Review of Blue Thunder (1983) by Jake D — 29 Aug 2008

Scheider plays a police officer assigned the duty of piloting a helicopter sporting groundbreaking technology. However all is not as it seems as Scheider's worldweary policeman cottons on to a sinister scheme regarding the motives of the chopper, naturally Malcolm McDowell portrays the ringleader behind the conspiracy.

The helicopter concept and the possibilities it presents is interesting but inevitably in this sort of action flick, silliness seeps in and cliches fall into place including one which involves Scheider's character having served in the war, cue haunting flashbacks.

Typically 80's style camerawork and lighthearted exchanges between Scheider (once again proving his reliability as a leading man) and Daniel Stern's young cop keep things moving though and the aerial 'shoot em up' at the end is exciting if commonplace in this sort of film.