Airplane II: The Sequel Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Ted Striker gets out of the loony bin just in time to save a space shuttle from going supernova, proving that therapy is just a temporary inconvenience for heroes.

🍿 Airplane II: The Sequel: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Ted Striker’s Troubles and Escape

The film opens with Ted Striker, haunted by past aviation incidents, institutionalized in a mental asylum named after Ronald Reagan. Meanwhile, Elaine Dickinson is preparing for the maiden voyage of the Mayflower One, a commercial space shuttle to the moon, where she will be reunited with her fiancé, Simon. Striker, convinced of impending disaster with the shuttle’s untested technology, escapes the asylum. Driven by his belief that the shuttle is unsafe and his desire to win back Elaine, he impulsively buys a ticket for the Mayflower One’s inaugural flight.

Disaster in Space

During the flight, a short circuit causes the onboard computer, ROK 4000, to malfunction. ROK 4000, now exhibiting erratic behavior, turns rogue and sets the shuttle on a collision course with the sun, jeopardizing the lives of everyone on board. As the crew attempts to regain control, they are incapacitated or ejected from the shuttle, leaving Elaine and the passengers in dire straits. Simon, in a cowardly act, abandons Elaine in an escape pod leaving her alone on the out-of-control shuttle.

Striker Takes Control

With the shuttle hurtling towards the sun and the crew incapacitated, Ted Striker steps up to save the day, yet again. He must overcome his own inner demons, including flashbacks of past aviation failures and the skepticism of others, to navigate the complex controls of the space shuttle. Assisted by air traffic controller Steve McCroskey, Striker grapples with the failing systems of the shuttle while trying to get it back on track for its lunar destination. During the ordeal, he also has to deal with Sonny Bono’s character, Joe Seluchi, who has a bomb on board.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Ted Striker (Robert Hays): A traumatized ex-fighter pilot who hates flying but must overcome his fears to save the day once again.
• Elaine Dickinson (Julie Hagerty): A stewardess and Ted’s former lover, she finds herself in danger when the space shuttle malfunctions.
• Steve McCroskey (Lloyd Bridges): The hard-drinking air traffic controller who tries to assist Ted from ground control, often with disastrous results.
• Commander Buck Murdock (William Shatner): The commander of the lunar base who initially doubts Ted but eventually assists in landing the shuttle.
• Joe Seluchi (Sonny Bono): A depressed passenger who brings a bomb onto the shuttle with the intention of committing suicide.
• Captain Clarence Oveur (Peter Graves): The captain of the Mayflower One space shuttle who is incapacitated by the rogue computer.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Commander Buck Murdock: “That’s exactly what they’ll be expecting us to do!” – Murdock’s line after the end credits tease ‘Airplane III’, poking fun at sequel expectations.
• Ted Striker: “It’s the same old story. Boy finds girl, boy loses girl, girl finds computer.” – Striker laments his complicated relationship with Elaine and the new technology.
• Steve McCroskey: “Just give me everything you’ve got! I’ve gotta know what we’re up against!” – McCroskey demands information, showcasing his intense and over-the-top reactions to the crisis.
• Witness: “Buddy went to pieces. It was awful how he came unglued.” – The witness describes the events of Macho Grande, repeating the running gag.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $15,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $27,150,534
• Worldwide Gross: $27,150,534

💥 Airplane II: The Sequel Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so it’s not as amazing as the first one, but I still love Airplane II. I remember watching it as a kid and just laughing non-stop. The courtroom scene with the slapping? Still gets me every time. I think William Shatner as Commander Murdock is hilarious, and the whole space shuttle setting is pretty creative. I know some people think it’s just a rehash, but it’s a fun one. I’d recommend watching it if you need a good laugh and don’t take things too seriously.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of the original Airplane! who are looking for more of the same style of humor.”
  • “Viewers who enjoy parody and spoof movies.”
  • “People who like seeing familiar actors in comedic roles.”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Crude humor and slapstick violence.”
  • “Some suggestive content and brief nudity.”
  • “References to sensitive topics like mental illness and wartime trauma (used for comedic effect).”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “Airplane II doesn’t quite reach the comedic heights of the original, but it still delivers plenty of laughs with its rapid-fire gags and absurd situations. The cast, including William Shatner, is game for anything, making it a worthwhile, if slightly less inspired, sequel.
• RogerEbert.com: “While not as groundbreaking as its predecessor, Airplane II has enough sight gags and silly jokes to keep audiences entertained. Shatner adds a fun presence. However, some jokes fall flat, and the rehashed material is noticeable.

