Vice Academy 5

Vice Academy 5 is an American comedy film from 1996, directed by Rick Sloane. The movie is a part of the infamous "Vice Academy" series which gained popularity in the late 80s and early 90s for its blend of comedy, action, and provocative storylines. Featuring the durable acting talents of Elizabeth Kaitan, Raelyn Saalman, and Jayne Hamil, Vice Academy 5 continues the narrative of our dynamic and decidedly irreverent policewomen, perpetuating the storylines that fans loved about the previous films.

Maintaining the series' cheeky tone, the movie follows the journey of Candy (Elizabeth Kaitan) and Traci (Raelyn Saalman), two spunky police academy trainees who are aspiring to become full-fledged vice officers. Their boss is the serious Miss Devonshire aka Didi (Jayne Hamil), whose relentless commitment to law and order ensures that these trainees are always geared up for an unpredictable ride full of ludicrous occurrences and outlandish villains. The chemistry between Kaitan, Saalman, and Hamil provides the backbone for the comedic moments that are sprinkled throughout the film, ensuring that the laughs keep coming.

Despite facing daily dangers and outlandish occurrences, our heroines never lose their unique, often hugely humorous outlook on their predicaments. They go through bizarre training methods, absurd stakeouts, and engage in audacious undercover stings which are a highlight of the film. With their quips, bravery, and somewhat loose interpretation of police procedures, Candy and Traci set off to apprehend the city's most notorious criminals who are as unconventional as them. However, the crime-fighting future of our duo hangs in balance as a nefarious plan to discredit the Vice Academy unfolds.

On the villainous side, the colorful array of criminal masterminds ensure that there’s never a dull moment. These villains are as unconventional as they are menacing, and their quirky attributes make them an absolute riot to watch. Without spoiling too much, it's worth noting that the film’s main villain brings a distinctive and enjoyable new dimension to the Vice Academy universe that viewers will appreciate. This not-so-average bad guy ups the ante for our hopeful heroines as they struggle to outsmart their cunning adversary.

Visually, Vice Academy 5 is firmly grounded in its era. Its aesthetics is marked by glaring neon hues, wild hairdos, and an overabundance of power blazers and shoulder pads. This film doesn't shy away from its 90s roots and instead, immerses its audience fully into a stylized version of the decade making it feel like a time capsule of the era. All this, backed by a catchy, upbeat soundtrack that keeps the energy high throughout the film.

The film’s humor often catapults into the realm of slapstick and camp, wisely leaning into the series' reputation for farcical comedy. While some of the jokes are on the nose, that doesn’t detract from the overall fun of the movie. With an almost cartoonish sense of reality, this is a film that is unafraid to poke fun at itself, along with the genre it parodies.

Just like its predecessors, Vice Academy 5 doesn't take itself too seriously and that’s where its charm lies. This self-awareness comes across in a storyline that’s packed with satire, spoofing not just police procedural dramas but pop culture of its time in general. Yet, amidst the humor and harebrained criminal schemes, the film successfully continues the ongoing dynamic story arc between the main characters, in a way that has been a cornerstone of the Vice Academy Series.

In essence, Vice Academy 5 stands as a testament to low-budget cinema's ability to entertain. It's an irreverent romp, paying tribute to the cop dramas, while infusing it with an energetic charm that riddles the law enforcement genre with eccentricity. While the humor, action, and visuals are all beautifully outrageous, it is the chemistry between Kaitan, Saalman, and Hamil, that makes this film truly special.

For newcomers, the film’s light-hearted and slapstick comedy makes it a fun and endearing watch. On the other hand, for loyal followers of the series, Vice Academy 5 offers the same blend of outlandish humor and consistent character progression that earned it a cult following. Regardless of whether you're a long-time fan or new to the series, Vice Academy 5 serves as a quirky, eccentric, and amusing addition to your watch list.