Movie Review: Top Gun

 Hey everyone, my name is Anthony and welcome back to my movie review.

For most movies back them, i always enjoy some films that are action theme like adventure, shoot'em up, sci-fi, combat and few others. But you know what other action theme that i also enjoy along with video game? Flight simulation and dogfight, its those kind that we like to have some action in the air or even testify the aerial skills, which is exactly we're going back to the 80's with everyone favorite film of flight simulation about decade before Mission Impossible.

"Top Gun" is an 1986 action drama that was directed by Tony Scott, produced by Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer, and written by Jim Cash and Jack Epps Jr.

This film's idea came from the article "Top Guns" in California Magazine in May of 1983 involving fighter pilots Naval Air Station Miramar, aka "Fightertown USA", located on San Diego, California, this got some much intention Simpsons and Bruckheimer that they wanted to make a movie based on the article, but they had a hard time to be approved due to numerous rejections from writers, until Cash and Epps jr. are accepted to do the story involving pilot students on "TOPGUN" in Miramar with the experience of F-14. After found out the different idea from the script, they eventually gave a shot, along with the help of US Navy.

By the time the film was released on May 16th 1986 with $15 Million of budget, the film had a mixed, some people are appreciated for the action flight simulation, and dogfight along with good actors and memorable music, but it got criticized the pacing, saying we went from action, but then it got boring when we're not in the flight that it just dragged on. But the box-office is more of positive side with $176 Million domestically to a worldwide total of $357.1 million. My father had a fond memory of this film, even though he might prefer the action rather than ground scenes, i've heard the name many times, as well as seen from AVGN's take of Top Gun on NES, which the game itself is nothing by a crash landing for how it tried, but i've never seen it until i managed it, since, as im writing this, we have a sequel on the corner coming out.

So, with all that said, is this movie has the need for speed, or is this film feels foolish and dangerous as Maverick?

Well, lets find out.

The Story

For a movie about pilots' training, its a nice story going through, for the most part.

The movie begins on a text about the origin about US Navy creating school training for fighter pilots back in 60's that was called "TOPGUN", fast forward to present time (though it takes place in the mid-80's), the movie begins with a bang where Naval aviator Pete Mitchell, aka Maverick and Intercept officer Nick Bradshaw, aka Goose are stationed in USS Enterprise (No, not the Star Trek, i mean the aircraft carrier.) with F-14A Tomcat, as they launched, along with Cougar and Merlin they witnessed two hostile bogeys (aka MiG-28 with F-5s), resulting to do the interception, though its more like lock-on at one bogey, but Cougar and Merlin got targeted, leaving Mav and Goose goes after the second out with "Watch the birdie" to let them fly away (Oh Mav and Cougar, kids these days.), however, when they're going back to landing Maverick notices Cougar is shaken, due not just he misses his wife, but rather he's gonna miss his newborn, so, despite breaking the order, Maverick has to help Cugard to land carefully without running out of fuel. After the landing, Cougar is calling quit and stripping off his wings due to his family concern, the commander of Enterprise, Tom "Stinger" Jardian, scolded that despite their effort for the lock-up, but got defying the order to land the plane to the carrier, despite this, Maverick and Goose are being attended to the pilot school known as "TOPGUN" in Miramar. Its up to Maverick learn in school for the skills before the graduation, as well with qualifying his rival Tom "Iceman" Kazansky and got his attention to the instructor Charlotte "Charlie" Blackwood.

I find the story of this movie is, while its fascinating for a flight simulation in training in the school, but it feels like another one of those underdog movie for rising up, but with the flaws rather than being too perfect, but more about pointing the issue for reckless and the arrogance, which is exactly what its about, its about our main protagonist trying to following his order for his training for lock-on before graduate to become a fighter pilot, but trying to be sportsmanship without messing around at the engagement's rule and some pilot, which is something that Maverick needs to pay attention to the instructors, as well with some rivals, like Iceman or lieutenant commander Jester, as well is trying to be learned and motivated from Charlie while they're falling in love. However, the downside of this movie that while action scenes are fun watch (which il get to presentation later), sometimes, the movie just dragging on without the flight, but i understand that this is the purpose for not just hit the break, but rather focuses on the plot for building up for Maverick with screwing around, i understand what they're going for plot point, but the movie gets rather slow with the filler like playing volleyball, pilots and best buds singing and even the romantic scene between Maverick and Charlie, they're quite fun and beautiful, but again, do we really want those to be taken forever?

