Blue Thunder- The Complete Series Blu-ray Review
A forgettable 80s action TV series.
Based on the 1983 cult movie, “Blue Thunder” was a short-lived 1984 action series that lasted 11 episodes. The series revolves around the titular high-tech helicopter which is overseen by the Blue Thunder Unit commanded by Captain Braddock. The L.A. based team is comprised of cop/pilot Frank Chaney and the pilot/computer wiz Clinton Wonderlove (AKA JAFO). Aiding them on the ground (AKA the Rolling Thunder team) are cops Bubba and Ski. Throughout the series, the Blue Thunder Unit goes after a rogue enemy pilot, murderers, a paramilitary outfit, weapon smugglers, a double agent, and an imprisoned thief. The group also engage in cases involving mobster documents, rescue missions, device delivery, stopping assassination attempts, and saving Braddock’s kidnapped daughter.
“Blue Thunder” was another series in a long line of action 80s shows. This one is essentially the 80s helicopter show. While the aerial action is intense and features plenty of exciting moments involving the copter shooting things or blowing things up, that’s really all the series has going for it. For the most part, this show is merely a footnote of 80s TV. The show feels like a cheap cash-in on the film’s success (it even re-uses footage from the film) and relies heavily on eye-rolling cliches like the recycled criminal threats and the hardass Captain and the star character (Frank) disobeying orders and clashing with the Captain. You also have the comedic relief with Bubba and Ski quarreling and Clinton being a goofball.
On the subject of the characters, this has to be one of the strangest casts ever assembled. You’ve got James Farentino as Frank, NFL players Bubba Smith and Dick Butkus as Bubba and Ski, and a pre-”Saturday Night Live” Dana Carvey as Clinton (who even engages in impressions like Jimmy Stewart). It’s as weird as it sounds and it feels like the names were all just selected randomly out of a hat. In typical TV fashion, there’s plenty of guest stars popping up like Richard Lynch, Geoffrey Lewis, Kurtwood Smith, Tracey Scoggins, Ray Wise, Ken Foree etc.
Video/Audio:
Presentation: 1.33:1 1080p. How does it look? This is an impressive restoration that offers up clean prints of the episodes.
Audio Track: 2.0 DTS-HD MA. How does it sound? The chopper action really soars on this 2.0 track.
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