs were terrible. The only thing that was interesting, to me, was predicting what the character's lines were before they said them. Yep, I watched this movie that much back then!
The only reason I am writing this review is to give my two cents on why this movie should be forgotten, sorry to say. :(
classic 80's trash
Judexdot116 February 2006
back in my high school days in Salina Kansas, they filmed something called "The Brave Young Men Of Weinberg" locally, and the film crews were rather prominent for weeks. eventually, we learned that the film was "Up The Academy", and was a bit ummm, "lower brow" than we had been led to believe.
I had to see it, since I was there, and the local audiences seemed less than pleased at the showing. I was 17, and thought it was a rather artless attempt at a post "Animal house" type of comedy, right down to the fart jokes.
Watched it many times since, and my opinion has mellowed a bit. it's dumb, but at times it catches a bit of the "mad" magazine humor, at least as well as most "Mad TV". Ron Liebman might hate it, but he is nearly perfect, and unforgettable. For me, my favorite moment would have been a brief scene on Santa Fe avenue, where I had parked my car, while I was buying some guitar strings. Too bad my Pinto's brief appearance, usually seems to get cut for TV. haven't seen the new DVD, but if my old pinto is visible, they've got a sale.
I had to see it, since I was there, and the local audiences seemed less than pleased at the showing. I was 17, and thought it was a rather artless attempt at a post "Animal house" type of comedy, right down to the fart jokes.
Watched it many times since, and my opinion has mellowed a bit. it's dumb, but at times it catches a bit of the "mad" magazine humor, at least as well as most "Mad TV". Ron Liebman might hate it, but he is nearly perfect, and unforgettable. For me, my favorite moment would have been a brief scene on Santa Fe avenue, where I had parked my car, while I was buying some guitar strings. Too bad my Pinto's brief appearance, usually seems to get cut for TV. haven't seen the new DVD, but if my old pinto is visible, they've got a sale.
Ron Leibman took his name off...need I say more
papamac63030 January 2007
Mad Magazine may have a lot of crazy people working for it...but obviously someone there had some common sense when the powers-that-be disowned this waste of celluloid...the editing is el crapo, the plot is incredibly thin and stupid...and the only reason it gets a two out of ten is that Stacy Nelkin takes off some of her clothes and we get a nice chest shot...I never thought I would feel sorry for Ralph Macchio making the decision to be in this thing, but I do...and I REALLY feel bad for Ron Leibman and Tom Poston, gifted actors who never should have shown up in this piece of...film...at least Mr. Leibman had the cajones to refuse to have his name put anywhere on the movie...and he comes out ahead...there are actually copies of this thing with Mad's beginning sequence still on it...if you can locate one, grab it cuz it is probably worth something...it's the only thing about this movie that's worth anything...and a note to the folks at IMDb.com...there is no way to spoil this movie for anyone...the makers spoiled it by themselves...
"turd in a punchbowl" movie
lickstain12 February 2005
This is one of the greatest 80s movies!!! It sticks out like a "turd in a punchbowl"!! I can't believe Mad Magazine denounced it or whatever. And yet, they proudly put their name on a show with "Stuart", "I-speak-a-no-enlish Chinese lady" and "UPS guy on speed". What's up with that? And, I LOVE Ron Leibman-he's foxy!! Wonder why he had his name removed from the credits? It was his funniest role that I know of. Of course, he's not nearly as foxy as he was in Norma Rae. But, in my opinion, this movie is right up there with National Lampoon's Vacation. If you liked movies such as Porky's, Fast Times, Last American Virgin, or any of the other 80s teen-focused movies, you'll love this one!! Rent it and you'll see what I mean!!
What's the problem?
Miasmo25 January 1999
I first caught the movie on its first run on HBO in (probably) 1981 and being 15 years old I thought the movie was hilarious. I remember NOT seeing the Alfred E. Neuman depictions shown in the theatrical trailers. When MAD Magazine satired the movie and abruptly halted half way through with apologies from the "usual gang" for lowering themselves to satire such a piece of crap, I just assumed they were poking fun at themselves, which I'm sure they were, but to seriously find them ( and Ron Liebman ) so embarrassed to remove their names from any credits, I was quite surprised. Surely there are many worse movies to be associated with. Watching the movie on video now (at age 32) with the MAD references restored, I still get a kick out of it. And being a Ron Liebman fan (Hot Rock, Where's Poppa?) I think it's his crown jewel of performances (SAY IT AGAAAAIN)
Hmmm
arfdawg-11 June 2020
Actually a very typical late 70's early 80's satire comedy.
