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Airplane! is a comedy film from 1980 directed by Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, and Jerry Zucker, starring Robert Hays, Julie Hagerty, and Leslie Nielsen, among others. The movie follows the misadventures of a group of passengers aboard a commercial airplane from Los Angeles to Chicago. The plot centers on Ted Striker (Hays), a traumatized former military pilot, who must overcome his fear of flying to save the lives of the passengers and crew who are in danger due to a severe illness afflicting the solo pilot (Nielsen).

The opening scenes of Airplane! present us with typical elements of disaster movies of the 70s, such as a jarring soundtrack and dramatic camera angles, but the illusion is quickly undermined by the comic interruptions and absurd situations. The film undermines the conventions of the genre by using their own clichés against them, presenting them in a mocking and subversive way. The soundtrack features a mixture of suspenseful music and pop songs, and the characters frequently break the fourth wall to comment on their own absurdity or to reference popular culture.

The humor in Airplane! ranges from witty dialogue to visual gags, sight gags, and slapstick. The absurdity of the situations is exaggerated and escalated, creating a sense of chaos and unpredictability. The movie constantly changes tone, from melodrama to satire to parody to self-referential humor, keeping the audience on their toes. The way in which the humor is delivered sometimes feels like a series of sketch-like scenes rather than a traditional, linear narrative. The jokes come fast and fierce, with no shortage of puns, wordplay, and visual references to other movies and TV shows.

The characters in Airplane! are caricatures of familiar archetypes, such as the stoic pilot, the nervous passenger, the self-centered stewardess, the quirky air traffic controller, and the strict doctor. However, these stereotypes are subverted by the exaggerated performances and absurd situations they find themselves in. The cast includes veteran actors like Leslie Nielsen, Robert Stack, and Peter Graves, who play their roles as straight-faced as possible, adding to the humor of the script. The lead actors, Julie Hagerty and Robert Hays, have great comedic chemistry and deliver their lines with impeccable timing, making even the most ridiculous jokes land.

Throughout the movie, there are various pop culture references, including Saturday Night Fever, Jaws, The Love Boat, Taxi, and many more. The film is also known for its memorable one-liners and catchphrases, such as "Surely you can't be serious" and "Don't call me Shirley," which have become fan favorites in the decades since the movie's release.

Despite its slapstick and seemingly juvenile humor, Airplane! manages to insert social commentary into its jokes. Many of the jokes are satirical of cultural norms and social mores of the time. For example, the stewardesses are portrayed as being vapid and primarily concerned with their looks, the passengers are seen as selfish and uncaring, and the male passengers are given center stage for their sexist behaviors. However, the movie also addresses topics such as racism and classism, which continues to be relevant today.

In conclusion, Airplane! is a classic comedy that has stood the test of time. Its unique style, irreverent humor, and pop culture references have led it to become a fan favorite, and it remains a beloved movie among audiences of all ages. The movie's ability to turn familiar disaster movie tropes on their head and the comedic performances from a talented cast all contribute to its cult status. With its mix of slapstick and satire, Airplane! continues to be a notable example of the substantial power that comedy can have in shaping cultural commentary.

Airplane! is a 1980 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 27 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.7 and a MetaScore of 78.