"Top Gun" by Tony Scott: a review

Top Gun is one of those movies that you can watch over and over again. This film which came out in 1986 really captures the essence of the 80’s sense of excess, entitlement, and bravado. It is obvious that the US government felt that the script had some excellent recruiting potential, or they wouldn’t have allowed such free reign filming their fighter jets and aircraft carriers. This film has that sense of cocky one upsmanship that can be identified with any sports program or high school competition. Blend in the dream of flying high tech jets in a reckless way and a love story and you have one hell of a movie.

The movie starts off with the concept of rewarding cockiness when Lt Maverick is forced to confront an enemy Mig on an intercept mission who then outmaneuvers the Mig while flying inverted and snapping a Polaroid snapshot of the enemy fighter from above him. Rather than his commander stripping his wings and forcing him into the brig, he is sent to the top flight school in the country for hot shot pilots called Top Gun. It is at the academy that Maverick meets his top rival, Lt Tom Kazansky, who goes by the call sign Iceman, and his RIO Slider. Whereas Maverick represents all that is brash and outrageous, Iceman is known for his strict adherence to protocol even though the two are equally matched in skill.

Maverick finds that his forward advances on a young woman at the bar create a bit of awkward moment when he realizes that she is his lead instructor on the flight potential for his aircraft as a civilian expert is the same woman, Charlie. Maverick continues to push the limits after doing an extremely unsafe low version fly-by the control tower which lands him a strong reprimand by the commander. The movie takes a serious note when Maverick’s overbrazen attempts to take a shot and win the school competition results in his engines cutting out after cutting to close to Iceman’s backwash. During the flat spin, the two pilots eject but his best friend is killed when Goose slams into the canopy overhead. Maverick continues to be haunted by Goose’s death even to the point of breaking off and leaving Iceman during a potentially deadly air battle with enemy Migs.

This movie has an awesome combination of elements in fighter jets and action scenes that seemed to have a need for preexisting travel insurance. The filming is incredible and you really feel like you are part of the action. The juxtaposition of Maverick’s crazy behavior and brashness with the consequences of his actions leaves you with a valuable life lesson. This movie also has one of the most memorable soundtracks which add to the success of the movie.

The movie Top Gun came out in 1986 and was quickly a box office success. It starred Tom Cruise, Kelli McGillis, Val Kilmer and Tom Skerritt. Top Gun was produced by the great duo of Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer.

The movie was filmed in part aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise for authenticity and the film’s action scenes were acclaimed by many to be the best of its kind. The story line follows Tom Cruise’s character, Maverick, as he becomes a Naval Aviator. His character starts off being cocky and independent but he quickly learns that you need to work together to get things done.

Top Gun follows Maverick from the classroom out to the field as he takes to the skies in an F-14 Tom Cat. These are two seater planes and each pilot has to depend on the other for the safety and success of the mission. Maverick has to learn that he cannot make the decisions for everyone and he cannot leave his team. Leaving puts everyone in jeopardy.

One of the most memorable scenes in the movie takes place in a bar where Maverick and his buddies sing to a woman. The song “You’ve lost that loving feeling” made the movie soundtrack a great success. “Take My Breath Away” was another hit from the soundtrack that kept it at the #1 spot for over five weeks. The music was also incorporated into a Pepsi commercial.

Besides the music there is a quote from Top Gun that is still used today. It is “I feel the need – the need for speed”. You can still hear it being used today. Top Gun appeals to people of all ages. It has suspense, action, music and some humor.