Top Gun (1986) Movie Review

Synopsis:

Pete “Maverick” Mitchell (Tom Cruise) has earned a reputation for being one of the US Navy’s top aviators. Alongside his friend, Nick “Goose” Bradshaw (Anthony Edwards), he joins Top Gun. This is an elite program designed to test their skills.

Review:

If there was ever a classic example of a pure 1980s film-watching experience, Top Gun is that film.

This is best represented through its soundtrack, dialogue, occasional romance, and use of colors.

Elements such as its romance have become dated by today’s standards. Despite this flaw, it remains a fun ride, nonetheless.

Before his more famous role as Ethan Hunt in Mission: Impossible, Cruise sat in the pilot’s seat as Pete Mitchell.

With this acting, Tom transitions from a snarky pilot to a more respected one by the film’s conclusion.

Cruise’s best talents are on display with Anthony Edwards.

For context, Edwards portrays his wingman, Nick Bradshaw, code-named “Goose”.

One of Top Gun's other characters is the naval instructor, Charlie Blackwood (Kelly McGillis).

Top Gun also stars Val Kilmer as Tom Kazansky, a.k.a. “Iceman”.

Kilmer’s character acts in opposition to Maverick. He's a character who disapproves of Maverick's reckless style of flying.

While this brief conflict doesn’t have much depth, it is not a major flaw.

Pete Mitchell and Charlie Blackwood's romance is the film's weakest element. Cruise and McGinnis have decent enough chemistry.

Regardless, it’s a distraction, which can take away from the fun action sequences.

Their scenes together also don’t have much of an impact on the film’s story as a whole.

Top Gun's action contains many training sequences and dogfights that are well executed. Considering the limited budget of the time, several shots impress.

Whether it’s a shot of a pilot inside the cockpit or the jet, it’s a good achievement by 1980s standards.

Top Gun’s soundtrack is also exciting. It includes pieces such as “Danger Zone” and “Mighty Wings”, which are the highlights.

Danger Zone, for example, is the most prominent. It's used at several points throughout the film’s runtime.

Whichever way you put it, Top Gun’s soundtrack is a blast and is still talked about to this day.

Conclusion:

To conclude, Top Gun is a fun film. Its romance and its by-the-numbers approach to dialogue are the film's weaker points.

Despite these flaws, most other aspects work. Top Gun also has good action sequences and a good soundtrack.

These should be enough to make Top Gun a recommended watch for both 1980s and action fans.

Sam’s Action Reaction score:

Characters - 7/10

Story - 6/10

Action - 7/10

Visuals - 7.5/10

Soundtrack - 7.5/10

Overall score: 7 out of 10