Up the Academy (1980)

48% of users liked it
(742 ratings)

A teen comedy that does not quite rise to the level of that age group, this uninspired story features Ron Liebman as the Major, a sadistic instructor at a military school. Ralph Macchio (before his 1984 hit, Karate Kid) and other teens of every stripe suffer through the indignities heaped on them by… More A teen comedy that does not quite rise to the level of that age group, this uninspired story features Ron Liebman as the Major, a sadistic instructor at a military school. Ralph Macchio (before his 1984 hit, Karate Kid) and other teens of every stripe suffer through the indignities heaped on them by the Major and do their best with the sexual, ethnic, and racial stereotypes that the script gives them to handle. Robert Downey directs, Tom Patchett and Jay Tarses wrote the screenplay. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 27 min.
Directed By: Robert Downey Sr., Robert Downey
Genres: Comedy

In Theaters: Jun 6, 1980 Wide
On DVD: Feb 14, 2006

Critic Reviews

Vincent Canby, New York Times
Cheerfully and rudely haphazard.
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.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Notable only because its star, Ron Liebman, sued the studio to have his name removed from the credits and advertising.
Scott Weinberg, DVDTalk.com
I can plainly understand why several involved parties lobbied to get their names removed from this film.

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Featured Audience Ratings

AJ V

I really liked this movie, it's very funny and goofy, and it's a good teen story too. If you like teen comedies I highly recommend it, and it's brought to you by Mad Magazine!
Adam M

More transgressive than almost any teen comedy, but not funny enough -- though it's funnier than Cracked, funnier than the Lighter Side Of... And it's funnier than Police Academy and more visually interesting than Stripes. Ron Liebman may have taken his name off, but really,… More
More transgressive than almost any teen comedy, but not funny enough -- though it's funnier than Cracked, funnier than the Lighter Side Of... And it's funnier than Police Academy and more visually interesting than Stripes. Ron Liebman may have taken his name off, but really, his role isn't well-written and his performance is lacking. The movie isn't bad. Also, the soundtrack is hipper than it should be and so is Ralph Macchio.
Dean M

This was <i>Mad</i> magazine's first and only attempt to emulate <i>National Lampoon's</i> film success is dull and not-so-hilarious comedy I ever watched.