Airplane! (1980), PG, 1 hr 28 min
Airplane!
Runtime: 88 minutes
Rating: PG
Studio: Paramount Pictures
Franchise: None
Franchise Position: N/A
Tagline: “From the creators of The Kentucky Fried Movie.”
Ratings
My Rating: 9/10
IMDb Rating: 7.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 97%
Metacritic: 72
Plot Summary
Airplane! is a classic spoof comedy that hilariously parodies disaster films, especially those about airplane crises. When the passengers and crew of a commercial flight fall ill due to food poisoning, a traumatized ex-fighter pilot named Ted Striker (Robert Hays) must overcome his fears to land the plane safely. Filled with absurd visual gags, rapid-fire jokes, and deadpan delivery, the film lampoons everything from melodramatic dialogue to slapstick physical comedy, all while delivering a surprisingly heartfelt story about courage and redemption.
Critics Review
Critics universally praise Airplane! as one of the greatest comedy films ever made, applauding its sharp wit, clever parody, and relentless barrage of jokes that rarely let up. The film’s absurd humor and perfect timing earned it a cult following and significant influence on future comedies. While some find the nonstop jokes overwhelming, most agree it revolutionized the parody genre with its innovative style and memorable lines. The film’s blend of slapstick, puns, and sight gags creates a uniquely hilarious experience that continues to entertain audiences decades later.
Christian Perspective
Airplane! contains mild language and some adult innuendo but is largely clean in terms of violence or explicit content. The film’s humor is irreverent and sometimes silly, but it avoids offensive material that would conflict deeply with Christian values. While its jokes often poke fun at authority figures and cultural norms, the tone is lighthearted rather than malicious. Christians may enjoy the film’s clever wordplay and its underlying themes of facing fears and doing one’s duty, though it is best viewed with discernment regarding some risqué humor.
Family Friendliness
Rated PG, Airplane! is generally suitable for older children and teens. The film contains some mild language and sexual innuendo, as well as slapstick violence played for laughs. Parents should note the occasional crude jokes and decide based on their child’s maturity. Its nonstop rapid-fire comedy and absurdity may appeal more to teenagers and adults who appreciate parody and satire. Overall, it is a relatively family-friendly comedy classic with a few moments requiring parental guidance.
Notable Scenes
The "Surely you can’t be serious" exchange between Ted Striker and Dr. Rumack.
The inflatable autopilot "Otto" taking over the plane.
The spoof of the cockpit crew dialogue with repetitive, literal responses.
The food poisoning scenes in the passengers’ meal.
The iconic “I am serious... and don’t call me Shirley.”
Notable Quotes
Dr. Rumack: “Surely you can’t be serious.”
Ted Striker: “I am serious... and don’t call me Shirley.”
Elaine Dickinson: “Looks like I picked the wrong week to quit smoking.”
Captain Oveur: “Joey, do you like movies about gladiators?”
Trivia
Airplane! was adapted from the 1957 film Zero Hour! and many lines were lifted directly.
The cast included many actors from the TV show Police Squad!, including Leslie Nielsen, who became a comedy star here.
The film was a massive box office success and helped establish the parody genre.
The screenplay was written by the Zucker brothers and Jim Abrahams, known for their fast-paced humor.
Goofs / Continuity Errors
Some aircraft instrumentation in the cockpit scenes is not realistic for the plane model depicted.
Occasionally background extras change positions between shots.
The inflatable autopilot “Otto” would not realistically function as shown.
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