Zero Hour for laughs.
Airplane! (1980): 10 out of 10: is a comedic tour-de-force, a relentless barrage of gags that satirizes the disaster film genre with unparalleled brilliance. From its iconic opening shot of an airplane tail flying through the clouds to the Jaws theme to its absurdly satisfying conclusion of Howard Jarvis waiting in a taxi, the film operates on a level of comedic genius rarely, if ever, matched.
The rapid-fire delivery of jokes, the sheer volume of sight gags, and the perfectly timed performances from a cast that plays it all with a straight face create an experience that is both hilarious and endlessly quotable.
It’s a masterclass in comedic timing, where every frame is packed with something to make you laugh, whether it’s a visual pun, a witty one-liner, or a hilariously awkward situation.
What truly elevates “Airplane!” to the pinnacle of comedic achievement is its timelessness. Decades later, its humor remains fresh and its impact undiminished. It transcends generational gaps and cultural differences, proving that expertly crafted silliness is a universal language.
The film’s ability to flawlessly blend slapstick, wordplay, and satire without a single dull moment solidifies its place as the gold standard for comedy. There has never been, and likely never will be, a comedy that reaches the same level of consistent, unadulterated hilarity.
“Airplane!” isn’t just a good comedy; it’s a perfect one, a testament to the power of pure, unadulterated comedic genius.
The Good
The Good: Shirley, you can’t be serious? A hospital what is it? I think you’re the greatest, but my dad says you don’t work hard enough on defense. No, thank you, I take it black, like my men. You can’t take a guess for another two hours? Joey, have you ever been in a… in a Turkish prison? How about this leaflet, “Famous Jewish Sports Legends?” Shanna, they bought their tickets, they knew what they were getting into. I say, let ‘em crash.
Ladies and gentlemen, this is your stewardess speaking… We regret any inconvenience the sudden cabin movement might have caused, this is due to periodic air pockets we encountered, there’s no reason to become alarmed, and we hope you enjoy the rest of your flight… By the way, is there anyone on board who knows how to fly a plane?
You know the artists that they are Zucker, Abrahams and Zucker would tape the audiences at a test screening and then play the tape back in the editing room and cut anything that did not get a laugh. That is how you have such a focused comedy.
The Bad
The Bad: Outside of the first Naked Gun movie and TV series Zucker, Abrahams and Zucker never reached these heights again. I liked Top Secret, but it is not as focused or as funny as “Airplane!”.
Compared to their copycats though, Zucker, Abrahams and Zucker belong on some sort of comedy Mount Rushmore. Note to modern filmmakers, referencing something is not in itself funny. You need to write a joke.
The Ugly
The Ugly: Elmer Bernstein was told to make the score “not good”. Make it sound like a B-movie score. However, the Airplane score is my second favorite soundtrack from the Eighties. I used to listen to it all the time on Spotify.
Why don’t I anymore? Because it has been AWOL over the last few years. By the way, my favorite score from the eighties is Conan the Barbarian by Basil Poledouris, which has also been AWOL on Spotify over the last few years.
Spotify has the soundtracks to The Happening and The Emoji Movie but not these two titans?
In Conclusion
In Conclusion: Alright, cats and kittens, lemme lay some righteous truth on ya. “Airplane!”? Man, that flick is the absolute, stone-cold, solid-gold, number-one, top-of-the-pops, king-of-the-hill, daddy-o of all comedy pictures ever to hit the silver screen! It’s the real McCoy, the bee’s knees, the cat’s pajamas! You dig? Like, seriously, it sends me into orbit every time. It’s my all-time, hands-down, no-foolin’, jive-talkin’ favorite!
Alas, her version of Respect was overlooked by the academy, who went with Michael Gore for Fame. (though Dolly Parton should have won for 9 to 5).
To find where it flows to the sea.
And I saw I was looking at me.
And what it all means in the end.
And they told me again and again.
Gonna have the whole world on a plate!
Starting here, starting now
Honey, everything’s coming up roses!