Their biggest problem in making this movie was hiring Robert Downey Sr to direct it. He was a horrible director.
To high to know what was going on.
Mad took their name off this movie and even the star Ron Lieberman denounced it. That gives you an idea how how messed up it is.
Their biggest problem in making this movie was hiring Robert Downey Sr to direct it. He was a horrible director.
To high to know what was going on.
Mad took their name off this movie and even the star Ron Lieberman denounced it. That gives you an idea how how messed up it is.
what a movie!
farnum15 May 2001
I think this movie is really funny. Especially the part where all the cadets sit around in the dorm making fun of Major Vaughn. It's so funny because its true! I know - I went to a military school just like the Sheldon R. Wienberg Military Academy. This is the best work that Ralph Machio has done since Eight is Enough. Everyone should rent "Up the Academy" today!
Up the Academy is an uneven yet harmless "adult" comedy from Mad Magazine
tavm20 July 2008
Before I comment on this movie I just watched on YouTube, I have to admit that the reason I checked this out was to rewatch something I first saw on the TV ads in 1980: Barbara Bach's cleavage. And since the movie received an R rating, I expected to see her nude. Alas, no dice for her or of the other gorgeous actress that appeared here: Stacey Nelkin who's supposed to be a teen but was actually 20 when she made this. Seeing her in a bra and panty and later in a belly dancer outfit was just as arousing as Ms. Bach. They provide some of the scattered laughs this movie provides. In fact, I don't blame Ron Leibman for having his name removed from the credits since his role as the tight-fisted Liceman is pretty embarrassing though I did like the "seduction" scene he did with Ms. Nelkin. This also happens to be the debut of Ralph Macchio who's the loner among the misfits sent to an academy school. The others are a black kid who really loves his stepmother and Ms. Bach, an Arab who worships motor oil, and a politician's son who loves his girlfriend Candy (Nelkin's character) so much, he risks sneaking in the middle of the night see her in the girls academy. Among the supporting cast, Tom Poston plays a swishy character named Sisson who I found partly amusing. With a screenplay by Tom Patchett and Jay Tarses and direction by Robert Downey Sr. (whose son Robert Downey Jr. has a cameo early on in a soccer scene), Up the Academy is uneven with the politically incorrect humor but unless you're really offended at the scatological and sexual content, this is actually a pretty harmless comedy that Mad Magazine and its trademark cover boy-Alfred E. Newman-shouldn't be ashamed of even though they once had their name and character taken off the picture...P.S. Another one of the "misfits" was Harry Teinowitz who was born in my birth town of Chicago, Ill. He played Rodney Ververgaert. He also says one of my favorite lines: "I'm trying to come."
A good movie to review with friends
moviebuff72-223-26552427 June 2023
UP the Academy was one of those comedies that failed miserably. If only IMDB allowed a zero rating this is that movie. I wouldn't be surprised if it scored high on rotten tomatoes. It seems decent ones are scored too low and stupid ones too high.
If you like to waste time I recommend it. Congratulations, you wasted 90 minutes that you will never get back. If you liked it, then you good for you. I won't say you have bad taste. Your taste is just different from mine. I do no not recommend it. If you are a guy and want to see some bad movies that are better than this watch Basic Training, Midnight Plowboy, or The Immoral Mr. Teas. If you are a woman, watch, Femalian or Porkys 2.
If you like to waste time I recommend it. Congratulations, you wasted 90 minutes that you will never get back. If you liked it, then you good for you. I won't say you have bad taste. Your taste is just different from mine. I do no not recommend it. If you are a guy and want to see some bad movies that are better than this watch Basic Training, Midnight Plowboy, or The Immoral Mr. Teas. If you are a woman, watch, Femalian or Porkys 2.
Worst of the 80's
Rigormortor31 January 2020
80's movies are known as being classic and good fun, then there are movies like this. A complete disaster and waste of time. Not funny at all, just plain stupid horrible attempt at comedy. I first saw it as a 15 yr old and hated it. This isn't good enough to be in the dollar bin on VHS. No reason why this movie should have ever been made. Don't waste your time, do laundry instead.
