#Film #Comedy #Sweary #Review #Airplane-Film

Airplane!

Ah, "Airplane!"—that gloriously ridiculous fucking masterpiece of a comedy film from 1980, directed by the Zucker brothers and Jim Abrahams. This flick is a parody of the disaster film genre, particularly the 1957 Paramount film "Zero Hour!" and it takes the piss out of every disaster movie trope you can think of, turning them into something absurdly hilarious.

Let’s set the fucking scene here: the plot revolves around an ex-fighter pilot, Ted Striker, who’s haunted by a traumatic war incident. The poor bastard is afraid of flying but still boards a commercial flight in an attempt to win back his stewardess girlfriend, Elaine. As luck—or in this case, comedic scripting—would have it, the crew and a bunch of passengers get sick from food poisoning, leaving the plane in jeopardy. Cue Ted’s white-knuckle attempt to land the plane with the help of a blow-up autopilot and a control tower crew that might as well be from a circus.

The humor in this flick is dryer than a nun’s nasty, relying heavily on wordplay, visual gags, and slapstick. It's filled with one-liners that stick like gum on a shoe—“Surely you can’t be serious?” “I am serious… and don't call me Shirley.” It’s a line so iconic, it’s basically the Chekhov’s gun of comedy at this point.

The fact that the film uses actors known for serious roles, like Leslie Nielsen, Robert Stack, and Lloyd Bridges, adds another layer of comedic gold. They play it straight-faced, which makes the absurdity of their lines hit even harder.

What makes “Airplane!” stand out isn't just its relentless onslaught of gags but its fearless approach to comedy. It throws every conceivable joke at the wall to see what sticks, not giving a single fuck if it's too ridiculous or lowbrow. And guess what? Most of it does stick, because the timing and delivery are spot-on.

In terms of cultural impact, the bloody thing is a landmark in American cinema, influencing not just other parody films but how humor is approached in film as a whole. Its legacy is a testament to how a well-executed joke can transcend decades and still slap a smile on your face like you’re a newbie.

If you haven't seen it, you're missing a critical piece of comedic education. So, stop dicking around and go watch it. It's an absolute clusterfuck of chaos and hilarity, and a damn good example of how to turn a simple concept into a comedy classic.

Other Film Reviews

Other Airplane

Zero Hour!