Pop Culture Movies and More: Airplane! (1980)

Drowning his sorrows after THAT botched mission during WWII, the traumatised former fighter pilot with a fear of flying, Ted Striker, still hasn't gotten over his old flame and flight attendant, Elaine Dickinson. Determined to win her back, Ted boards a domestic flight from Los Angeles to Chicago, only to come face-to-face with a severe case of in-flight food poisoning that is threatening everyone's lives. Now, with most of the passengers and the entire cockpit crew down with the food-borne illness, Striker has no other choice but to confront his inner demons and take over the control of the ungovernable aircraft with the help of a gruff air-traffic controller and his former commander. Can Ted land the plane and save them all? This has to be one of the funniest movies ever made and is a cult classic like no other within the film industry. I adore this film for its unbelievable writing that pumps out joke after joke in so many different variations from verbal to visual antics. Thanks to the success of this movie it led to many more fabulously funny parody films like the Hot Shots films, Police Squad! (TV Series 1982), Naked Gun series and Top Secret! (1984). Each one follows the same impressive comedic formula that will have you laughing for hours on end. With multiple visual gags, quick quips and references to other films/franchises, this film is certain to keep you laughing from start to finish (especially with a great after-credit scene). It does require you to look closely at what is going on because if you aren't paying attention you could miss one of those background jokes. There are more references than you can shake a fist at but to name some there are references to Jaws (1975), Saturday Night Fever (1977) and The Wizard of Oz (1939). All the actors did a phenomenal job bringing the comedic film to life through their delivery and expressions. It must have been so difficult to film without breaking out laughing. I know I would have! Even the background characters get some laughs out of us. Besides the brilliant visual moments, some of the dialogue is just so hilarious and iconic, quite unlike any other comedy out there. People will end up using a well-known saying or line associated with their role but end up taking it very literally like, for example, some photographers say they are gonna take some pictures and then proceed to take framed paintings off of the wall. My favourite characters are Ted Striker and Dr Rumack who have some of the best comedic scenes and whenever on screen I know I'm in for a treat. Of course, my favourite line in the whole film has to be the interaction between the two characters during a scene where Ted finds out he is the only possible hope for flying the pilotless plane: Rumack: 'Can you fly this plane, and land it?' Ted Striker: 'Surely you can't be serious.' Rumack: 'I am serious... and don't call me Shirley.' My favourite scene might have to be when one of the passengers begins to panic and different people try taking turns to calm her down, telling her to get a hold of herself. As they do so, everyone starts just slapping her, whilst queueing up to take their turn. As each person takes a turn, we see people holding all kinds of weapons, from baseball bats to even guns as they take their turn. It's just pure comedy gold. This film will forever stand the test of time as one of the best comedy movies ever conceived. Overall, this has to be one of the best products to come out of the 80s. It's unbelievably comedic and a magnificent parody movie to ever be produced, and thanks to all the creators/directors listed below for making this film as well as the many following. This is a must-check out for fans of comedy films as it is sure to have you laughing non-stop and reciting all the best lines. It pushed the boundaries of the normal comedic flick and redefined the spoof genre. Also, if you are a big 80s fan like myself, then this is one you cannot miss out on and don't forget to check out the follow-up film: Airplane II: The Sequel (1982).