Blue Thunder

1983

Action / Crime / Drama / Sci-Fi / Thriller

33
Rotten Tomatoes Critics - Certified Fresh 79% · 24 reviews
Rotten Tomatoes Audience - Spilled 53% · 5K ratings
IMDb Rating 6.4/10 10 25112 25.1K

Director

John Badham Photo
John Badham

Top cast

Norman Alexander Gibbs Photo
Norman Alexander Gibbs as Man in Beanie
John Badham Photo
John Badham as TV Director
Anthony James Photo
Anthony James as Grundelius
Jack Murdock Photo
Jack Murdock as Kress
720p.BLU 1080p.BLU
1003.04 MB
1280*534
English 2.0
NR
Subtitles us  
23.976 fps
1 hr 49 min
Seeds 8
2.01 GB
1920*800
English 5.1
NR
Subtitles us  
23.976 fps
1 hr 49 min
Seeds 30

Movie Reviews

Reviewed by snoozejonc 7 / 10

Disengage brain and enjoy

A Vietnam vet police helicopter pilot is asked to test a new state-of-the-art helicopter.If you appreciate Blue Thunder for its action sequences, 80s technology and a decent hit of LA nostalgia there is no reason not to enjoy it.The plot is a passable excuse to get Roy Schneider and Daniel Stern into the titular chopper doing all kinds of mischievous things and there is plenty of amusement to be taken from this. Imagine a couple of teenage boys let loose with hi-tech surveillance kit in a vehicle that can hover anywhere, seemingly undetected, and that's the mentality on display.Most of the characters and the dynamics between them are hugely clichéd and not really explored in much depth or with any particular interest to me.The plot does get vaguely engaging when the main conspiracy starts to unfold. There is one foot chase sequence involving someone bound and gagged that works very well.All the downtown LA set aerial sequences that carry the movie to its conclusion are very well made, with production values and practical effects that hold up to the modern era. The flight stunts and use of model aircraft are blended seamlessly so that virtually everything feels real, apart from the final stunt, which has been built up so much during the movie that you somehow accept it as something that has to happen.Schneider has no real acting challenges, but his presence is enough to engage anyone who is a fan of his work. Stern compliments him well in their scenes together. Warren Oates, Malcolm McDowell and supporting cast are all solid.It's a 6.5/10 for me but I round upwards.
Reviewed by grahamsj3 6 / 10

Pretty decent but slow middle

Reviewed by ma-cortes 6 / 10

Escapist and thrilling story about dazzling aerial pursuits among Los Angeles skyscrapers

Tense and suspenseful aerial action film with an exciting final chase starred by superbly crafted high-tech helicopters and F16 on the L.A. skies among its big city skyscrapers . Frank Murphy (Roy Scheider) is a Vietnam vet and police pilot who forms a helicopter surveillance team along with his younger partner (Daniel Stern) , when they spontaneously catch a secret conversation . Booth of them discover the strange project Thor (Thunder Helicopter Offensive respond ) in which are implicated powerful authorities . Then they take to the skies against a nasty army colonel (Malcolm McDowell) who will defend his accomplices at whatever cost.Gripping , original action movie that deal with Roy Scheider trying to find the means avoid a video disk to be taken by corrupt government agents . Acceptable thriller full of intrigue and tense, this is a fast-paced , stylized action-suspense film. The tension of this picture keeps snowballing as ever close for ending . Casting is frankly magnificent, Roy Scheider as tormented Vietnam vet , Malcolm MacDowell takes honors as a psychopath who attempts to turn the tables on the protagonist before he can inform the police. Plus, a good secondary cast, such as Daniel Stern , Candy Clark, Warren Oates , Joe Santos and usual baddie of the 80s Anthony James , among others . But the real star is ¨Blue Thunder ¨ a heavily armored prototype , an Apache helicopter-alike which is secretly being proved for use in a nefarious government conspiracy . The slick screenplay written by recently deceased Alien's Dan O'Bannon . Adequate musical score accompanying the action by Arthur B. Rubinstein and inventively photographed by classic cameraman John A. Alonzo . The motion picture is professionally directed by John Badham . He's a nice director who achieved his greatest success in the 80s . He directed several hits ( Saturday night fever , Short circuit, Blue thunder, Drop zone, War games,Skateout ) , though today making TV movies( Jack Bull, Floating away ) and television episodes ( Crossing Jordan, Psych, Las Vegas, Standoff , Heroes ). Blue Thunder was followed by a successful TV series also starred by the ultra-sophisticated helicopter with James Farentino and Dana Carvey.
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