Up the Academy

R

Released Jun 6, 1980

1h 29m

Comedy

List

0%

5 Reviews

Tomatometer

43%

500+ Ratings

Audience Score

The war-obsessed commandant of Weinberg Military Academy is no match for the troublesome brats enrolled there.

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Steve D

Not funny for a single moment.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

03/13/23

Full Review

Devon B

This movie was all-out enjoyable for the most part. This is Ralph Macchio's film debut and probably one that he sadly forgot about. I've seen the bad reviews of this movie and I have to say I don't understand the amount of hate that it gets. Although there are some parts that people would probably find offensive other than that the movie conveys such a humorous and raunchy take on military schools. The General in this movie plays out similarly to a mean headroom teacher at a boarding school. I also love the soundtrack. It's full of some incredible punk rock, new wave, and power pop from tons of different bands. The music itself sort of blends in with the movie with how it plays out they do something where they'd play half of a song and then another half later. But if had to critique it a little I'd probably have to say we don't see much of Ralph Macchio's character he doesn't get many stand-out scenes compared to the other cast mates but my only problem other than that Up The Academy is a Humorous and somewhat a before it's time film that deserves a second chance I give this movie 4 in a half stars.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

08/23/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I went into Up the Academy expecting one of the worst movies I’ve ever seen. I had heard the history that this movie was originally created under the banner of Mad Magazine but they were so embarrassed by it they paid to have their name taken off. And the star of the movie also petitioned to get his name out of the credits. That’s a lot of bad signs all rolled into one movie. I assumed it was going to be horrid, so I was surprised that it wasn’t all that bad. Don’t get me wrong, Up the Academy is terrible. It indulges in some awful racism, includes disturbing implied pedophilia, and most of the jokes are ineffective. But it’s not a worst-of-all-time contender. And what surprised me was how much it felt like a Mad Magazine product. These are the dorky jokes which are crass but not too vulgar that you will find in every issue. I would never suggest someone else watch Up the Academy, but at least it’s not painfully bad.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

04/25/18

Full Review

Audience Member

I gave this a spin on a cheapo DVD and thought it was fairly amusing for what it was, but I was surprised to see that the Mad Magazine people had later distanced themselves from the finished project. I mean, the movie doesn't exactly re-invent the wheel with its comedy, but it's not THAT BAD, y'know? Worth a rental at the very least. if you dig some prep school/military academy type of hijinx.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/07/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Could have been so much better, Even MAD Magazine sued to get their name off it!

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/24/23

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Audience Member

(**): [img]http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/user/icons/icon13.gif[/img] Some laughs but nothing really special here.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/18/23

Full Review

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Robert Downey Sr.

Director

Ron Leibman

Major Vaughn Liceman

Wendell Brown

Ike

Tom Citera

Hash

J. Hutchinson

Oliver

Ralph Macchio

Chooch

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Michael Blowen

Boston Globe

I can't remember anticipating the end of a film with such exuberance.

Apr 28, 2018

Full Review

Vincent Canby

New York Times

Cheerfully and rudely haphazard.

Rated: 2.5/5

May 30, 2007

Full Review

Jeffrey M. Anderson

Combustible Celluloid

In an attempt to follow National Lampoon, it was the first and only film produced by MAD Magazine. One viewing reveals why.

Rated: 2/4

May 30, 2007

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TV Guide

Notable only because its star, Ron Liebman, sued the studio to have his name removed from the credits and advertising.

Rated: 1/4

May 30, 2007

Full Review

Scott Weinberg

DVDTalk.com

I can plainly understand why several involved parties lobbied to get their names removed from this film.

Rated: 1.5/5

Feb 13, 2006

Full Review

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Synopsis

The war-obsessed commandant of Weinberg Military Academy is no match for the troublesome brats enrolled there.

Director: Robert Downey Sr.
Distributor: Warner Bros.
Production Co: Warner Brothers/Seven Arts
Rating: R
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 6, 1980, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2008
Runtime: 1h 29m
Sound Mix: Surround

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