Read our original Blu-ray review from 2012
For a full breakdown of this 40th Anniversary celebration of Airplane! - check out our review for Airplane!: 40th Anniversary SteelBook
Vital Disc Stats: The Blu-ray
Why celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Airplane! with one new release when you could have two? In addition to the SteelBook option, Paramount Pictures added Airplane! to their prestige Paramount Presents label. Both discs are exactly the same. This time the disc is housed in a clear plastic case with cardboard slipcover that opens to reveal the film's original theatrical poster artwork. Spine number for this release is 7. The disc loads to a static image main menu with traditional navigation options.
From the 40th Anniversary SteelBook Review
"Reportedly coming a very recent 4K remaster of the original elements, this fresh transfer may not show a night-and-day difference over its predecessor. But this HD presentation nonetheless offers a notable improvement in contrast and brightness balance, boasting brighter, crisper whites and better visibility within the hottest spots. Likewise, black levels are inkier and silkier without sacrificing the finer details in the darkest, blackest sections and shadows, providing the 1.85:1 image with a lovely cinematic appeal and depth. The earth-tone palette is also a tad more vibrant and full-bodied, making all the browns and yellows seem more spirited and full of pep while primaries, especially reds, look richer and more animated."
(Video Rating: 82/100)
Disaster crashes into home theaters with the same DTS-HD MA 5.1 soundtrack enjoyed on its previous Blu-ray counterpart. For a more in-depth take on the audio quality, you can read our review HERE. (Audio Rating: 74/100)
From the 40th Anniversary SteelBook Review
Often mentioned as possibly the funniest movie ever made, Airplane! still delivers a barrel full of gut-busting laughs, but several jokes are starting to wane into hearty chuckles. The wild, zany spoof on disaster films transformed ZAZ comedy (Zucker-Abrahams-Zucker) into a brand of satirical humor, one which can clearly be seen in many movies today. Arriving day and date as the 40th Anniversary SteelBook Blu-ray is this release as a part of the Paramount Presents line. This disc is identical in everyway to that release so it comes down to packaging preference. If you're not numerically bound to organizing your home video collection - the SteelBook may be the better package as it comes with a digital copy. Consider all options - but this release is Recommended.