"Porky's" Meets "Stripes" In A Middle School
psionchronicles27 December 2022
I can't understand Mad Magazine disowning this movie when it's such a good representation of the humor in their magazine at the time (which I stopped reading about 7th grade). From its conception, this was never going to win any Oscars, but to be honest, I've seen worse movies in this genre. I was 13 when this came out, and at the time I considered it watchable (admittedly, I almost walked out in the middle of the military ball singers scene). Even then, it required a lot of suspended disbelief on my part to accept its depiction of a military school (starting with the haircuts). The production values are pretty low all around, but they most likely didn't have much of a budget to begin with.
How in the world did they get Barbara Bach to star in this?
How in the world did they get Barbara Bach to star in this?
Up "The Landmines!"
jimel9819 September 2006
Honestly, I don't recall a lot about this movie. I recall getting a few laughs and that Ron Leibman is in it (though he refuses to acknowledge it) and that Mad Magazine tried to compete with National Lampoon in the movie biz, but otherwise, eh, whatever.
BUT! There is a scene in which the school hosts a dance with the girl's school nearby. The entertainment is a group called, "The Landmines" which not only reflects its military academy connection, but it's ability to blow up when least expected. This is the one thing I DO recall from this movie. When I saw this in the theatre the year it came out, I recall sitting and occasionally chuckling until that magic moment when "The Landmines" came on stage and began to swing. That group got some of the biggest howls of laughter from me. What a total lack of talent and yet, no followers like Bob Dylan! Go Figure! If you got a few extra bucks and want to rent a movie that you don't have to pay attention to, this is it, UNTIL "The Landmines" show up to perform. Then, you should pay close attention.
BUT! There is a scene in which the school hosts a dance with the girl's school nearby. The entertainment is a group called, "The Landmines" which not only reflects its military academy connection, but it's ability to blow up when least expected. This is the one thing I DO recall from this movie. When I saw this in the theatre the year it came out, I recall sitting and occasionally chuckling until that magic moment when "The Landmines" came on stage and began to swing. That group got some of the biggest howls of laughter from me. What a total lack of talent and yet, no followers like Bob Dylan! Go Figure! If you got a few extra bucks and want to rent a movie that you don't have to pay attention to, this is it, UNTIL "The Landmines" show up to perform. Then, you should pay close attention.
A funny, funny movie!
becca123088 October 2005
I LOVED this flick when it came out in the 80's and still do! I still quote classic lines like "say it again" and "you said you'd rip my balls off sir". Ron Leibman was hot and very funny! Although it was underrated and disowned by MAD, I have to say that this little gem will always be a treasure of mine and a movie that I would take with me if sent to a deserted island! I only wish that someone would release the DVD because my VHS tape is about worn out! If you like cheesed out comedy, this is definitely for you and should be considered a cult classic! It is military humor at it's best and worse! Rent it if you can't own it!
Your education at school doesn't need to come out of books
holmescj8018 March 2005
Misfits at a military school? Hmmmm, sounds funny, maybe offensive to some. You have the characters there, the Arab thief, the sex crazy teen, the smart mouth, the pot smoker, and not to forget, the guy who burns things. Throw in a strict no nonsense Sergent, a homosexual Sergent and one sexy ammunition teacher and it makes one crazy film adventure.
I have seen this film and it is funny, because the comedy is revolved around the fact that if you try to work together, things get done.
These band of misfit students at Weinberg Military school have been placed in here because, as Sgt Liceman quotes "because you are outcasts, embarrassments to your families and communities, disgraces." One of Ralph Macchio's earlier performances before the Karate Kid and My Cousin Vinny, with appearances from Barbara Bach as well, this film appeals to teens and young adults.
Great soundtrack keeps the film moving.
I have seen this film and it is funny, because the comedy is revolved around the fact that if you try to work together, things get done.
These band of misfit students at Weinberg Military school have been placed in here because, as Sgt Liceman quotes "because you are outcasts, embarrassments to your families and communities, disgraces." One of Ralph Macchio's earlier performances before the Karate Kid and My Cousin Vinny, with appearances from Barbara Bach as well, this film appeals to teens and young adults.
