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Release Date: 07/02/80
Studio: Paramount Pictures
Directors: Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, Jerry Zucker
Writers: Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, Jerry Zucker
Stars: Robert Hays, Julie Hagerty, Leslie Nielsen, Robert Stack, Lloyd Bridges, Peter Graves, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Lorna Patterson.
Awards: Nominated, Best Motion Picture -- Comedy/Musical, 1981 Golden Globes
Quotes: Too many to list; look here.
"Airplane!" has had so many impersonators, both deliberate (including the sequel) and inadvertent, that sometimes it's tough to remember that this one came before all of them. It can be tough to remember the originality in this flick, even as a spoof that rips off almost everything. The greatest point of originality, actually, is the casting of Leslie Nielsen, who did not have much of a comedic past before this picture, but of course, has changed that.
Conversely, one can say that the film is only funnier because it came first. But it holds up today, even with the passing of time on many cultural references (such as the admittedly silly "Jaws"-in-the-clouds spoof to open the film) and the waves of airplane fear (the 1980s and its hijackings and explosions and, of course, post-9/11 fears). It's just as funny now; how many films, even great ones, can say that 27 years after their release.
The secret is in two things: while it's jam-packed, never sparing a moment to have one, two, three or more gags happening at once, at least one part of the scene moves the movie forward. There's no wasted film. And most importantly, the movie is actually pretty damn good. It's silly, yes, but the plot keeps you interested beyond fast-forwarding to the best gags. Even the banter that has jokes sets up what's happening and what's going to happen -- at the least, say, with the two kids talking like grownups ("I take my coffee black, like my men"), you sure as hell won't forget who they are.
And the attention to detail on exposition and gags is something many directors today could take something from when working in comedy or drama. The actors take things just seriously enough, and the music and direction is ironic without being unaware of the parody.
The film also stands on its own despite its heavy debts to the 1957 picture "Zero Hour" and the "Airport" films. Even if you haven't seen those films, you're likely to enjoy this.
With many of the situations, you'll laugh, most likely, at the joke in the context of the film, but if not, you'll recognize the film, show, or situation it's spoofing (the man waving to his girlfriend from the plane rather than train is a good example). Compare this with "Scary Movie" and its sequels, where, even at it's best, it's almost entirely about getting the references and not anything inherently funny in the content.
Another aspect that always strikes me is how many characters get enough screen time to develop, even in a ridiculous way. Most Oscar-winning dramas can't pack a dozen or more characters in without neglecting most of them. Even the stereotypes still retain something unique that identifies them as "Airplane!" characters. And no Oscar-winning film has the brilliance of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. That casting and writing alone marks this film as a must-see.
What's a little odd to see? Everybody just hanging out on the runway in this age of hypersecurity, and while the girl fight in the bar is funny, the girl crashing into the jukebox is staged terribly, and not even "Airplane!" can overcome having "Stayin' Alive" in it. On the other hand, the whole arrival and check-in scene at airports hasn't changed, and even "Airplane II" mined some humor out of that. The jive-talkers is much more of a 1970s thing, but there's enough similarities with rap, etc., to draw in viewers now. Besides, the actors sell it so well.
It's also odd to see how no romantic comedies have learned from all the people killing themselves when Striker tells those sob stories. In fact, without that running joke and the absurd music that many films use seriously, those stories might drag down this film.
Basically, when you watch "Airplane!" you watch what is at once a classic of its time and of all time. But mostly, you watch a movie that is funny without insulting your intelligence.
Labels: classic-review