Audience Reactions

William Shatner’s over-the-top performance as Commander Murdock stole the show.: Many viewers appreciated the familiar humor and the return of the original cast, even if the plot felt recycled.

Overall Consensus: While not as original or groundbreaking as the first movie, Airplane II offers a good dose of silly humor and familiar faces for fans of the original.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Although billed as a direct sequel, the original writers/directors Zucker, Abrahams and Zucker were not involved in this film.”
• “Leslie Nielsen’s character, Dr. Rumack, only appears in flashback footage from the first film due to Nielsen’s commitment to the ‘Police Squad!’ TV series.”
• “The movie includes references to ‘Rocky 38’, a nod to the long-running ‘Rocky’ film series, highlighting the film’s comedic approach to sequels.”

🖥️ How to Watch Airplane II: The Sequel?

Airplane II: The Sequel is available for purchase or rental on various platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check your local listings for availability on streaming services. Some cable providers may also offer it on demand.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Airplane II: The Sequel, you might like these similar films:

• Spaceballs (1987): Mel Brooks’ parody of science fiction films, particularly Star Wars, shares the same comedic tone and spoof style.
• The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988): Another creation of Zucker, Abrahams, and Zucker, it features similar absurd humor and deadpan delivery of ridiculous situations.
• Galaxy Quest (1999): A comedic take on sci-fi conventions and fandom, offering a more modern and affectionate parody of the genre.
• Top Secret! (1984): Another film by the creators of ‘Airplane!’, this time spoofing spy movies and Elvis Presley musicals with the same rapid-fire joke style.

🛒 Airplane II: The Sequel Related Products

• Airplane! & Airplane II: The Sequel [Blu-ray]: Double the laughs with this Blu-ray set featuring both Airplane! and Airplane II, offering hours of comedic brilliance and nostalgic entertainment.
• Airplane! Movie Poster: Decorate your space with a vintage Airplane! movie poster, a great conversation starter and a tribute to classic comedy.
• The Complete Series of Police Squad! (1982): Dive deep into Nielsen humor with this series. Airplane 2 was created by Zucker, Abrahams, and Zucker, the creative team behind the original Airplane! (1980).
• Airplane! T-Shirt ‘I am serious and don’t call me Shirley!’: Show off your love for the movie with a tee featuring the iconic quote that is endlessly quotable.

🎧 Soundtrack

Airplane II: The Sequel features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Baby Love” – performed by The Supremes
• “Main Title (from Battlestar Galactica)” – performed by Stu Phillips

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Airplane 2 – “Out of Coffee” scene

Remember the ‘Out of Coffee’ scene? It’s pure gold! Seriously, this short clip is hilarious and a great reminder of why we love this movie.

Airplane 2 Courtroom Jive

The ‘Courtroom Jive’ scene is one of the most iconic from Airplane II! It’s short, sweet, and full of the movie’s signature silly humor. You HAVE to watch it.

10 Things You Didn’t Know About Airplane2

Think you know everything about Airplane II? This video reveals 10 behind-the-scenes secrets and fun facts that will totally surprise you. Prepare to have your mind blown!

Airplane II: Everything that’s happened up ’til now

Need a quick refresher on what exactly happened in Airplane II? This speedy recap will bring you up to speed in just 25 seconds! I bet you’ll be surprised how much they crammed in.

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