MovieChat Forums > Airplane! (1980) Discussion > Expected it to be better.

Expected it to be better.

posted 9 years ago by Philip_90
8 replies | jump to latest

I didn't grow up watching this because it was 10 years before I was born so anyhow, since I read so many great things about "Airplane!" I thought I'd watch to see what's so good 'bout it.

Personally, I did not find the jokes to be very funny although I knew where they were of course, they just weren't that good like hitting the passengers all with the guitar, a whole crowd of people waiting their turn to hit that woman (Leslie Nielsen's part was somewhat comedic in this instance), talking over the microphone about their own issues, watermelon dropping by randomly (god forbid people see a watermelon they now assume it's 'racist', spear incoming, Ted telling strangers about his boring life, Elaine pretending to give the blow up doll a bj), some chick appearing topless for a few seconds, and then they'd go on to commit suicide. The few times that I chuckled at least were when Leslie Nielsen's character stepped in.

Also, the two black dudes speaking in criolo and then having subtitles was probably another joke to laugh but instead I just found it useful to have the subs 'cause I had no idea to what they were saying (that was obviously the point). The show Shameless also did something similar on Season 6 and I read that was intended to be 'funny' but people that don't speak that way felt differently.

There's more and more stuff besides all this so in the end, I didn't find it very appealing to my liking. However, for a parody movie it was really good so I can't deny that of course.

Anyway, I'm guessing some will call me "uptight" and that "you don't get the jokes" which I did but I just didn't find them funny because the delivery of the comedic scenes were very random and somewhat forced. Perhaps dated too.

[–] Minus_The_Beer 9 years ago

In my experience, comedies are rarely funny when you go into them expecting to be laughing for 90 minutes. Kind of sounds like you let the film's reputation mix with inflated expectations and as a result, the movie didn't live up to the hype.

Anyone here mentions Hotel California dies before the first line clears his lips.

[–] evrw92 8 years ago

It isnt "dated" I find it still as relevant as it ever has been yet I am actually younger than you OP. It is a specific style of comedy that is still produced today. Clearly it isn't the style you enjoy but blow jobs are blow jobs be it in 2000BC or AD so no it isnt dated in its jokes. Some jokes are of its period but many aren't.

[–] WyldeGoose 8 years ago

A lot of it is dated, even the nature of the film itself, as a parody of airline disaster films that were in vogue at the time, and a complete send-up scene-for-scene of the movie Zero Hour! When I watch this film with younger people, I often have to explain a lot of things to them, such as the Hari Krishnas, or when the lady thinks, "Jim never has a second cup of coffee at home," and such. Even if I don't, it's still pretty funny to them.

Interestingly, I've had to explain the "Whacking Material" gag early on in the film. Most younger people who have grown up with internet porn sometimes miss this. They're not laughing at Captain Oveur reaching for a "Modern Sperm" magazine.

[–] nickm2 8 years ago

ah the modern sperm gag...I had to explain that to my family in Greece a few times.

Why can't you wretched prey creatures understand that the Universe doesn't owe you anything!?

[–] WyldeGoose 8 years ago

When I used to work at a prominent book-store chain way back when, I used to post little signs that said "Whacking Material" on the adult magazine sections, and leave them there all day. It got quite a few laughs.

[–] bossat2822 8 years ago

I think it's always tough to watch an bygone comedy that many people praise for years. Like a poster said earlier, you heard so much your expectations were sKY high. Then factor in the decades old references and (some) stale jokes (air isreal). My movie for this was caddyshack. I was a teenager when it came out, but didn't watch until I was about 40. Big disappointment for me because of the buildup. Don't forget, today scenes are very short compared to movies 30 years ago. Do It Can Feel A Scene Is Taking FOREVER

[–] bing-57 8 years ago

Well, you are uptight. Comedies were different back then. It was fairly unique to simply parody modern culture. Nowadays you kids see people making fun of current culture all the time on the interwebs. So, when you see parody of 40 year old commercials and movies, it just doesn't impress you.

Personally, I see the current crop of parodies on SNL or Funny or Die and it all looks rushed and amateurish to me. The old stuff was clever and unique for the time.

[–] arbilab 8 years ago

That's exactly what they'll be expecting you to do.

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