PiraBit if their story seems completely bonkers, almost like a feverish work of fiction, you ain't heard nothing yet.

Lollivan It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

Joanna Mccarty Amazing worth wacthing. So good. Biased but well made with many good points.

Billie Morin This movie feels like it was made purely to piss off people who want good shows

verbusen Memories, I would have been 19 at the time in Southern Cal, and in the Navy. Dating a hot chick who had a Firebird like Rockford had (except it was yellow), I watched this film and was so blown away I decided to go back and take her that time (lol). I was still blown away. The ending is just awesome when Scheider takes on the jets, just the most awesome thing ever, really. Also, this film reinforced my love for McDowell, he is perfect here and my second favorite role he played (first being Clockwork Orange of course). Stern is also really good here in a uncharacteristic good guy role. But Scheider is the main man here, he was on the crest of his fame, I had watched him in Jaws and also in Marathon Man, here he was the main man, (outside of the helo). Does it hold up well now to a contemporary viewer? Maybe not a 10 but it should at least rate a 8, great early 80's action film.

waynewass427 I was 18 when Blue Thunder came out in 1983...and 30 years later, I still enjoy this film.Granted, some of the story is over-the-top and unrealistic. But that is what you would expect for such a film - even if a remake were made today.Roy Scheider turned out to be perfectly cast as the lead role. Malcolm McDowell was also perfect as the arrogant "foil" / former Vietnam foe of Roy Scheider. Warren Oates (who died before filming was completed) was a riot as Scheider's boss. And Daniel Stern was also very enjoyable as Scheider's newbie "Observer".Naturally, the high-tech 'copter was the main reason people watched the movie, and it doesn't disappoint. The soundtrack enhances the film's entertainment experience...especially during suspense and action sequences. Unlike too many films today, where the soundtrack is always played (and often drowns out the dialog), I truly find the music adds to the overall enjoyment, and have even ordered the Blue Thunder soundtrack CD.The reason I give this film only a 6 / 10 rating is some of the overly ridiculous action scenes involving the helicopter vs. Air Force fighter jets. The copter wouldn't stand a chance against heat-seeking air-to-air missiles...let alone be able to shoot the wing off of an F-16 at a great distance with a Gatling Gun.

Woodyanders Scrappy and traumatized, yet still sharp and capable Vietnam veteran and ace helicopter pilot Frank Murphy (an excellent performance by Roy Scheider) is assigned to try out a new hi-tech helicopter called Blue Thunder. When Murphy discovers that said chopper is going to be as a weapon by a group of nefarious folks led by his sinister old-time nemesis Colonel F.E. Cochrane (Malcolm McDowell in splendidly smug, cocky, and utterly slimy form), he decides to go public with the information. Director John Badham, working from a totally preposterous, but witty and engrossing script by Dan O'Bannon and Don Jacoby, relates the captivating plot at a constant brisk pace, builds a good deal of tension, stages the action set pieces with real rip-roaring aplomb (the climactic cat and mouse helicopter showdown between Murphy and Cochrane completely smokes), and tops everything off with an amusing line in sharp sarcastic humor (favorite line: "When you're walkin' on eggs, don't hop"). This film further benefits from sturdy acting from a bang-up cast: Scheider effortlessly carries the picture with his natural charisma and makes for a totally likable hero (this movie earns extra points for not depicting a 'Nam vet as one of your standard crazed bloodthirsty psychos), Daniel Stern provides funny and engaging comic relief as Murphy's goofball partner Richard Lymangood, Candy Clark contributes an appealing turn as Murphy's sweet girlfriend Kate, and the always fantastic Warren Oates almost steals the whole show in one of his very last roles as Murphy's crusty no-nonsense superior Captain Jack Braddock. Veteran bad guy thespian Anthony James pops up in one of his standard nasty villain parts. Arthur B. Rubinstein's robust and rousing score hits the stirring spot. John A. Alonzo's slick widescreen cinematography gives the picture a nifty bright gleaming look; the nighttime sequences in particular are gorgeously shot and impressive. Moreover, we even have a still relevant and provocative central message about how advanced technology makes it easier for Big Brother to invade one's privacy and how said advanced technology isn't always designed with the general public's best interests in mind. Granted, this film isn't exactly credible (a protracted automobile chase sequence with Kate outracing a bunch of cop cars is simply ridiculous, but nevertheless quite thrilling and entertaining), but it's overall a highly enjoyable affair just the same.

