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Robert Hays, Julie Hagerty, Leslie Nielsen

This is a spoof of the airport disaster movies. When the crew of an airplane are struck by some form of virus, the fate of the passengers depends on an ex-war pilot who is the only one able to land th...( read more  read more... )e plane safely! The passengers represent a selection of interesting wacky characters who seem to take every word for its literal meaning.

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48 critics

PG, 1 hr. 28 min.

Directed by: David Zucker, Jim Abrahams, Jerry Zucker

Release Date: July 2, 1980

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DVD Release Date: October 24, 2000

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Flixster Reviews (14,243)

  • stopitgoaway
    November 6, 2009
    stopitgoaway
    "Airplane!" is, was and always shall be the master of spoof movies. It is single-handedly responsible for literally inventing a sub-genre of comedy. It is the ultimate Silly Movie. A satire of the disaster movies of the 1970s, particularly the "Airport" series, nothing makes sens...( read more)e and it doesn't need to. There's no real plot. Just laughs - and plenty of 'em.

    It was helmed by the ZAZ trio (Zucker, Abrahams and Zucker), whose dedication to making the audience laugh is surprisingly adamant. Recent spoofs may have left a bad aftertaste in your mouth, but it seems to be a universal agreement: "Airplane" is the funniest film of its genre ever made. (Closely followed by "The Naked Gun" - also penned by the ZAZ trio - perhaps.)

    The plot: Ted Striker (Robert Hays) is a war veteran-turned-cab-driver who decides to chase after his girlfriend, an airline stewardess named Elaine (Julie Hagerty), who has dumped him in order to pursue a new life. Right before her plane takes off, Ted climbs aboard, hitching a ride in order to woo her back into a relationship again.

    When the aircraft is in midflight, both pilots become very ill after eating their meals. Eventually many passengers begin to show symptoms of a rare disease, apparently transmitted by the food. Onboard, Dr. Rumack (Leslie Nielsen) takes care of the sick passengers as Ted - an ex-fighter pilot from the war - decides to try and land the plane. If he messes up they will all die, and in a particularly funny scene, the pressure becomes so unbearable that he begins to literally sweat gallons in the cockpit.

    That is essentially all the film is about, but most of its duration is spent cracking jokes. Spoof films are entirely different from other movies because normally we would criticize a film if it considered its plot to be the least important element. Not so here. This is a truly brainless piece of celluloid - a movie that doesn't try to be anything that it isn't. From the opening credits - that cleverly spoof "JAWS" - to the closing we realize that this is an altogether unique film going experience.

    The movie's biggest laughs come through unexpected flashbacks, such as when Ted remembers where he first met Elaine in a crummy bar ("...it was worse than Detroit..."), and begins to disco-dance a la John Travolta from "Saturday Night Fever" (complete with Bee Gees soundtrack blaring in the background and the famous Travolta pose). Then, later, we are taken back to when Ted was hospitalized after the war, and finds out that he was responsible for the death of six men. "Seven, actually," he is informed, which adds to the pain of the moment for him.

    Though this movie is very funny, many jokes misfire. If you're not pop culture savvy and you don't remember Mrs. Cleaver from TV's "Leave it to Beaver", the humor is going to go over your head. But unlike many comedies, "Airplane!" offers something unique for each person. I know that as a film lover, I picked up on many movie in-jokes that some people might not recognize. And then there were the gags that I first missed but picked up after a second viewing, or when someone explained them to me, or both. And I'm sure there are many yet that I'm not aware of. It seems that every time I watch it, there's something else to laugh at that I missed previously.

    "Airplane!" not only was a huge success in 1980 (the year of its release), spinning off a horde of imitators and one sequel - it was also responsible for crowning Leslie Nielsen "The King of Spoof." Prior to "Airplane!" Nielsen had been a veteran of more serious productions, stemming back to playing cowboys on "The Mickey Mouse Club" and other embarrassing attempts at acting. However, Nielsen later claimed that he had always wanted to do a comedy, even when he first started acting seriously with projects such as the classic "Forbidden Planet" (one of the best science-fiction films ever made). He later reunited with the ZAZ trio for "The Naked Gun" trilogy, appeared in similar spoof films over the years such as "Wrongfully Accused" and "Scary Movie 3," and had his iconic comedy shtick ripped off by many screen veterans - most noticeably by George Gaynes in the unbearable "Police Academy" (1984).

