So, as I've said time and time again, I love comedy, in all forms, especially movies and TV. So, why not dedicate a whole month to the art of making people laugh? I know I've talked a lot about some very funny films (and Rat Race), but now I'm taking the whole month of June to talk entirely about comedy. It's a real passion of mine, so I'm going to do it justice as best I can. So enough with the introductions, let's get this show on the road.
And what better way to start June Jokefest than with a film often considered one of the funniest ever, Airplane! I'll admit, I was actually skeptical about this film before I saw it. It had this huge reputation, and I honestly doubted it could live up to my expectations. I mean, everyone calls it one of the funniest movies ever, so it was hard not to feel this way before I watched it. And then I actually sat down to watch Airplane!, and I have to admit, it didn't just live up to my expectations, it surpassed them.
It's hard to actually know what to say about this movie, not just because of it's fame, but because of how much focus is put on the insane amount of jokes it throws at you. I mean I could explain the plot, in which a war veteran has to fly a plane when most of the people aboard fall ill, but it's not a plot driven film, instead focusing on doing everything it can to get a laugh out of the audience. As I said, it's actually kind of difficult to talk about Airplane! in too much detail, because it's full of so many gags, and it's hard to discuss without spoiling the jokes, but I will say that the sheer variety of jokes in this movie is insane. Visual gags, puns, innuendo, wordplay, slapstick and all of the parody. All of it. The movie parodies... kind of everything, but it's mainly a spoof of films like Airport, and especially Zero Hour.
I think that Airplane! works so well as a parody because of it handles it's tone. The acting in this films is completely 100% serious, which works so well with how batshit crazy and stupid the script is. It's this combination of stern faced delivery which wouldn't be out of place in the films that Airplane! parodies, and the escalating absurdity of the jokes that just makes it work so well. Nothing is out of bounds here: the movie is ridiculous enough to do pretty much anything, and it works. The movie's utter stupidity becomes this unique style that rarely fails to get a laugh. Almost every joke hits the mark and very rarely do they fall flat. This film also nails it's running gags. Every time one is used, it never feels repetitive, and the writers always find a way to make it work.
It's not perfect though. Ignoring the simplicity (which I'm fine with, after all, it's not a plot driven film), there are aspects of Airplane! which don't really work for me. For instance, the two leads are so bland. Look, I know it's not the point of the film, but I don't remember anything about these two outside of their names. It's not like the other characters were exactly forgettable or anything either, Leslie Nielsen, Lloyd Bridges and Peter Graves are all great in their roles and really stand out to me, but I find it hard to get invested in the characters of Ted and Elaine. Don't get me wrong, they're well acted (by Robert Hays and Julie Hagerty) I guess, but the characters themselves are one dimensional and actually pretty boring. Again, it's not the point and it's all about the jokes, but still, I'd at least like to see them fleshed out a little more. Also, not every joke has aged too well. They're great for the most part, but some gags do show their age.
As it stands, Airplane! has earned it's legacy. Any problem I could find with the film doesn't change the fact that it's an outstanding piece of comedy, one that's endlessly creative in the sheer amount of gags it throws at you. I mean, it deserves it's reputation as one of the funniest movies, and while I wouldn't call it my favourite comedy (foreshadowing), it's still one I have a huge amount of respect for, one which I feel has made an indelible impact on comedic filmmaking as we know it, and one that everyone should see at some point in their lives. Look, it's not perfect, and I stand by my complaints, but the fact is, this film is hilarious, and that overshadows any flaws it has. If you haven't seen Airplane!, drop everything and do so now. There's a reason why it's as acclaimed as it is, and surely you'll enjoy it.
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