A Disappointing Continuation

I enjoyed watching this film and would recommend other to give it a try , (as I am) but this movie, although enjoyable to watch due to the better than average acting fails to add anything new to its storyline that is all too familiar to these types of movies.

It's funny, it's tense, it features two great performances from two actors and the director expertly creates a web of odd tension where you actually don't know what is happening for the majority of the run time.

The thing I enjoyed most about the film is the fact that it doesn't shy away from being a super-sized-cliche;

'Flying High II' - or as it is better known, 'Airplane II: The Sequel' - this follow-up feature takes place in the near future and this time involves disaster on a plane trip to the moon. While the destination differs, this sequel has been quite rightly described as "more of the same", a characteristic which has its pluses and minuses. On the positive side, returning co-stars Roberts Hays and Julie Hagerty do equally well with the deadpan humour on hand, and the gag ratio is just as high here with some of the funniest moments left to the backdrop (a poster for 'Rocky 38' with an aged Stallone; two foreigners spitting their drinks when they overhear Hays mention a bomb). On the less positive side, several gags are copied directly from the first film without variation, which results in less spontaneity, especially when it comes to overly familiar lines like an emphatic "you can tell me". Science fiction (as opposed to disaster films) are, however, the lampoon target here and the futuristic setting allows for greater creativity, especially in terms of sets and costumes. The '2001: A Space Odyssey'/HAL parody is simply excellent and its fun to see William Shatner essentially spoofing his own 'Star Trek' persona. Yes, this sequel may not be as fresh and original as its predecessor, but it is very decent of its sort - even if the film was made without the blessing of the original movie's writer-directors.

1982's Airplane II: The Sequel is an amusing follow-up to the 1980 classic that, though funny, is not as consistent as the first film and I think it has a lot to due with the fact that the Zucker brothers, the creators of the first film, had nothing to do with this one.Writer/director Ken Finkelman has mounted a similar story, set in the future aboard a computer-operated space shuttle that is making its maiden voyage to the sun, while our hero, Ted Striker (Robert Hays) is on trial for his sanity after what happened in the first film. Elaine Dickinson (Julie Hagerty) is now the computer technician for the space flight and is engaged to marry Simon (Chad Everett), the pilot for the shuttle. As expected, circumstances once again find Striker at the controls of the space shuttle as the shuttle's computer goes haywire , not to mention the presence of a psycho(Sonny Bono) on board with a bomb.Finkelman's film does provide laughs but they are not original at all....everything he does here story wise is either lifted from the first film or from other films, giving the proceedings a pervading "been there done that" atmosphere, but I cannot deny that there are laughs here.The chemistry between Hays and Hagerty is still strong and Everett's stone-faced persona perfectly suits his character. Peter Graves returns again as Captain Oveur, as does Lloyd Bridges as Steve McCroskey. Show biz veterans like Raymond Burr, Rip Torn, John Dehner, and William Shatner also score in supporting roles. The film is funny, but is only a pale imitation of the first film.

Although not quite as good as Airplane!, Airplane II is almost just as funny as the first film. Lots of odd-ball jokes and sight gags in the sequel. Ted and Elaine will do what they can to keep their passengers on the space shuttle safe but a computer error send them off their course and straight for the sun - can Ted get the shuttle back on the right course to the moon? Of course he can but not without a few more jokes and gags to help him and the audience along.If you liked Airplane! then you are sure to enjoy Airplane II The Sequel - it really is almost as funny as the first film.Recommended similar humored comedy movies: "Mars Attack!", "Galaxy Quest", "Spaceballs", and "Men in Black".9/10

This is the sequel to David and Jerry Zucker's "Airplane!," written and directed by Ken Finkleman. Instead of jet liner, a space shuttle is featured. It is booked with passengers and sent to space on a first ever voyage, and also on board are the stars from the previous film: Ted Striker (Robert Hays), Elaine (Julie Hagerty) and Captain Oveur (Peter Graves). While at first a smooth ride, a faulty computer causes the shuttle to head straight for the Sun.Probably not as popular or as funny as the first movie, but jokes, absurd humor and slapstick comedy are still in abundance. Again, the actors' calm and witty demeanor shy away from the over-the-top and childish funniness you usually find in nonsensical comedies. Like the first film, the occasional off-the-wall events would pop up from time to time, for example, barking suitcases, time bombs for sale, waltzing in space, etc). I also love how the Jive guy explains to the judge Striker's heroic deeds from the first movie, and Murdock's (William Shatner) commanding but space-less demeanor as he tries to send commands to the space shuttle from the space station.Overall, this is a great comedy that will keep you entertained and hooting.Grade A-