Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Binding: VHS Tape
EAN: 9786303589107
Format: Closed-captioned
ISBN: 6303589103
Label: Sony Pictures
Languages: Array
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: Sony Pictures
Release Date: 1995-05-15
Running Time: 109
Studio: Sony Pictures
Theatrical Release Date: 1983-05-13

"Suspense in a void" is how critic Pauline Kael described this action-packed hit from 1983. In other words, this is one of those flashy, superbly crafted high-tech thrillers in which the star is a machine, while intelligent plotting and human characters are a lesser priority. The machine in question is Blue Thunder--a heavily armored prototype helicopter that is secretly being tested for use in a devious government conspiracy. Roy Scheider plays the police pilot who catches on to the nefarious plot and takes to the skies against an evil army colonel (Malcolm McDowell) who will defend his coconspirators at any cost. Director John Badham was a hot property in the early '80s (he directed WarGames the same year), and Blue Thunder served as the popular model for many formulaic action thrillers to follow. That doesn't make it a great movie, but with a fine cast (including Daniel Stern in a memorable supporting role) and a dazzling aerial chase among big-city skyscrapers, Blue Thunder qualifies as slick entertainment. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Rating:
Summary: Another Scheider hit !!
Comment: I am a big Roy Scheider fan and next to Jaws this may be his best movie.
Chopper movies are always great and original along the cover up/conspiracy
storyline it makes one entertaining movie.
Loved watching Roy in his Trans Am !!

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Customer Rating:
Summary: A good helicopter movie
Comment: This is a great movie, especially if you are a sci-fi fan, and a helicopter fan. It has quite a bit of action, and high drama.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Little known movie
Comment: I do not even remember when I saw this movie for the first time. I do know that outside of Jaws and All that Jazz, this is one of Roy Scheider's best movies. I am not a movie critic, I just know what I like. This has plenty of action and a good plot to it. Also it is one of the first movies in which I saw Daniel Stern.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: R.I.P. Roy Scheider - Long Live Blue Thunder
Comment: Roy Scheider passed away on February 10, 2008. He was an actor who's presence always added greatly to any production. This is certainly the case with Blue Thunder, which would have had less of an impact without his performance.

The 80's were a great time for big "B-MOVIES". Blue Thunder plays like an episode of the A-Team or Knight Rider on steroids. If you like your action films with an 80's "escapist" style, then Blue Thunder will deliver the goods.

Those who are put off by nudity or strong language may be surprised by some of the content. So be warned if you have only seen the edited TV version.

If you enjoy this film, seek out the short lived TV series, also available on DVD. The character of Frank Murphy (Scheider) is replaced by Frank Chaney (James Farentino). The Character of Richard Lymangood (Daniel Stern) was changed to Clinton Wonderlove (Dana Carvey, in an early starring role).

Make sure you get this "special edition" and not the older DVD version. Lots of good special features!

JM

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Special Aircraft
Comment: This helicopter is able to listen outsife a building, show a video of people. That is very special.

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