    When it comes down to a single evaluation, "Airplane" is simply the best spoof film ever made. It's like a MAD Magazine parody come to life. There are the occasional misfires, but unlike many other spoof film imitators, this one contains far more hits. The deadpan acting is genius and everything else fits into place, resulting in what may arguably be one of the absolute funniest films ever conceived and put on the big screen. And if you decide to watch the movie, don't blink - you might miss a gag or two. The "Police Academies" will come and go but "Airplane!" will never be forgotten.
  • SirPant
    September 17, 2009
    SirPant
    Airplane was the first and is still the best spoof film of its kind. It practically invented a genres all to its self, only Mel Brooks was doing these kinds of films before but not at this cheap, quick, hilarious level. I watched this film for the first time at Christmas 1984 whe...( read more)n I was only 5 years old and it gave me weird dreams for weeks. Don't call me Shirley!
  • phubbs1
    July 18, 2009
    phubbs1
    The original spoof and suppose greatest of them all. Not far wrong, its excellent and filled with some great visual gags, it has Neilsen who must be the spoof king and Bridges who is the spoof prince. Some of the scenes are truely classic cinema moments...'dont call me Shirley' ...( read more)'the shits really gonna hit the fan' etc..the only problem now is its age.
  • ohagankieran
    May 6, 2009
    ohagankieran
    "Airplane!" is, was and always shall be the master of spoof movies. It is single-handedly responsible for literally inventing a sub-genre of comedy. It is the ultimate Silly Movie. A satire of the disaster movies of the 1970s, particularly the "Airport" series, nothing makes sens...( read more)e and it doesn't need to. There's no real plot. Just laughs - and plenty of 'em.

    It was helmed by the ZAZ trio (Zucker, Abrahams and Zucker), whose dedication to making the audience laugh is surprisingly adamant. Recent spoofs may have left a bad aftertaste in your mouth, but it seems to be a universal agreement: "Airplane" is the funniest film of its genre ever made. (Closely followed by "The Naked Gun" - also penned by the ZAZ trio - perhaps.)

    The plot: Ted Striker (Robert Hays) is a war veteran-turned-cab-driver who decides to chase after his girlfriend, an airline stewardess named Elaine (Julie Hagerty), who has dumped him in order to pursue a new life. Right before her plane takes off, Ted climbs aboard, hitching a ride in order to woo her back into a relationship again.

    When the aircraft is in midflight, both pilots become very ill after eating their meals. Eventually many passengers begin to show symptoms of a rare disease, apparently transmitted by the food. Onboard, Dr. Rumack (Leslie Nielsen) takes care of the sick passengers as Ted - an ex-fighter pilot from the war - decides to try and land the plane. If he messes up they will all die, and in a particularly funny scene, the pressure becomes so unbearable that he begins to literally sweat gallons in the cockpit.

    That is essentially all the film is about, but most of its duration is spent cracking jokes. Spoof films are entirely different from other movies because normally we would criticize a film if it considered its plot to be the least important element. Not so here. This is a truly brainless piece of celluloid - a movie that doesn't try to be anything that it isn't. From the opening credits - that cleverly spoof "JAWS" - to the closing we realize that this is an altogether unique film going experience.

    The movie's biggest laughs come through unexpected flashbacks, such as when Ted remembers where he first met Elaine in a crummy bar ("...it was worse than Detroit..."), and begins to disco-dance a la John Travolta from "Saturday Night Fever" (complete with Bee Gees soundtrack blaring in the background and the famous Travolta pose). Then, later, we are taken back to when Ted was hospitalized after the war, and finds out that he was responsible for the death of six men. "Seven, actually," he is informed, which adds to the pain of the moment for him.

    Though this movie is very funny, many jokes misfire. If you're not pop culture savvy and you don't remember Mrs. Cleaver from TV's "Leave it to Beaver", the humor is going to go over your head. But unlike many comedies, "Airplane!" offers something unique for each person. I know that as a film lover, I picked up on many movie in-jokes that some people might not recognize. And then there were the gags that I first missed but picked up after a second viewing, or when someone explained them to me, or both. And I'm sure there are many yet that I'm not aware of. It seems that every time I watch it, there's something else to laugh at that I missed previously.

    "Airplane!" not only was a huge success in 1980 (the year of its release), spinning off a horde of imitators and one sequel - it was also responsible for crowning Leslie Nielsen "The King of Spoof." Prior to "Airplane!" Nielsen had been a veteran of more serious productions, stemming back to playing cowboys on "The Mickey Mouse Club" and other embarrassing attempts at acting. However, Nielsen later claimed that he had always wanted to do a comedy, even when he first started acting seriously with projects such as the classic "Forbidden Planet" (one of the best science-fiction films ever made). He later reunited with the ZAZ trio for "The Naked Gun" trilogy, appeared in similar spoof films over the years such as "Wrongfully Accused" and "Scary Movie 3," and had his iconic comedy shtick ripped off by many screen veterans - most noticeably by George Gaynes in the unbearable "Police Academy" (1984).

