DVD Reviews

Blue Thunder - Blu-ray Review

By Jeff Swindoll Aug 17, 2009, 14:51 GMT

Roy Scheider stars in this intense action thriller as a courageous police officer pilot battling government fanatics planning to misuse an experimental attack helicopter. Chosen to test "Blue Thunder", Frank Murphy (Scheider) is amazed by the high-speed, high-tech chopper. It can see through walls, record a whisper or level a city block. Distrusting the military mentality behind "Blue Thunder", Murphy and his partner Lymangood (Daniel Stern) soon discover that the ...more

If ever there was a title suited for Blu-ray it might be Blue Thunder (or is that Blu Thunder?). It flies onto high definition, but doesn’t offer anything more that what already appeared on the standard definition special edition. It’s a fun film that sucks me in every time.

Blue Thunder is about Los Angeles astro-division officer Frank Murphy (Roy Scheider). Frank’s a bit of a loose cannon and the constant thorn in the side of Capt. Jack Braddock (Warren Oates), that’s always the case in these type of cop buddy movies. This gives Oates the opportunity to summon Scheider to his office and yell at him a lot - which Oates does magnificently.

He’s just been assigned a new partner, Richard Lymangood (Daniel Stern). One night after viewing some nude yoga from their helicopter, definitely a perk of any patrol, they’re summoned as an eye in the sky to the apparent robbery of a city councilwoman.

They flew over this area earlier and Frank noticed a car without any license plates that’s now not at the scene and Frank is immediately suspicious. The astro-division is asked to help out with a government project. Frank and Capt. Braddock are asked to the test flight of the prototype assault helicopter nicknamed Blue Thunder.

The government project is overseen by the sinister Colonel Cochrane (Malcolm McDowell) who has a history with Frank. Frank and Lymangood take Blue Thunder out for some testing in Los Angeles’ airways and on the way back see Cochrane leaving and decide to follow him. They find out the real reason behind Blue Thunder and the reason for the assault of the councilwoman.

Frank then finds that he’s in possession of important information that Cochrane will kill to get back. So it’s up to Frank, who has stolen Blue Thunder, and his girlfriend (Candy Clark) to get the incriminating videotape to the television station and get the truth out, however, Cochrane is in hot pursuit.

I’ve seen Blue Thunder many times before and each time it’s on I’m always drawn into it. It’s a well-acted picture with Roy Scheider playing a flawed hero who has to overcome his own demons to uncover some political machinations by his archrival.

There are some fantastic aerial sequences as well, cumulating in an air battle between Scheider and McDowell. Candy Clark has some fun as Scheider’s girl on the ground and gets to race around Los Angeles. Warren Oates has a fabulous time and the blustery Captain and it’s a joy to watch him chew out Scheider.

Sadly, it would be his last film as he died not long after the film was released and it’s dedicated to him. At the time the film probably seemed more akin to science fiction, but much of what the Blue Thunder chopper does is now coming to pass. It’s a fun action flick with a wonderful set of performances.

Blue Thunder is presented in a 1080p high definition transfer (2.40:1). Special features include a commentary track featuring director John Badham, editor Frank Morriss, and motion control supervisor Hoyt Yeatman. The rest of the special features are presented in standard definition.

Next is the 8 minute “The Special: Building Blue Thunder” about the stunt copter. It’s followed by the 44 minute “Ride with the Angels: Making of Blue Thunder” which you can watch in its three sections or use the play all feature. There’s also an 8-minute 1983 featurette that has vintage interview footage.

Finally you get the 3-minute theatrical trailer and previews for other Sony products. The disc is also BD-Live enhanced.

Blue Thunder is a great little film. It’s enhanced by the actors and some fancy flying. Sadly now Roy Scheider has joined Warren Oates in the great beyond and it was a fun way to remember his career to see him fly once again.