Great soundtrack keeps the film moving.
Hysterical
fxtheater93 July 2003
This is bar none the most hilarious movie I have ever seen. Beginning with the four delinquents being sent off by their fathers to Wienberg Military Academy, a tone is set that steadily continues all throughout this goofball film, and it does not let up for a second.
It's tough trying to describe this film; the humor elements are so spot on and brilliantly concieved that upon a first look it appears as nothing more than a stupid 80's teen lust comedy. But it is oh so much more than that! Fresh from the minds of those folks over at MAD Magazine, Up the Academy serves up a formula and style that I have never since seen duplicated by ANY of the "funniest" offerings to come out of Hollywood in years past. Basically the film is so full of infantile cornball material that you might guess that the writers were a couple of 14 year olds themselves. See this movie if you love to act "immature." A classic. *****
It's tough trying to describe this film; the humor elements are so spot on and brilliantly concieved that upon a first look it appears as nothing more than a stupid 80's teen lust comedy. But it is oh so much more than that! Fresh from the minds of those folks over at MAD Magazine, Up the Academy serves up a formula and style that I have never since seen duplicated by ANY of the "funniest" offerings to come out of Hollywood in years past. Basically the film is so full of infantile cornball material that you might guess that the writers were a couple of 14 year olds themselves. See this movie if you love to act "immature." A classic. *****
Up the thumbs for Up The Academy!
pentagore6 February 2005
I may very well be one of the few who really stuck to this film. I also saw this movie when it came out, and I agree with the last post that Up The Acedemy was way ahead of its' time. The humor in the film itself is pure MAD magazine. I don't see why MAD stand behind this feature. It was also one of the few films of the early 80's to have a killer accompanying soundtrack with the punk and new wave bands that were emerging from L.A. at the time. I own the soundtrack and I play it constantly to this day. What can I say? There are definitely worst movies out there. I don't consider Porky's to be as funny as Up The Academy, there are some really good laughs throughout the film, and the jokes fall on either stereotypes or getting laid. Hey, nobody said this was going to be The Maltese Falcon.
Such an academy!!
swiftywhiplash14 May 2004
A screwball, sophomoric, made-on-a-shoestring fluff-of-a-cheapo by the mentally 'very questionable' folks over at Mad Magazine, this hum-dinger of a bomb was Ralph 'Karate Kid' Macchios' feature film debut.
As lame, dunced-up and pointy-headed as this flick is, on a slow night [reeeeeeally slow!], I can't seem to stop myself from pulling this one off the shelf, now and again and vegging out in front of it with a bag of chips, a cold drink and a box of rotten fruit for throwing!
Check out Ralphs 'New Yawk by-way-of-corner store' drawl; check out the smoldering munitions insctrutor [by way of lovely Barbara Bach] who knows her way around a fully loaded 'weapon'! Check out the young misanthrope rejects from a geek festival who become Ralphs cohorts in misadventure in this dust bin disaster and most of all...most of all, sit up straight for the over starched commandant when he's on screen or you may get a stiff "DO IT AGAINNNNNN!" reproach from him! He's a very disturbed egg that one! And in need a a very BIG pill!.
Dumb as this movie is, it's one of those i keep coming back to because it's lovable, way [WAY!] off the quirk-meter and just a friggin' hoot!
As lame, dunced-up and pointy-headed as this flick is, on a slow night [reeeeeeally slow!], I can't seem to stop myself from pulling this one off the shelf, now and again and vegging out in front of it with a bag of chips, a cold drink and a box of rotten fruit for throwing!
Check out Ralphs 'New Yawk by-way-of-corner store' drawl; check out the smoldering munitions insctrutor [by way of lovely Barbara Bach] who knows her way around a fully loaded 'weapon'! Check out the young misanthrope rejects from a geek festival who become Ralphs cohorts in misadventure in this dust bin disaster and most of all...most of all, sit up straight for the over starched commandant when he's on screen or you may get a stiff "DO IT AGAINNNNNN!" reproach from him! He's a very disturbed egg that one! And in need a a very BIG pill!.
Dumb as this movie is, it's one of those i keep coming back to because it's lovable, way [WAY!] off the quirk-meter and just a friggin' hoot!
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