Top Gun (1986): A Review

Maverick (Tom Cruise), Peter Mitchell, and Goose, Nicholas Bradshaw (Anthony Edwards), are one of the best flight teams in the Navy. They are ordered to make sure a couple of Mig fighters leave their territory but after the mission is complete, his wing man Cougar (John Stockwell) is so rattled that he's unable to land. Maverick aborts his own landing and helps Cougar make his way to the landing deck of their ship. Maverick may be a loose cannon, but he is still asked to go to a specialized flight school for top pilots. As soon as the duo arrives, Maverick forms a rivalry with fellow pilot Iceman (Val Kilmer). During their first assignment, Maverick is successful in "taking down" an instructor named Jester (Michael Ironside) but he flies below the hard deck, breaking a serious safety rule. He even buzzes the flight tower, making disciplinary action a guarantee. Viper (Michael Metcalf) threatens to expel the arrogant pilot unless he changes his ways.

This film is most definitely one of the best films of the 1980's. It may be corny and cheesy, but it's made of all the great 80's stuff we have learned to love. I know that the film is filled with Naval inaccuracies, for instance the Mig's are actually F-5's, but that's okay too. This film was not made to be accurate, it was made to entertain. This film cemented Tom Cruise's career as a macho hero type. The cast does a pretty good job, by today's standards, and they make the film as believable as possible. Some may say that the film was made simply to propagandize a career in the Navy. That may have been the government's agenda for backing the film and helping supply jet's, but I feel this only helped the film. Top Gun is an action packed film with all the comedy needed to make it an entertainment treasure. If you have grown up in a cave and haven't seen this one yet, it's an absolute must see. I give it an 8/10. Who wouldn't love a film where best friends have a special high five reserved for sand volleyball games?