Airplane II: The Sequel
Still haunted by that fateful wartime incident and the nearly catastrophic events of Airplane! (1980), Ted Striker, the pilot who hates flying, escapes from the funny house. But, as the first passenger lunar shuttle, the state-of-the-art but untested Mayflower One, is about to take off on its maiden flight, once more, an unforeseen malfunction forces Ted to take over the controls of the shuttle. Now, the traumatised commander is holding everyone's lives in his hands, and as if that weren't enough, Striker has to patch up his already complicated relationship with his engaged former lover, Elaine Dickinson, and confront an unhinged voyager bent on destruction. Can Ted Striker, the reluctant hero, save the day for the second time?
Working with a respectable budget of $15.0M, the film achieved a modest success with $27.2M in global revenue (+81% profit margin).
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Airplane II: The Sequel (1982) showcases carefully calibrated narrative architecture, characteristic of Ken Finkleman's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 11-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 25 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.0, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Ted Striker
Elaine Dickinson
Steve McCroskey
Buck Murdock
Simon Kurtz
The Computer (ROK)
Main Cast & Characters
Ted Striker
Played by Robert Hays
Traumatized pilot from the first film who must overcome his fears to save a lunar shuttle mission.
Elaine Dickinson
Played by Julie Hagerty
Ted's former girlfriend, now engaged to another man, working as crew on the lunar shuttle.
Steve McCroskey
Played by Lloyd Bridges
Air traffic controller dealing with the lunar shuttle crisis while managing his personal vices.
Buck Murdock
Played by William Shatner
Eccentric former test pilot who aids in the rescue mission with his unconventional approach.
Simon Kurtz
Played by Chad Everett
Antagonist businessman sabotaging the lunar shuttle for profit.
The Computer (ROK)
Played by Chuck Connors
Malfunctioning shuttle computer system with a mind of its own.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Ted Striker is institutionalized in a mental hospital after the events of the first film, traumatized and unable to function in normal life. This establishes his broken state before the new adventure begins.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 10 minutes when Ted learns that Elaine is aboard the lunar shuttle and heading into danger. Despite being institutionalized and considered incompetent, this news disrupts his passive state and creates urgent stakes.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
At 43 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat The shuttle's computer system fails catastrophically and the crew is incapacitated, leaving the ship hurtling toward the sun. What seemed like manageable problems become life-threatening. The stakes raise dramatically and the fun is over., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 64 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Ted's attempt to save the shuttle fails spectacularly and all seems lost. He faces his darkest moment of self-doubt, believing he's proven everyone right about his incompetence. Hope appears dead., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 68 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Ted executes a daring plan to save the shuttle, piloting it through impossible circumstances. He confronts the crisis with his regained confidence, wins back Elaine's trust, and successfully lands the shuttle on the moon, proving his redemption., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Airplane II: The Sequel's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 11 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping Airplane II: The Sequel against these established plot points, we can identify how Ken Finkleman utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Airplane II: The Sequel within the comedy genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Ted Striker is institutionalized in a mental hospital after the events of the first film, traumatized and unable to function in normal life. This establishes his broken state before the new adventure begins.
Theme
A character mentions that "sometimes you have to take a chance" and trust yourself again, establishing the theme of regaining confidence and proving oneself worthy of redemption.
Worldbuilding
We learn about the lunar shuttle mission, Elaine's engagement to Simon, the commercial space travel industry, and Ted's deteriorated mental state. The world of space tourism and Ted's broken relationship with Elaine are established.
Disruption
Ted learns that Elaine is aboard the lunar shuttle and heading into danger. Despite being institutionalized and considered incompetent, this news disrupts his passive state and creates urgent stakes.
Resistance
Ted debates whether he can act, escapes the mental institution, and struggles to convince others he's capable. He faces resistance from authorities and his own self-doubt while preparing to reach the shuttle.
Act II
ConfrontationPremise
The fun of space travel parody: zero gravity gags, computer malfunctions, passenger chaos, and Ted navigating life aboard the lunar shuttle while trying to prove himself capable and win back Elaine despite her engagement to Simon.
Midpoint
The shuttle's computer system fails catastrophically and the crew is incapacitated, leaving the ship hurtling toward the sun. What seemed like manageable problems become life-threatening. The stakes raise dramatically and the fun is over.
Opposition
Pressure intensifies as Ted must take control while doubting himself. Ground control provides conflicting advice, Simon undermines Ted, systems continue failing, and the shuttle approaches disaster. Ted's incompetence and trauma work against him.
Collapse
Ted's attempt to save the shuttle fails spectacularly and all seems lost. He faces his darkest moment of self-doubt, believing he's proven everyone right about his incompetence. Hope appears dead.
Crisis
Ted processes his failure and faces his deepest fears. He confronts whether he truly has what it takes or whether his trauma has permanently broken him. This is his dark night of the soul.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Ted executes a daring plan to save the shuttle, piloting it through impossible circumstances. He confronts the crisis with his regained confidence, wins back Elaine's trust, and successfully lands the shuttle on the moon, proving his redemption.