Airplane goes for the funny bone

The movie "Airplane" is a laugh-out-loud, hysterically funny movie. I give it two arms up, way up. This movie doesn't have a political message or pull at the heartstrings or make you reflect on personal issues. Not in the least! It's simply one of those movies you watch for the pure entertainment value because sometimes it's nice to just laugh your head off. That is what you get with "Airplane." If you've ever watched airplane disaster movies, then you'll appreciate this spoof even more. Written and directed by Jerry and David Zucker and Jim Abrahams, "Airplane" stars several serious actors: Lloyd Bridges, Robert Stack, Leslie Nielsen and Peter Graves. When you hear those names, you think drama, not comedy. Well this talented writing and directing team was brilliant to cast these men as the fall guys or the "butt of many jokes," as it were. That's what makes this movie work. The plot revolves around a young fighter pilot named Ted Striker who's lost his girl and lost his nerve to fly jets. He's a passenger aboard a domestic flight whose crew is stricken ill from food poisoning. Also on board is Striker's former girlfriend who's a flight attendant. It is up to Striker to overcome his fear and land the plane safely. It doesn't take a genius to figure out if Striker succeeds and gets the girl. Several cameo appearances include basketball legend Kareem Abdhul-Jabbar and Barbara Billingsley, the mother from "Leave it to Beaver" who plays a passenger who speaks "jive." You have to see it to believe it. So check out "Airplane" for a great time and prepare to be entertained.