Airplane! Blu-ray Review

"Airplane!" lands on Blu-ray with a transfer that, while offering strong visual elements, showcases both strengths and minor flaws typical of older film restorations. Presented in 1080p AVC/MPEG-4, the 1.78:1 and 1.85:1 aspect ratios provide a variable viewing experience. The transfer maintains a fine layer of grain, enhancing the film's authentic texture without overusing noise reduction, ensuring that skin textures, clothing materials, and minor details like the strings in effects shots remain visible. Clarity is strong, though the graininess is notably more pronounced during flashback sequences, consistent with the old optical effects used at the time.

Colours on this Blu-ray are robust, if not overly vibrant, with primary hues standing out naturally against a backdrop of secondary tones like browns and soft yellows. Contrast tends to be consistent, preserving good visibility of background elements and maintaining healthy blacks, although there are occasional lapses where black levels lose some depth. The image integrity ensures skin tones appear warm and natural, though there is an overall sense of the film's low-budget origins, which could have been slightly enhanced with more vigorous restoration efforts.

Despite its age, "Airplane!" boasts a surprisingly clean and satisfactory high-definition image with minimal dirt and scratches visible. Paramount has delivered a solid transfer that respects the film's original texture and classic comedic charm, providing audiences with a mostly pristine viewing experience on modern displays. While not reaching the precision of new releases, this Blu-ray edition offers a faithful representation that should satisfy both new viewers and long-time fans of this 1980s comedy classic.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack for "Airplane!" provides a solid auditory experience that emphasizes dialogue clarity and musical elements. The mix predominantly positions the sound towards the front and center to ensure the comedic dialogue is crisp and clear. Elmer Bernstein’s catchy 'B Movie' style score is delivered prominently through the main stereo pair, ensuring that it stands out without overwhelming other elements. While there are limited surround sound moments, such as the engaging airport tannoy announcements and general ambiance, these are tastefully spread to the rears without drawing undue attention.

The dynamic range is detailed, capturing the broad spectrum of audio without sacrificing dialogue reproduction, which remains superb and perfectly audible throughout. Notably, the Disco sequence with "Stayin' Alive" stretches the front half of the soundstage to its limits, resonating with energy and clarity. However, occasional sound effects, such as the plane crash into the terminal, exhibit a harsher texture lacking full clarity and impact. The low-end frequencies, while present, are used mildly, adding subtle depth to interior aircraft scenes without overpowering the overall mix.

Overall, this DTS-HD MA 5.1 track is a notable upgrade that balances humorous dialogue and musical cues with finesse. It might not utilize the surround channels to their full potential for ambient noise, but it succeeds in creating an immersive yet unobtrusive soundscape that lets every joke and gag shine. Paramount delivers a quality soundtrack that preserves the integrity of the original elements while enhancing them for the modern listener.

The Blu-ray extras for "Airplane!" are comprehensive and highly engaging, offering fans a deep dive into the classic comedy's production. The Audio Commentary features Producer Jon Davison and Writers/Directors Jim Abrahams, Jerry Zucker, and David Zucker, delivering an informative and amusing track filled with anecdotes about the film's creation, on-set experiences, and insights into casting, including Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. The Long Haul Version provides a unique interactive experience with pop-up icons leading to deleted scenes, interviews, and comparisons to "Zero Hour," though its fragmented nature might be distracting. The Trivia Track adds another layer of fun by highlighting production insights and on-set mistakes. Lastly, the Theatrical Trailer showcases how the film was originally marketed to audiences.

Extras included in this disc:

• Group Commentary: Lively discussion with anecdotes on film production and a humorous take.
• Long Haul Version: Includes deleted scenes, interviews, and a comparison to "Zero Hour".
• Trivia Track: Pop-up trivia that complements the film with insights and production details.
• Theatrical Trailer: Original theatrical preview in HD.

"Airplane!", the 1980s comedy classic directed by the Zucker-Abrahams-Zucker trio, comes to Blu-ray with a mixed, yet generally solid, transfer. Delivered in a 1080p AVC/MPEG-4 format with a 1.78:1 aspect ratio, the film exhibits variable quality throughout. Notably, the transfer struggles with maintaining high-definition clarity, and film grain appears more pronounced during optical scene transitions derived from the source print. However, despite these minor issues, the colors are vibrant and the contrast remains consistent. The audio is well-handled through a DTS-HD MA 5.1 surround track, which ensures dialogue is crisp and clear while Elmer Bernstein’s score shines through effectively in the front stereo channels. Bonus materials enrich the overall package, featuring entertaining commentary from the filmmakers, a 'Long Haul' version with interview clips, a trivia track, and the theatrical trailer.

The plot of "Airplane!" is playfully simplistic, revolving around the story of Ted Striker (Robert Hays), an ex-combat pilot with PTSD, who must land a plane full of food-poisoned passengers and crew. However, the narrative takes a backseat to its relentless comedic onslaught. Packed with sight gags and one-liners that parody 1970s and early 1980s air travel disaster films, "Airplane!" keeps viewers laughing from start to finish. The film’s effectiveness stems from its spirited performances by Leslie Nielsen, Peter Graves, Robert Stack, Julie Hagerty, and others. Its humor bridges visual gags with verbal wit seamlessly — exemplified by the iconic "Don't call me Shirley" line. Despite some jokes feeling dated to contemporary audiences, the timeless absurdity and deadpan delivery ensure laughter.

Airplane’s brilliance lies in its deconstruction of genre conventions, poking fun at disaster movies with what appears to be effortless ease. Featuring exemplary comic timing from a stellar ensemble cast, notably Leslie Nielsen as Dr. Rumack, and Peter Graves delivering memorably offbeat lines to young Joey, the film remains a comedic juggernaut. Watching "Airplane!" today underscores its role as a pioneering spoof film that paved the way for many that followed. It remains essential viewing for comedy enthusiasts seeking smartly crafted humor interwoven with slapstick and satire.

Airplane!," widely regarded as one of the funniest movies ever made, remains a comedy classic with its unrelenting rapid-fire humor and absurdly delightful plot. The timeless gags, unforgettable dialogue, and zany characters provide a belly full of laughs that have stood the test of time. Although some jokes have waned into hearty chuckles over the years, the film's influence on the genre and its pioneering use of satirical humor are undeniable. This 1980 box-office smash solidified Zucker-Abrahams-Zucker (ZAZ) satire, making it a staple in comedic cinema.

Paramount's Blu-ray release offers a significant upgrade in both audio and video quality, ensuring that the vibrant, memorable visuals and the understated but effective soundtrack are enjoyed in much clearer detail. The presentation features solid video quality and an all-around strong lossless audio mix, which translates to an engaging viewing experience. While the supplementary materials have not been upgraded from previous DVD editions, they remain a worthwhile addition for fans.

In conclusion, "Airplane!" on Blu-ray is an excellent package boasting a brilliant film, superior audiovisual enhancements, and a fair collection of extras. Its ability to provide endless laughter makes it a must-own for any comedy enthusiast’s collection. Highly recommended for those seeking both nostalgia and high-definition hilarity.