Paul Andrews Blue Thunder is set in Los Angeles where Officer Frank Murphy (Roy Scheider) works as a helicopter pilot, while out one night flying the police chopper he witnesses a shoot-out between some thugs & a politician named Diane McNeely (Robin Braxton) in which McNeely is shot & killed. Put down to an attempted rape Murphy isn't so sure, the US military draft Murphy into an experimental programme called THOR in which they have developed a hi-tech assault helicopter to police the skies & take appropriate force if necessary to prevent crime. While on surveillance Murphy collects evidence that implicates several high ranking military official's in a plot to cause trouble in Los Angeles so the helicopter nicknamed Blue Thunder could be used & it's worth & the monetary investment proved. No-one will believe Murphy so he steals Blue Thunder & uses it against it's creators to prevent a massacre...Directed by John Badham this semi futuristic action thriller is watchable enough in it's own right but while Blue Thunder is a good film it's not a great one in my opinion. The script can't quite decide if it wants to be a political thriller or a straight up lads action film & sort of lies somewhere between the two with ever really completely satisfying on either count. The thriller & standard Government conspiracy plot is too broad & besides having a few guy's in nice suits talk in sinister tones there's virtually no depth to that angle at all, the idea that they plan to ignite trouble through racial tension in Los Angeles so they can demonstrate how good their hi-tech helicopter is does seem to stretch credibility somewhat, why didn't the military just create Blue Thunder for like, you know, military purposes where it would have been perfectly suited? They risk exposing themselves far too often & seem far too open about their plans for my liking too. The action scenes are pretty good, the last half an hour in particular are full of helicopter chases, car chases & explosions but the thriller side of things bog the film down too much & it takes a while to get to the good stuff, at over 100 minutes long Blue Thunder the helicopter isn't even seen for the first half an hour for instance. There's a nice little moment as Murphy spies on a naked woman doing aerobics in the helicopter which raises issues about privacy & the jurisdiction the police have but it's a throwaway scene of little consequence overall. The rest of the plot elements are fairly standard action film clichés, there's the troubled maverick hero, the main villain who has a personal connection to the hero, the annoyed boss of said hero who shouts & swears a lot & not to mention the rookie mismatched partner.The Blue Thunder helicopter does look quite cool with it's sleek lines & gun & missile turrets, the actual helicopter used was a French made Gazelle with various bolt on parts. The action scenes are pretty good with helicopter chases including going under some bridges, a car chase & some explosions during the final thirty odd minutes. There's surprisingly very little violence with a tiny body count compared to most Hollywood action films, there's really is no on screen violence at all although there's a fair amount of profanity & some nudity. Apparently the first draft of the script was about a police helicopter pilot going mad & terrorising Los Angeles using his chopper, the studio men didn't like it though & made the main character a hero & Blue Thunder was born.This has good production values & is well made, the majority of the action scenes are real with a few model shots & a bit of rear projection & it still looks better than most modern CGI effect heavy films. The acting is good from a decent cast, Roy Scheider never really made it big as a star but he's good here, Malcolm McDowell is wasted although Warren Oates in his last film is great as the bad tempered police Captain.Blue Thunder is a decent enough action thriller that doesn't quite deliver in either regard but it's alright for what it is, the action scenes are good & the helicopter looks cool so 80's action fans should like it. Followed by the Blue Thunder (1984) TV series which ran for eleven episodes & surely this influenced the makers of Airwolf?