Top Gun Review

MPAA Rating: PG
Released: 1986

Top Gun was a phenomenon when it was released in 1986, so much so that Naval recruitment spiked significantly after its release. Quite simply, this exciting flick made it appear cool to be a Naval fighter pilot; young men across the U.S. wanted to become the next "Maverick."

While Top Gun is often considered to be one of the 80's landmark films, it isn't good enough to be dubbed a true classic. Top Gun can easily be argued as an exercise in style over substance, but when a movie is this glitzy and fun… who cares?

Lt. Pete "Maverick" Mitchell (Tom Cruise) and his good-humored sidekick Lt. Nick "Goose" Bradshaw (Anthony Edwards) are two of the Navy's most skilled pilots. While their skill is nearly unrivaled, the twosome is known to be rebellious and reckless, so it is with some reservation that their commanding officer provides an honorable and rare opportunity to them: join the U.S. Navy Fighter Weapons School, dubbed Top Gun. Such an honor is only afforded to the top 1% of the Naval fighter pilots.

Once at the academy Maverick wastes no time making his presence known. Commander Mike "Viper" Metcalf (Tom Skerritt), the man responsible for overseeing the program, takes an instant liking to the young and brash pilot, but his second-in-command, Lt. Cmdr. Rick "Jester" Heatherly (Michael Ironside) holds deep reservations about the new recruit. This distrust is compounded by the fact that during an initial test Maverick was successfully able to "shoot down" Jester by performing an unorthodox and illegal aerial maneuver.

Maverick's greatest rival is the most recognized pilot of the new class, Lt. Tom "Iceman" Kazanski (Val Kilmer), so it quickly becomes Maverick's goal to take Iceman's place as the top dog. While the two have a grudging respect for each other, Iceman is unimpressed with Maverick's hotdogging style; Iceman is always tactically perfect and precise, whereas Maverick is the complete opposite: undisciplined and unpredictable.

During a training exercise a tragedy occurs when Maverick's fighter jet malfunctions and loses control. Although he escapes, his long-time friend and partner Goose is killed. For the first time in his career Maverick begins to doubt his own ability, and he must battle the ghosts of his past during one of worst times possible: a real life dogfight with Soviet aces.

Part of Top Gun's success came from its equal accessibility and appeal to both men and women. Men loved the slick, macho fighter pilots and their exciting aerial adventures while women swooned over the romance between Maverick and Charlotte "Charlie" Blackwood (Kelly McGillis), one of his beautiful civilian instructors.

The cast selection was nearly perfect with the blend of roguishly charming actors like Val Kilmer and Tom Cruise and tough guys like Michael Ironside and Tom Skerritt. In fact it's the chemistry that each of the stars possesses that made this film the success it was, for although the plot is serviceable it's hardly impressive or detailed.

From its very foundation Top Gun was crafted to be visually and audibly indulgent, offering sexy and cool stars, impressive displays of real aircraft and aerial maneuvers and one of the best 80's soundtracks available. The two most recognizable songs in the movie are Berlin's emotionally rich Take My Breath Away and Kenny Loggin's energetic Danger Zone.

While the sheer onslaught of 80's style and glamour shines through at every moment, clearly designating this landmark film a product of its decade, Top Gun still holds up well almost twenty years later. It's no surprise that even today's generations are falling in love with this exuberant movie.

Top Gun should be commended for bridging the sexual and age gaps by offering content that will appeal to both men and women, young and old.

Movie rating: 8 stars

If you enjoyed Top Gun you may also find the following films to be of interest:

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