Top Gun (1986)

Top Gun (1986)

Even though 1986’s Top Gun received mixed reviews from critics upon release, it is one of those feel-good movies that is fun, fun, and even more fun. Imagine it is 2010 and you are in the midst of watching a Michael Bay movie. A movie with striking cinematography, expertly crafted action scenes, but middling human character development. Yeah, this film is one of the precursors to Bay-directed movies, but this film definitely works. Some people may complain about the film’s machismo or pro-military stance, but I always been told it is one of those required viewings for any male. It definitely was in my household. Even though the characters are middling and not fully developed, they are really memorable. After all, the film launched Tom Cruise’s Hollywood career. The action sequences, more specifically, the aerial dogfights are incredible. They are expertly shot, and it made you feel like you were a part of the action.

 

The film received its humble beginning from a magazine article in a 1983 edition of California, which was written by Ehud Yonay. His article went into detail about the life of fighter pilots on a Naval Air Base in San Diego. Producing partners Jerry Bruckheimer and Don Simpson were very interested in the content, which featured some outstanding aerial views. They hired Jim Cash and Jack Epps Jr. to write the first draft. They hired Tony Scott as the film’s director. Yes, that is Ridley’s younger brother. Scott impressed the producers with his commercial featuring a turbo racing a fighter jet. It is impressive that the producers made this big-budget film Scott’s first film. In terms of action, Scott definitely delivered.

 

Pete Mitchell codenamed “Maverick” (Tom Cruise) is a very talented pilot who is accepted in the nation’s top school, known as “Top Gun.” Maverick has to compete with the best of the very best in order to earn top honors. He meets a possible romantic partner in his astrophysics professor, Charlie (Kelly McGillis). Also, he meets his rival from the get-go, the intelligent and studious Iceman (Val Kilmer). Also dealing with the people associated with his school, he is also haunted by his father’s death and legend, which may or may not seem as heroic. Maverick wants to be the very best. Will he reach that status?

 

The film is at its best when the jets are in the air. But we cannot forget the film does have human characters. The screenplay does not give much time to develop the characters. The relationships with one another are paper thin. Do not get me started on the relationship between Maverick and Charlie. It was ludicrous. With all that said…I had a great time watching these characters because the performances are solid. Cruise has always been great playing the cocky womanizer and continues that sort of character here. Too bad he couldn’t show much chemistry with Kelly McGillis who previously exceled with Harrison Ford in 1985’s Witness. I did like the chemistry between Cruise and best friend, Goose (played by Anthony Edwards). Val Kilmer as Iceman makes a great antagonist for Cruise. I did like Tom Skerritt who played Viper, a father figure for Cruise.

 

The soundtrack! I really enjoyed it. Kenny Loggins contributed with his rendition of “Danger Zone”, a high-octane song! The song that won the Oscar was Berlin’s “Take My Breath Away.” That song introduced them to the music world and it really is a good song. Those two songs are some of the reasons why I enjoyed this movie. Alas, we cannot forget the scene where Maverick and Goose sings the Righteous Brothers.

 

Personally, I found Top Gun to be excellent entertainment. I know some people think the film is hot garbage because it does not have a credible script and the characters are poorly developed. But come on, there is an awesome volleyball scene! That has to count for something, right? Despite the characters, at least the performances were on point. The aerial sequences were something else. When the airplanes are in the air, that is when to keep your eyes peeled. The studio shelled thousands of dollars to use these planes so they made it worth the high bill. The movie was the highest grossing film of 1986. It gave people new reasons to be “cool.”

 

My Grade: B+