Pretty Good

The thing I enjoyed most about the film is the fact that it doesn't shy away from being a super-sized-cliche;

The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

This is a dark and sometimes deeply uncomfortable drama

The most interesting part about this film for me was how similar John Murray behaves like his brother Bill, and that's a good thing. I still watch this film to this day and wonder.. Is he acting like Bill? Does John & Bill naturally act the same. Does John always act like him or just for this film? Are they copying each other? Was John told to act like Bill. Maybe both Bill & John adopted this style from an older brother, or even their father? It's the famous conundrum, which came first, the chicken or the egg?? We know Bill is hugely respected and well known, so what of his little bro who shows the same potential? Is Bill the lucky brother but they are all talented? So many questions from such an unassuming 80s film. Sadly there isn't much of a John Murray acting career to dissect. This film is pretty much his only major role, leaving us with very little else to analyse. All that aside, this film has some major laughs. Mix Police Academy with License To Drive. It's great relaxed fun.

After directing Tom Hanks in the comedy smash "Bachelor Party" the year before, Neal Israel would go to take on the traffic school comedy "Moving Violations" with the same fruity results. While I like "Bachelor Party" better, still it's not taking anything away from it, as it had loads of humorous instances consisting of visual gags and gaudy one-liners from a light-headed script. There are some misfires evident, but it's just too pleasant and how can you pass its catchy soundtrack.After losing their licenses for repeated offences a group of drivers are sentenced to traffic school and their cars impounded, but their bitter driving instructors (once highly regarded officers) are making sure they won't easily pass.It's the usual formula, as it has that chaotically nutty vein that flowed through "Police Academy (1984)". Sure it can be dumb and low-brow, but its mishap humour is enjoyably staged. Namely James Keach's uptight shtick as Deputy Halik was a complete hoot and an amusing Nedra Volz's blind as a bat turn as Mrs. Loretta Houk. The cast are committed to their misfit characters and made it more the merrier. A likable John Murray (brother of Bill) chips in with his self-knowing presence, throwing around snappy quips. When Keach and Murray came together is when it livened up. Jennifer Tilly keeps it perky and sincere in a role doesn't really ask a real lot from her. Brian Backer is in a usual dweeb role and a diverting Ned Eisenberg bloodshed happy turn is great (the sequence involving the class watching the tape; Blood flows red on the highway!" shows the slightly disturbing obsession). Which he's tagged obviously as a horror fan (referencing films like "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" and "Friday the 13th" films). Lisa Hart Carroll is marvellous as the cold-hearted deputy Virginia Morris and her cat-fight with Sally Kellerman's shrewish character is unforgettable. Also there's pleasurable support by Fred Willard, Wendie Jo Sperber, Willard E. Pugh and Nadine Van der Velde. Other familiar stars in nothing more than minor cameos are Don Cheadle and Dedee Pfeiffer.

A group of people, whose vehicles are held because of traffic violations, must pass the test of hardened, tight-wad Deputy Halik(James Keach)and his very butch lover Virginia(Lisa Hart Carroll). What weighs against them, other than their own ineptitude, is that crooked Judge Henderson(Sally Kellerman playing the usual sexpot slut)is in cahoots with Halik on failing them despite their chances of passing so that they can sell their cars and share the profit. Henderson also offers her bed to Halik. Will they be able to outwit Henderson and Halik? John Murray(who is indeed imitating his brother..but doing it very well because he's quite funny)plays Dana Cannon, the one responsible for costing Halik a big promotion. Halik and Virginia attacked a car believing it was Dana's but was indeed their chief's! So being busted down to traffic teaching really has Halik gunning for Dana. The cast has some recognizable faces such as a young frizzy-haired, bubble-headed Jennifer Tilly as Amy, Dana's love interest and an employee of NASA! Brian Backer, with his bulging eyes, plays Scott, a puppeteer in love with a 15-year old punk rocker(who pretends to be older and passes off as an ordinary clean-cut girl until the bad side comes out). Wendie Jo Sperber has a hilarious role as hypochondriac Joan who doesn't understand that Fred Willard's "Doc" Williams is an auto mechanic(she thinks he's a doctor, he thinks she's wanting her car worked on..the dialogue of the scene and when she comes to visit for a "check up" are priceless).But, the real laughs come from Nedra Volz as Loretta Houk. She's blind as a bat and this provides some gut-busting moments of true silliness such as the scene where she mistakingly goes into the men's room and wonders why her back is all wet(..or how she wound up in the class to begin with;she actually drove her car onto an airstrip!!).

I am not sure why this one gets rated so bad and it seems that it never got any publicity, but the movie was good for what it was made to be. It is too absurd to be realistic and that just helps it. I've laughed so many times during it that really, i would recommend it.Think of it as the naked gun series meets super troopers. It has certain priceless moments such as "the Doc" scenes which are guaranteed to make you fall on the floor.It is not a serious movie and if you are looking for some deep story line, you won't find it (i feel the need to highlight that). Simple down to earth fun like only the 80s can deliver. Don't bring popcorn, you might choke on it :)7/10