Blue Thunder
'Blue Thunder' is from a time when the world was obsessed with super high tech vehicles. In the 80's we had films and TV shows about super helicopters, cars and planes. Hell! We even had a TV show about a super advanced motorcycle! Street hawk anyone?
'Blue Thunder' is elevated not just by rotor blades but by some rather impressive film making and fine performances. Particularly from lead star Roy Scheider who was just coming off the success of Jaws and its inferior sequel. He once again plays the reluctant action hero with the charismatic swagger only the way he can. 'Blue Thunder' tells the story of ace Police chopper pilot Frank Murphy (Scheider) and a super advanced attack helicopter. When Frank and his partner JAFO played by a young Daniel Stern uncover sinister implications for the new vehicle all action breaks loose in a film that is better than it has any right to be. As aforementioned this movie is good due to some fantastic production values. There's a rousing score by Arthur B Rubinstein that lifts the onscreen action and the aerial dogfights are stellar. There's no CGI here! Just plain old stunt work and practical effects. Director John Badham gives the audience good perspective by putting us in the helicopter seat right beside Murphy. The climatic battle is rather spectacular for a movie of its time. Every scene looks authentic. I would imagine if this movie was made today the choppers would be computer generated and they would lose a little soul. Real helicopters were flown around real buildings in a real city. Because of this the film is all the more exciting and gives a sense of realism. Much like 'Top Gun' which followed some three years later.
'Blue Thunder' transfers on to Blu-ray and Digital media rather splendidly. Picture quality is sharp with minimal grain. I don't imagine mega money was spent on this films restoration but it still manages to look impressive. Some nighttime shots look a little muddy and muddled but for the most part this film has a crisp detailed image. Particularly during daytime scenes. Sound quality is decent too. I watched this film again with a Dolby Digital Plus mix and was mildly impressed. Surround sound effects are abundant. The opening scene sounds rather good but some rear effects sounded overly processed and fake as the film went on. LFE was marginally impactful but still commendable for a film of its age. Everything about this movie is better than it should be, it's aged rather well. If we compare to 'Top Gun' as mentioned, 'Blue Thunder' looks the fresher of the two in terms of image quality. I have no doubt that the Tom Cruise action vehicle will get a full blown restoration on 4K Blu-ray when its sequel arrives in theatres next year. But for now it is 'Blue Thunder' that looks the crisper of the two.
'Blue Thunder' is a forgotten gem from the early 80's and a movie worth watching for the late great Roy Scheider. If you happen to like helicopters then it's a double win.
'Blue Thunder' is from a time when the world was obsessed with super high tech vehicles. In the 80's we had films and TV shows about super helicopters, cars and planes. Hell! We even had a TV show about a super advanced motorcycle! Street hawk anyone?
'Blue Thunder' is elevated not just by rotor blades but by some rather impressive film making and fine performances. Particularly from lead star Roy Scheider who was just coming off the success of Jaws and its inferior sequel. He once again plays the reluctant action hero with the charismatic swagger only the way he can. 'Blue Thunder' tells the story of ace Police chopper pilot Frank Murphy (Scheider) and a super advanced attack helicopter. When Frank and his partner JAFO played by a young Daniel Stern uncover sinister implications for the new vehicle all action breaks loose in a film that is better than it has any right to be. As aforementioned this movie is good due to some fantastic production values. There's a rousing score by Arthur B Rubinstein that lifts the onscreen action and the aerial dogfights are stellar. There's no CGI here! Just plain old stunt work and practical effects. Director John Badham gives the audience good perspective by putting us in the helicopter seat right beside Murphy. The climatic battle is rather spectacular for a movie of its time. Every scene looks authentic. I would imagine if this movie was made today the choppers would be computer generated and they would lose a little soul. Real helicopters were flown around real buildings in a real city. Because of this the film is all the more exciting and gives a sense of realism. Much like 'Top Gun' which followed some three years later.
'Blue Thunder' transfers on to Blu-ray and Digital media rather splendidly. Picture quality is sharp with minimal grain. I don't imagine mega money was spent on this films restoration but it still manages to look impressive. Some nighttime shots look a little muddy and muddled but for the most part this film has a crisp detailed image. Particularly during daytime scenes. Sound quality is decent too. I watched this film again with a Dolby Digital Plus mix and was mildly impressed. Surround sound effects are abundant. The opening scene sounds rather good but some rear effects sounded overly processed and fake as the film went on. LFE was marginally impactful but still commendable for a film of its age. Everything about this movie is better than it should be, it's aged rather well. If we compare to 'Top Gun' as mentioned, 'Blue Thunder' looks the fresher of the two in terms of image quality. I have no doubt that the Tom Cruise action vehicle will get a full blown restoration on 4K Blu-ray when its sequel arrives in theatres next year. But for now it is 'Blue Thunder' that looks the crisper of the two.
'Blue Thunder' is a forgotten gem from the early 80's and a movie worth watching for the late great Roy Scheider. If you happen to like helicopters then it's a double win.