    When it comes down to a single evaluation, "Airplane" is simply the best spoof film ever made. It's like a MAD Magazine parody come to life. There are the occasional misfires, but unlike many other spoof film imitators, this one contains far more hits. The deadpan acting is genius and everything else fits into place, resulting in what may arguably be one of the absolute funniest films ever conceived and put on the big screen. And if you decide to watch the movie, don't blink - you might miss a gag or two. The "Police Academies" will come and go but "Airplane!" will never be forgotten.
  • sanjurosamurai
    March 23, 2009
    sanjurosamurai
    great slapstick comedy. not quite my style of film and a bit overrated, but still full of hilarious moments.
  • erikggrep
    November 20, 2009
    erikggrep
    What's slower than a speeding bullet, and able to hit tall buildings at a single bound? IT'S AN AIR DISASTER FILM SPOOF! When the airplane crew and passengers fall ill due to food poisoning virus caused by a bad in-flight meal of fish, the fate of the passengers depends on a form...( read more)er navy pilot who is surely afraid to fly since the war. But don't call him Shirley: Ted Striker was dumped by his long-time girlfriend (and airline stewardess) Elaine. As a way to win her back Ted follows Elaine on board and, with flying experience, attempts to land the plane safely.

    Directed by David and Jerry Zucker and Jim Abrahams (ZAZ), Airplane! features classic acting performances from the following cast:
    1.) Robert Hays (Ted Striker)
    2.) Julie Hagerty (Elaine)
    3.) Leslie Nielsen (Dr. Rumack)
    4.) Lloyd Bridges (McCroskey)
    5.) Robert Stack (Rex Kramer)
    6.) Lorna Patterson (Randy)
    7.) Peter Graves (Capt. Oveur)
    8.) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Murdock)
    9.) Stephen Stucker (Johnny)

    The film has its share of the following of my favorite memorable quotes that will keep me awake all night:
    1.) "Have you ever seen a grown man naked?" (Capt. Oveur)
    2.) "By the way, is there anyone on board who knows how to fly a plane?" (Elaine)
    3.) "Surely you can't be serious?" (Ted Striker)
    4.) "I am serious, and don't call me Shirley." (Dr. Rumack)

    "One of the top ten funniest movies ever made", just as one movie poster says, I've watched Airplane! lots of times during my childhood due to my fascination of airplanes. And even today, it's still one of my favorite films while the humor I never knew I was watching for a long time remains. In was, in fact, the film that popularized comedy spoofs parodying serious movies - the Airport series was one of these influenced - and this was what introduced me into the genre. The ZAZ team did a fantastic job in working on it, and so do the actors - I see that this was really Leslie Nielsen's first comedy film; in previous films he was in serious drama roles. With good in-jokes that worked so well that I can easily catch them throughout, I say that the highly recommended Airplane! is surely the best comedy movie of all time, THE BEST MOVIE EVER. Don't miss it, or you'll miss the laughs. But don't call me Shirley.
  • clairebear44
    November 15, 2009
    clairebear44
    Ridiculously funny. In the same vein as Top Secret, Airplane (or Flying High) is a raucous adventure with some amazing comedy from actors not typically playing comedic roles.
  • Yelverton
    November 8, 2009
    Yelverton
    You'll laugh your tail off with this one.
  • totalefreiheit
    November 5, 2009
    totalefreiheit
    Clasico! Humor muy simple.
  • McCorpse
    October 27, 2009
    McCorpse
    Add a review (optional)...

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Critic Reviews

December 6, 2005
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

It is sophomoric, obvious, predictable, corny, and quite often very funny. And the reason it's funny is frequently because it's sophomoric, predictable, corny, etc. full review

View more Airplane! reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments

  • TheDemonHunter
    June 16, 2008
    TheDemonHunter
    Have you ever seen a grown man naked? lol
  • terris85017
    August 27, 2007
    terris85017
    On mine and several friends' top list of comedy parodies!! (all of the epic tragic films & disaster remakes of the 1970's)
    Flixster - Share Movies
    Peter Graves & Lesley Nielssen deserved oscars.....Not to mention one of my favorite all time lines, 'I think I picked the wrong month to quit smoking, drinking......: Credit where credit is due also to Lloyd Bridges! And DON'T call me SHIRLEY!!
  • racheljames921
    July 7, 2007
    racheljames921
    I love this movie! It's the best movie I have ever seen!
  • lynzkieval
    June 25, 2007
    lynzkieval
    best comedy ever..........
  • yawhatever123
    February 19, 2007
    yawhatever123
    On of my favorite movies ever!! I could watch the jive seen 10000 times and not get tired of it.

    DON'T CALL ME SHERLY
  • MorpheusOne
    December 1, 2006
    MorpheusOne
    Stupid funny humor is really overated! When a movie is to stupid to be funny sitting there & trying to watch it just gives me a migraine headache.
  • chinchu
    November 28, 2006
    chinchu
    Best comedy ever!!
  • CiaSki
    October 24, 2006
    CiaSki
    Must...see.. life of brian...gah! And Mel Brooks stuff. Love him. And Monthy Python.
    Ooo.. I am too mainstream for my own good.
  • V4Vendetta
    June 11, 2006
    V4Vendetta
    O Such a funny movie!!!! Its just hallarious!!!!!! even when you have seen it for the 100th time!!!
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