Airplane! (1980)
Retro Review #55: Surely we shouldn’t still be receiving taunts in our general direction!
Airplane! (1980)
+ Feature film, 1h 28m
+ Based on film Zero Hour! (1957) ‼️🔙 by Arthur Hailey, Hall Bartlett, John Champion
+ ?/? works in Flight Into Danger multiverse ⭐
+ 1️⃣/2 films in Airplane! series ⭐
A+v
Grade: A+v (20.0) / HOF: 60
EQ 👍A++ | 📖A+ 👥A+ 📽️A+ 🎼A+
DW 🕶️🕶️10.0 | 🌚10 🌝10
POPCAP 💯n/a 🍿n/a 🧢n/a
L-R 💻⬆️1️⃣ 👀⬇️1️⃣ 🛐⬇️3️⃣
(An Englishman speaking with an English accent, Part 2. Read Part 1 here.) “Oh, smashing, here we are back to review Airplane!, call it a better movie than Monty Python and the Holy Grail, sending the Monty Python supporters off to have a strop, whilst still going on to implement some sort of clever plan to miff all the Airplane! supporters as well. Is that about the size of things, or is there something even less brilliant percolating between your ears where one might find a slightly-organized clump of grey matter in a more advanced primate?”
(An American speaking in unaccented English, glumly) “Oh, you again. I suppose you’re going to call me daft again?”
“Roger that. Congratulations are most assiduously in order! Why, that was a deduction worthy of renowned detective, the most honorable Sherlock Holmes, himself. You might even say...”
(Interrupting) “Now just you wait a minute. I’ve had just about enough of you and your high and mighty sarcasm. As I pointed out last time, in 2011, an ABC special ‘Best in Film: The Greatest Movies of Our Time’ named Airplane! as the best comedy of all-time, while Monty Python and the Holy Grail finished second!”
(Aside to audience, mockingly) “As I pointed out last time: Daft. Bonkers. Barmy. Off. His. Head.”
“Airplane! was also voted #1 in a 2012 poll by Empire magazine on ‘The 50 Funniest Comedies Ever’. And for your information, I think Airplane! is a little bit funnier of the two films, placing second for me on that list, while Monty Python and the Holy Grail is a little bit better as a comedy film, although neither would be included in my top ten best comedy movies ever.”
(The Englishman turns back to the audience and then looks towards the heavens, throwing his arms up in mock despair.)
(The American continues on, not noticing the Englishman’s antics.)
“But when we talk about how funny Airplane! is, why, the jokes and sight gags in the film consistently bring laughs at a rate of around once every 26 seconds! Surely you knew that.”
(Suddenly and inexplicably switching from an English accent to a gruff Canadian accent) “I did not know that. And don’t call…”
(Oblivious to any objections, the American never pauses for a second, talking right over the protestations of his formerly English, now Canadian, nemesis.)
“Now Airplane! made a comedic star out of Canadian actor Leslie Nielsen, who later starred in the Naked Gun film series. Those films were written by the legendary filmmaking team consisting of Jim Abrahams, and brothers David and Jerry Zucker, also known as ZAZ, who also wrote and made their directorial debut in Airplane!, even though they previously wrote the screenplay for The Kentucky Fried Movie…”
(The Englishman Canadian, suddenly and inexplicably appearing as a South Asian businessman in suit, tie and turban, looks on in horror.)
(The American, still oblivious, continuing) “…which was an R-rated movie that was a parody of television content of the time. Airplane! probably should have been rated R also, but somehow escaped with a PG rating, despite including drug usage, lots of adult language, frequent sexual innuendo and humor, and even topless female nudity. If you really must watch it with your kids, I highly recommend you visit VidAngel.com…”
(The Canadian South Asian businessman produces a can of gasoline and begins to douse himself with its contents.)
(Not noticing) “…and learn how to use their excellent app which works with popular streaming services to filter out content you donʼt find appropriate for your family. It can blur nudity, mute profanity, and so on, and is completely customizable. So anyway, this adult content in Airplane! is why…”
(The businessman lights a match.)
(Continuing) “…we are calling this film an example of Dark Whimzy, not Dark Whimsy. In this case, we will even call it Pure Dark Whimzy, because there’s really a lot of it! I think I explained the rationale for this somewhere in a previous review.” (turning to businessman) “Perhaps you’re not that interested?”
(The businessman pauses with eyes wide, still holding the flaming match.)
“Oh, but if you would excuse me for a while, I could go find that review and come back later when I’ve got a link for you.”
(The businessman nods eagerly, as the match burns shorter.)
(The American, while exiting) “It could take a while. Have you heard of Dark Whimsy? It happens when horrible events are juxtaposed with silly humor. Things like that. There’s so much more I could tell you about Airplane! I’ve read its Wikipedia entry! There’s this inflatable autopilot named Otto, and…”
(The American has exited. The businessman, still drenched in gasoline, but visibly relieved, blows out the match. Sighing, he releases the still-smoking embers from his fingertips.)
Onwards!
Legal Disclaimer: Once again, we apologize for the fault in this review. Those responsible have again been sacked.
As before, in lieu of a good review, illustrated with screenshots from the movie interspersed throughout, please enjoy these stills from Airplane!, appended here with our apologies.
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+ last viewed (3) 2025-03-20, HDX7, 1.85v, 1M
+ first viewed 1980, ThX, 1.85, 1
+ 🍌✈️🌪️🌑🥸😛
+ ❌1️⃣ Light adults-only content. | PGc
+ 😡+1 😵💫-1 🤬-0 🤭-0 🫣-1
+ 👀⬇️1️⃣ ➖😐
+ ✝️ -2 ➖💣👙🚬
+ ✡️ -1 ➖💣🫢
+ 🗽 -2 ➖💻💻🫄
Last updated 2025-04-14
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