When Ski Patrol first came out the posters boasted "From the Producers of Police Academy..." and it's pretty easy to tell this considering that it follows that series' template and formula to a tee. But perhaps it wasn't such a smart move considering that, when this was released in 1990, the bumbling antics of certain police officers was up to its sixth entry and audiences were incredibly tired of them. When I first saw this when it came out on VHS (and considering my compulsion to watch any skiing based comedy), I thought it was a pretty funny romp. Then again, I was a teenager at the time. Looking back at it now, twenty-five-years later (yikes!), I can see it for what it is: a harmless and slapstick fuelled PG-rated comedy that would feel right at home as a TV movie if it wasn't for a few utterances of the word "shit". During the flick's 91 minutes I was never bored and I did manage to get a few chuckles out of it but its obvious why this has become somewhat obscure over time.

The pre-credits High Noon slopes showdown introduces us to lovable hero Jerry (Roger Rose) and preppie Lance (Corby Timbrook) which leads to a lengthy skiing sequence before settling down into your usual "Misfits vs. The Rich" plotline. The action takes place at the Snowy Peaks resort where Jerry is a member of the title ski patrol which includes the typical slipshod group of goofballs like the funny black guy Iceman (T.K. Carter) and his numerous celebrity impressions, the token Latino and explosives expert Eddie (George Lopez), the nerdy wannabe Stanley (Paul Feig), and their diminutive boss Murray (Leslie Jordan). Amongst all the expected and completely mild hijinks, bodily function jokes, and slapstick it falls to our ski patrol to try and save the resort from greedy businessman Maris (Martin Mull) who has recruited Lance and his douche pals to sabotage the slopes so they'll fail safety inspections and he can swoop in and buy the place up from owner Pops (Ray Walston). This, of course, leads to a finale where our misfits have to work together to stage a huge rescue - and give us some mild skiing action.

While Ski Patrol isn't worth remembering for its humour (I admit to chuckling during a scene involving Murray and some growth pills), it is notable for having a pretty decent cast. Rose, who seems to be trying to channel the smart-assed tone of Steve Guttenberg in the Police Academy flicks, is pretty likeable in the lead as he mostly drifts through the movie with a "Who me?" shrug. He's had an incredibly busy career doing voices for numerous animated series and video games. Carter (The Thing, Doctor Detroit) also tries to channel some of producer Paul Maslansky's prior series (Michael Winslow's mouthpiece Jones) with his impressions and various karaoke moments. It's almost too much. Stand-up Lopez is forgettable in this early role and gets to do a Spanish Rodney Dangerfield impersonation. Feig, who has a really embarrassing talent show moment dressed as Tina Turner as well as a dance sequence, went on to direct such comedy hits as Bridesmaids and The Heat. I really enjoyed Sean Gregory Sullivan as the multiple personality suffering snowboarder Suicide ("Taste death, live life.") while veteran character actors Walston (Fast Times at Ridgemont High) and Mull are solid.

This is the kind of movie I'd probably stop and watch if it was on TV during a lazy weekend afternoon. It's an inoffensive time and could've been a lot worse. That being said, it also probably would have benefitted from channelling the R-rated vulgarity and nudity of fellow ski comedy Hot Dog... The Movie. If you grew up with the Police Academy movies, or where around when this came out on video, then you should check it out. Otherwise, it's pretty forgettable. (Chris Hartley, 1/18/15)

Directed By: Richard Correll.
Written By: Steven Long Mitchell, Craig W. Van Sickle.

Starring: Roger Rose, Yvette Nipar, T.K. Carter, Leslie Jordan.