Airplane!

Starring: Robert Hays, Julie Hagerty, Robert Stack, Lloyd Bridges, Peter Graves, Leslie Nielsen, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Lorna Patterson
Directed by: Jim Abrahams, David Zucker
Rating: PG
Genre: Comedy
1980

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Summary: After an entire plane becomes sick with food poisoning, an ex-pilot (Robert Hays) who has long since feared flying is forced to take the controls once again or everyone on the plane will die.

Review:

Tim: This is a decently funny movie that operates under the assumption that the best way to do comedy is to throw jokes constantly at the audience, hoping as many as possible will stick. The jokes that work are incredibly funny- this film has some of the funniest gags I have ever seen. However, the jokes that don't work are oftentimes painful to watch. An example of the best joke is- "Surely you can't be serious." "I am serious... and don't call me Shirley." I love this exchange. It is hard to gauge this movie because on one hand, the film is memorable and truly funny. On the other, it is laughable in a bad way.

The film's plot is pretty ridiculous, even if it is a good spoof of many similar films. We are given enough to keep us entertained, but not thoroughly interested.

Robert Hays does a good job. Julie Hagerty gives a poor excuse of a performance. Lloyd Bridges and Leslie Nielsen account for most of the laughs. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's presence is humorous, but he himself in not funny in the least.

Airplane! is a classic comedy and the jokes that work are well worth watching the ones that don't.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 5.5



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend: Airplane II: The Sequel, Fletch, The Naked Gun