Airplane II: The Sequel (1982)

A faulty computer causes a passenger space shuttle to head straight for the Sun. Can Ted Striker save the day and get the shuttle back on track - again?

Director:

Ken Finkleman

Writer:

Ken Finkleman

Stars:

Robert Hays, Julie Hagerty, Lloyd Bridges

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Lloyd Bridges	...	Steve McCroskey
Raymond Burr	...	The Judge
Chuck Connors	...	The Sarge
Rip Torn	...	Bud Kruger
John Dehner	...	The Commissioner
Chad Everett	...	Simon Kurtz
Peter Graves	...	Captain Clarence Oveur
Julie Hagerty	...	Elaine Dickinson
Robert Hays	...	Ted Striker
Kent McCord	...	Unger
James A. Watson Jr.	...	Dunn
William Shatner	...	Commander Buck Murdock
Stephen Stucker	...	Jacobs / Courtroom Clerk
John Vernon	...	Dr. Stone
Al White	...	Witness

Storyline

Years have passed since Ted Striker heroically saved many lives by avoiding a plane crash. Working as a test pilot for a new Lunar Shuttle, he gets innocently sent into a mental ward after a crash of the badly constructed, computer-navigated spaceship. When he hears that the exactly same type of shuttle is scheduled for a moon flight soon, he breaks out to hinder the launch. Aboard, Ted finds his ex-ex Elaine Dickinson working as stewardess again and her fiancé Simon, a member of the committee that wants the Mayflower I to be launched. In flight, the ship's computer ROK 9000 takes control, killing the crew. Ted and Elaine manage to switch it off, and now it is up to Ted again to save the passengers' lives - if there only wouldn't be these flashbacks to the war and these people who know Ted and have no faith in his abilities at all.

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Plot Keywords:

hare krishna | repeat sequel | time bomb | crazy humor | parody | 

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Taglines:

Just when you thought it safe to go back into the departure lounge.

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Genres:

Comedy | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 December 1982 (USA)

Also Known As:

Flying High II

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$15,000,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$27,150,534

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures,Howard W. Koch Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

85 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The truck that Ted Striker leaps out of to get into the skyport is named "Ken's Trucking" and has a Canadian maple leaf on it. This is an inside joke since "Ken" is writer-director Ken Finkleman who is from Canada, hence the Maple Leaf.

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Goofs

Right after they blow the computer, Ted tells Elaine she'd better check the readout. When she gets up, the back of her shirt is untucked. A moment later, when she is standing at the engineer's station, the back of her shirt is tucked in.

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Quotes

Striker: Where am I going to get a piece of metal?... Out here in space?... At this hour?

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Crazy Credits

After the ending credits roll off the screen, a commercial comes up that says "Coming from Paramount Pictures: Airplane III". Then William Shatner, as Buck Murdock, comes on and says "That's exactly what they'll be expecting us to do!"

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Alternate Versions

The original US home video version contains a myriad of music alterations and deletions, so much so that only two of nine pieces of music were retained. All nine have been kept on the DVD. Here's a brief list of the alterations.

• The "Battlestar Galactica" theme played during opening titles and scroll has been replaced with generic music.
• The air traffic controller playing DJ gag (at six minutes into the movie) originally featured him announcing "Baby Love" by The Supremes. On the original home video, they looped his voice to announce "Moon River" and generic music is played instead.
• Different music during end credits.
• The scrolling end credits were retyped up so as to remove all of the song credits from the music that was edited out or replaced.

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Connections

Featured in Atop the Fourth Wall: Youngblood #4/Star Trek III: The Search for Spock #1 (2012)

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Soundtracks

Theme from 'Mission: Impossible'
Written by Lalo Schifrin

User Reviews

I know that it was silly, but for some reason I enjoyed it

Now, I know that this was the same thing and same jokes as the very first Airplane. But for some reason, I think because I was just in such a good mood that day, I really did enjoy this funny sequel. True, despite it being set in the future, they used the same characters, and you could totally tell that it was still set in the 80's, it was still a fun movie to watch. The only thing I really missed was Leslie Neilson.

I know this also has a lower rating than the original, but I think everyone just needs to have fun with it. Yes, it was an unnecessary sequel, but it still had a few good laughs you have to admit. They brought back all the jokes we loved, and yes, it's unoriginal, but at least it's what makes the movie work. So, I know as silly as it may sound, I think you'll get a kick out of Airplane II: The Sequel. Like I said, just have fun with it!

7/10