Airplane! The Summary and Analysis!

The 1980 disaster spoof Airplane! is the story of Ted Striker, a former military aviator, and flight attendant Elaine Dickinson, his ex-girlfriend. She has lost respect for Ted, who suffers both fear of flying and a “drinking problem,” which leaves him shaky and unable to get liquids in his mouth, as result of his inability to handle the post-traumatic stress of his squadron being shot down in an unidentified war. How they met and fell in love is discovered in flashback scenes that parody Saturday Night Fever, From Here to Eternity, and other films. In effort to reconcile with the departing Elaine, anxious Ted reluctantly boards her flight. The in-flight meal of fish causes the flight crew to fall ill, so Elaine is left to fly the plane, with radio support from the bumbling and wisecracking ground crew. She is instructed to turn on the inflatable autopilot doll but needs to find someone that can land the plane. A confused doctor finally convinces Ted to overcome his fears and successfully land the airplane, thereby winning Elaine’s love. In the hilarious Airplane!, abundant use of sight gags, rapid-fire jokes, clever references, and funny wordplay effectively steer the plot. Sophomoric and cheesy humor is a big part of its enduring charm and influenced a wave of parodies. Fans of the Police Academy or Scary Movie film series, or any of Mel Brooks’ work, would enjoy this fast-paced, pun-filled movie. Despite the lighthearted vibe of the motion picture, it manages to feel claustrophobic and tension-filled, a result of close-up camera work, brisk scene editing, mock-serious dialog, and deliberate over-acting. Addressing the audience (breaking the fourth wall), and the shots of the obviously fake plane flying through the lightning storm are examples of the picture’s endearing cheesiness that appeals to one’s adolescent sense of humor. Airplane! makes a fun mockery of itself, as well as other movies, through its use of sarcasm and sharp wit. The engaging plot never lags, and the gratifying Hollywood ending seems conclusive but leaves one anticipating the inevitable sequel. This silly, yet highly recommended comedy flick stands up to its years and comes endorsed by critics and fans alike.