Despite the time that it takes forever, but at least the story is good, as well with some humor and some memorable lines, sure it can be cheesy as the 80's but at least its a good writing, for the most part.

The Presentation

For the movie's budget of $15 Million, it looks pretty damn good and beautiful, plus, a kick-ass music.

For the filming location, they wanted to the film takes place similar from the article, where it takes place in Miramar, San Diego, California. And its nice to place to following in the movie, especially with Fightertown USA (which is the nickname from Naval Air Station Miramar and the nickname sign is still there to this day) and bar Kansas City Barbeque (Though the name is loosely, since again, located on San Diego) with "Great Balls of Fire" scene and the ending is a nice place too, before the kitchen fire incident that ruined place's presentation where it used to in 2008, surprisingly, not only the restaurant was repaired and re-opened in the same year, but some old props is still there, including the piano where Goose played in the aforementioned "Great Balls of Fire".

Despite the non-action scenes that just dragged on, but of course, the highlights is the flight scenes. It looks pretty cool and also quite of risk when they piloting an actual fighter jets over the mountains and the ocean, despite the challenge, it is pretty amazing what they're going for. This was done with the help of VF-51 (Fighter Squadron 51), VF-111 (Fighter Squadron 111) and other squadrons to working with the crew members in order to demonstrating the flight with the famous F-14A Tomcat by Grumman. In fact, Grumman are commissioned by Paramount in order to use this plane for the flight actions, even if it caused a lot, like US$7,800 per hour for the fuel (or $19,700 in today's cost) and US$25,000 for being involved with the aircraft carrier (or $63,000 today's cost).

Of course, the filming and the stunts with the jests that i mentioned what they're going for is not only amazing, but also beautiful shot from the sunlight with the aircraft carrier, romantic scene between Maverick and Charlie and couple others. Plus, some scenes also gotta be credited with some memorable moments, the two famous scenes of "Watch the Birdie" and "Buzzing the tower", while Tom does some flights but some of those mentioned scenes Maverick's stunt double is played by Scott Altman, who'll later working as an astronaut with NASA in the 90's to the millennium before retired, in fact, when he looked back about Top Gun, he had a blast to work on this movie, sure he may have some challenge like the "Buzzing the tower" scenes took 9 takes in his Tomcat flight, but he had fun work with them.

However, despite some fun credits, but some are unfortunately had some tragic, the late Art Scholl was hired to do the in-flight camera work, where it was originally to do flat spin in the original script, however, when he performed the stunt like spinning, he was losing his control, saying that he had a problem on radio communication and he's unable to control his flight, he spun out of control and crashed on Pacific Ocean next to Carlsbad, he died from a fatal jet crash from his stunt gone badly on September 16, 1985 with the age of 53. Again, its quite of risk to do the filming in jet fighters to pulled the stunt like this incident, and yes, the give a memoir credit to the late Art Scholl, R.I.P. man...

And lastly that i wanna give is the soundtrack, and let me tell you, the soundtrack is pretty damn good to listening, though its somewhat cheesy, but its the good kind of cheese to taste the music.

Of course, the most signature song of this movie is "Danger Zone" by Kenny Loggins, its catchy and bombastic to perfectly fits for the action flight with Tomcat, its no wonder why it received one Gold and two Platinum certifications.

The second song is "Mighty Wings" by Cheap Trick, its sorta like "Danger Zone", but this one goes Hard Pop Rock style, its catchy and loud to once again, in flight with Tomcat's "Mighty Wings" (Sorry...), its a shame that it didn't get a lot of attention, but hey, its a pretty damn good song. In fact, this song got an subconsciously inspired from Street Fighter 2 composer Yoko Shimomura for taking a similar song for Ken's theme music in this game, i guess its no wonder why many people, including my shout out to @MDTartist83, how those two songs are similar, nice touch.

