Top Gun (1986) Review

Top Gun (1986)

Top Gun follows Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, who, after getting into the prestigious Top Gun with his partner Goose, shoots to be the best pilot in the class while also trying to win the heart of his instructor, Charlotte. 

Though landing some early success in films like The Outsiders, Risky Business, and Legend, it was Top Gun that would finally put Tom Cruise on the map for good and cemented his status as an action movie star for many years to come. A lot can (and has) been said about this film’s accuracy but let’s be real, at it’s very core, Top Gun was made to look cool, sound cool, and define cool, despite also being a glorified 2 hour recruiting tool for the Navy. And there’s nothing quite as cool as planes going supersonic speeds, dogfighting, and the inevitable rivalries that will occur up in the air, especially for a cocky hotshot like Maverick.

The film is also a perfect representation of the world, or at least America, at the time, with it’s blatant jingoistic, Reagan-esque war porn ideas meant to instill a form of nationalism and pride in one’s country that go hand in hand with the revitalization of the dogfighting techniques taught in the movie. And obviously in a time before CGI, the aerial photography here is just awesome, capturing the speed and power of the F-14 Tomcat in all of it’s glory in what is also some truly terrific stunt flying for the time. 

We get a top notch cast as well, starring Rick Rossovich, Meg Ryan, Michael Ironside, Tom Skerritt, Val Kilmer, Anthony Edwards, Kelly McGillis, and Tom Cruise. Though it’s usually hit or miss, Cruise is undeniably charismatic and cocky and a true treat to watch here, particularly in his chemistry with Edwards and Kilmer, who really act in justifying his cockiness in a likable and fun way. 

Top Gun, directed by Tony Scott, is the Reagan 80s personified, bringing to life dogfighting like we’ve never seen before through a tale of brotherhood, rivalry, and love, where sometimes, you need someone willing to bend the rules. 

8.5/10