Top Gun
Rating – 2.5 or 3/4
*SPOILERS*
Goodness gracious, great balls of fire! We’re flying our F-14s with Tom Cruise, Anthony Edwards, Val Kilmer, and Kelly McGillis. It’s an Eighties classic full of action, romance, and memorable scenes. We’re on the highway to the danger zone now!
Top Gun follows Lieutenant Pete “Maverick” Mitchell (Cruise) and his co-pilot Nick “Goose” Bradshaw (Edwards). After being selected, the two are sent to the elite training school: Top Gun. Their goal: be the best pilot and be awarded the title of Top Gun. But Maverick must compete with the arrogant Ice Man (Kilmer) but also must contend with a beautiful instructor named Charlie (McGillis), who is definitely willing to give him some extra credit.
First, I’m going to acknowledge the impact this film has had and how much it’s been parodied and referenced throughout pop culture. For the record, one of my favorite parodies is Hot Shots. The dogfights and training scenes are badass, with the camera work putting you directly in the pilot’s seat. There’s the famous beach volleyball sequence where the actors show off their physiques. There’s the bar scene where the pilots sing “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling.” And then there are the romantic scenes between Maverick and Charlie. So sexy!
You almost get dizzy trying to keep up with all the action in all its Eighties cheesiness and glory!
Even the Navy used this movie in its recruiting campaign and enlistments shot up drastically.
What an impact indeed!
Then there’s the kickass soundtrack. Never underestimate the effect a good score has on a movie and how much it can set the tone. Kenny Loggins’s “Danger Zone” gives the feel of an adrenaline rush that anyone can take on the world, and Berlin’s “Take My Breath Away” sets the sexy and intimate mood for Maverick and Charlie. That Oscar was well-earned.
And let’s not forget the quotes as well!
“I feel the need for speed!”
“Goodness gracious, great balls of fire!”
“Time to buzz the tower!”
I can’t quote them all but they’re all memorable!
But sadly, there’s not really a plot and no stakes. It’s just awesome training montages and somewhat boring talking. With little development, I didn’t care about the characters and found their non-action scenes uninteresting. And while the action scenes are impressive, it can get repetitive, once you take a closer look. I would’ve liked somewhat of a plot or something to tie everything together. But it’s just one thing after another. And as the characters can be somewhat unlikable at times, it doesn’t make for the best character study.
Despite the pop culture impact, that won’t automatically make it a good movie.
I’ll admit my final rating for this movie is unique and I’m torn about my final score. I enjoyed it, but I also didn’t. The action scenes are fun and engaging but the character moments are not. But I also acknowledge that the film is a cultural icon and I definitely see why. I just feel that two-and-half-stars is appropriate but also a bit harsh. But three stars seems too generous. I guess sometimes I feel the need for speed, but also don’t feel like buzzing the tower.
But I cannot deny the impact this movie has had and I know it will fly forever. It’s full of memorable scenes and characters, and has a kickass soundtrack. It’s a prime example of an Eighties classic. But due to its flaws, sometimes I ask why it earned its wings in the first place, though I definitely can see why.