The third is "Take My Breath Away" by Berlin, this one is obviously used during the loving chemistry between Maverick and Charlie, even if the song is kinda all over, despite its slowly catchy and smooth in synth pop song, especially its been played in radio a couple of times along with Danger Zone. Though unlike Danger Zone, Take My Breath Away actually won the Oscar of Best Original Song in 59th Academy Award, well done, Berlin.

And last but not least for my favorite, its the main song "Top Gun Anthem" by Harold Faltermeyer and Steve Stevens. I know its used for the movie soundtrack and it constantly played in the movie, but i loved it, it has the build up the action, the preparation of the fighter jets and of course, adding the emotion for the piano and the main electric guitar, its so 80's of classic for a movie soundtrack, and its no wonder why it won the award's category "Best Pop Instrumental Performance (Orchestra, Group or Soloist)" in 29th Grammy Awards, nice touch.

While some had a risky stunt to led to tragic death, but the filming shots, the actions with jets and the soundtrack of songs and the main theme are impressively done.

The Characters

While they're just straight forward, but these characters are both fascinating and memorable.

Lets start off with our main protagonist, Pete Mitchell, better known as Maverick (played by Tom Cruise), he's our underdog pilot that after intercepting to looking after the bogey, he's sent to TOPGUN to testify his skills, but as we all know, he's pretty reckless and arrogant that he wants to prove anybody and himself to be the best in TOPGUN, but the pilots, his lover Charlie and others said otherwise, cause having his risky skills and hotheaded persona won't match in the school to outqualify Iceman. Though he does trying to change, even if he still has arrogance in his system, pretty much being overconfident to win. Despite being overconfidence, he's still a memorable character in the movie, of course, Tom Cruise did a nice work of his role.

Next up is Maverick's love interest Charlotte "Charlie" Blackwood (played by Kelly McGillis), she's the instructor of TOPGUN where not only she's our love interest, but she's also trying to pay attention to our main hero when it comes to sportsmanship for piloting a fighter jet, even though she tries to give compliment when Maverick has a hard time from criticisms based on her performance. In interesting note, Charlie is based on a real life person Christine Fox who used to work on Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. Kelly did a nice work for both respectful and caring for Maverick in order helping Maverick to improve his performance without going out of control.

After that, we have Ton Kazansky, aka "Iceman" (played by Val Kilmer), he's the top student in TOPGUN program for his perfect performance and cold act. And of course, being a rival and possibly a good pal to Maverick. He's such a fascinating character in this movie, he's basically the typical "Mr. Perfect" in TOPGUN program for his high performance and has a memorable dialogue, especially in the locker room scene for his consideration, where Maverick embraces his performance in his rivalry. Even though Val was originally wasn't to be in this movie, but surprisingly he did a nice work of Maverick's rivalry, even though its a damn shame that in nowadays, he has voice box from cancer he had since 2017's report.

Then we have Nick Bradshaw, aka Goose (played by Anthony Edwards), he's Maverick's not just partner as radar intercept, but also his best pal since the beginning. However, despite being Maverick's partner he has a limited appearance in this movie, since we focused on Maverick, it will be more fun if he shows his development to having him being important friend from Maverick and maybe helping our hero for not going too far as a pilot, but of course, Anthony did a fun work of his role, whether is being best bud or "Great Balls of Fire" scene.

And finally, we have Mike Metcalf, aka Viper (played by Tom Skerritt) a commending officer and instructor of TOPGUN program that he's actually a veteran pilot back in Vietnam War. He's a sorta mentor of our main hero, but to make sure for paying attention to our main hero when he was reckless. Even though he's a serious instructor, but he's also rooting for Maverick without making any trouble, of course, Tom did a nice work of his role, in fact, he actually used to be part of US Air Force back in early to mid 50's before going in acting career.

As for the rest of the characters, they have some unique names, but they either have nice persona or just being there.

