(May 1983, U.S.)
When I was in high school, I would have told you that BLUE THUNDER was one of my favorite thrillers. Twenty-seven years later, I am likely to tell you the same thing. I have always enjoyed thrillers that feature helicopters and helicopter chases. This film features one of the most high-tech machines you're ever likely to see on film. And when you have Roy Scheider as the hero, you can't go wrong.
Scheider plays Frank Murphy, an LAPD helicopter pilot officer. He's selected to pilot the world's most advanced helicopter prototype, nicknamed "Blue Thunder," which is essentially a military-style combat helicopter intended for police use in surveillance, large-scale civic disobedience and terrorist situations. With powerful armament, stealth technology that allows it to fly virtually undetected, and other accoutrements (such as infrared scanners, powerful microphones and cameras, and a U-Matic VCR), Blue Thunder appears to be a formidable tool in the war on crime. But like anything else that sounds like it might be too good to be true, there are flaws that also involve human corruption and criminal intent. Their are those who intend to use Blue Thunder to carry out an evil mission of their own that involves the secret elimination of political undesirables. At the head of this involvement lies Malcom McDowell, in one of his best roles since A CLOCKWORK ORANGE.
Then, of course, there is the spectacular helicopter chase, battle and showdown over the city of Los Angeles; a feast for the eyes and the senses that greatly surpasses an air battle that Clint Eastwood had tried to pull off (unsuccessfully) a year before with FIREFOX (1982) . In the end, by achieving a spectacular 360° loop (primarily through use of Blue Thunder's turbine boost function and extremely painful effort on his own part), Frank Murphy shoots down his enemy. He then destroys Blue Thunder by landing it in front of an approaching freight train, having deemed the tactical helicopter too dangerous to be used by anyone else. You go, Murphy!
I still miss Roy Scheider!
Favorite line or dialogue:
Jack Braddock: "I've been trying to get you all night. Why don't you answer your fucking beeper?"
Frank Murphy: "I just wanna tell you, Jack, that the next time I'm suspended, so is my FUCKING BEEPER!"
I was just thinking about this movie and I realized what a difference a few decades can make! If this was made today, the the hero would be the Malcolm McDowell character, fighting the terrorists and, instead of being a creepy old droog, the hero(ine) would be some cute little redhead!
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