Rick Heatherly, aka Jester (played by Michael Ironside), another instructor, but as a Naval Aviator, and interesting note, he'll later having his great voice acting of Darkseid in DC cartoons like Justice League, Sam Wells, aka Merlin (played by Tim Robbins) is part-time sidekick that he used to be with Cougar from the beginning, Bill Cortell, aka Cougar (played by John Stockwell) a short-lived pilot who's calling quit due to his shaken feeling for unable to see his wife and newborn, and Tom Jardian, aka Stinger (played by retired actor James Tolkan), the commander of USS Enterprise.

These characters while some has limits, but they have fascinating have some memorable moments.

SPOILER ALERT if anybody seen the movie or don't mind

Things about to going down to our hero, but eventually recovered.

During the competition for who's earning TOPGUN's trophy, Maverick and Iceman are both ordered to chase the A-4, however, Maverick didn't realized that Iceman is above him for high chase, leaving Maverick going hotheaded that he wants to win so badly, but everything went down due to Iceman's aircraft of jet washing and flameout (aka jets in malfunction), causing Maverick and Goose going down with dizzying from flat spin, but Maverick eventually hits the eject to escape nicely, but not too safe enough, when Goose got hit by canopy so hard, it caused his life way too soon, leaving Maverick felt devastated and trying best to continue his career, but due his effect from Goose's death, he's completely given up for TOPGUN, leaving Charlie and other pilots felt sorry for him that despite they wanted to console him, but he gave up to calling a day.

However, he's visited by Viper to comfort him that not only he gives Maverick an advice to improve his motivation, but he also coming out of his classified to find out he's been there before, where he used to be partner with Duke Mitchell (who happens to be Maverick's late father) back in Vietnam War and in his classification, despite Duke died during the war, he proclaimed that Maverick's father lived like hothead and died like a sacrificed hero, understandable about the past, Maverick chooses to coming back for graduation, while Iceman earned the trophy. But the celebration didn't last long, the USS Enterprise is called that its time for the battle between them and SS Layton, so Maverick (along with Merlin as a new partner), Iceman and Hollywood (played by Whip Hubley) are going back to the Enterprise for the climatic aerial dogfight. It started badly where Hollywood is down that Maverick is on the go with Iceman as his wingman, however, Maverick had a rocky start with nearly losing his control and nearly flying away due to Goose's death, but he eventually recovered his painful past and went back to helping Iceman to fight against the bogeys, despite Maverick is outnumbered, but Maverick refuses to leaving his wingman, after Iceman eventually shot down one bogey, he ended up got hit by the other bogey's bullets, meaning Maverick is in his turn to fight back, including pulling his old risky trick where he hit the brake to let the last one go in front and shot it down, after two remaining bogeys left, the mission has completed both Maverick and Iceman that they're happy for the team work and respect, along with Maverick threw Goose's tag away that its time to moving on.

And in the end, upon his graduation, he's offered for choosing assignment, Maverick chooses to going back TOPGUN as an instructor much like Charlie, both them reunite together and Maverick lived happily ever after to became a teacher for new kids in TOPGUN program.

It is quite of emotional ride from depression for losing his partner to eventually regain his confidence in his aerial dogfight scene, of course the dogfight scene is pretty good to see the epic battle in the air.

And now for my final opinion of this movie.

Overall, Top Gun is a pretty good action drama film in the 80's, its writing is nice and good kind of cheese, the production is impressive, the characters are good and fun acting. While the story is well-written, but sometimes, it could've tone down the timing to more focus on action than the non-aerial scenes, as well with some troublesome behind-the-scenes story of aerobatic died too soon, but in fairness, the production is impressively beautiful and the story is good, for the most part.

If you're a fan of either Tom Cruise, an aerial dogfight or curious about Top Gun, this is the film that you'll definitely check it out with your friends and family, and im definitely sure some people had a fond a memory of this movie.

For may rating, its not the most perfect film ever, but at least i may have fun for watching it, so im giving it an 8/10.

So this ends of my movie review, if you guys have your opinion or any suggestions, let me know at comment bellow and support me on https://ko-fi.com/blackevil.

Thanks for reading, and im Anthony, signing out.