Good evening everyone! Hope you all are doing well, and enjoying this spring weather for those of you who have the privilege of experiencing nicer weather. Anyway, today, we are going to be reviewing an action movie that has seemed to be well known, but has not had any sequels until this year, when this film gets a sequel released around the summertime of this year. Yeah, how interesting, considering many movies have had sequels that were released in the 1990s, sometimes even 2000s, you name it. Well, not only does this film star big names like Tom Cruise, but this particular film seemed to help him become more popular, and go into later films like Far And Away, Jerry McGuire, the Mission Impossible movies, Minority Report, you name it. Yes, Tom Cruise did Star in lesser known films that came out before the one that we’re reviewing today. However, none of them seem to be as well known as what we will be talking about today. Well, without further ado, let’s dive into what was most likely one of the most popular films that starred people like Tom Cruise, as well as is apparently said to be the highest grossing film of 1986. The one, and only, Top Gun!
Plot: An egocentric Naval officer named Pete Mitchell (or Maverick, and played by Tom Cruise), and his buddy, Nick Bradshaw (aka Goose, and played by Anthony Edwards), who have been doing test flights around the Indian Ocean, get enrolled at the Naval Fighter Weapon School, known as Top Gun, in Miramar, California. As he, and Goose begin to make new friends there, such as Lieutenant Tom Kazansky (aka Iceman, and played by Val Kilmer), Mike Metcalf (aka Viper, and played by Tom Skerritt), and the beautiful teacher of the academy, Charlotte Blackwood (aka Charlie, and played by Kelly McGillis), and go through some special training at the academy, will Maverick be the same egocentric person that he was before, or will he learn to see things in life from other people’s points of view for once in his lifetime?
First of all, I would like to start this review out by mentioning that I had watched bits, and pieces of this film, but most likely never watched it from beginning to end until recently. Again, I had seen pieces such as when the “Danger Zone” sequence occurs, and other moments when the fun musical score plays at significant, or dramatic moments, and scenes like those. However, I’m not sure that I recall seeing Top Gun in it’s entirety until recently. With that said, there were a couple reasons that I wanted to finally make a point to watch the entire movie sometime this year. One was that, well, an unexpected sequel is planned to be released in the late spring, or early summertime of this year. The other reason being that I had always wanted to sit down, and watch this film all the way through, and see if it truly is as good as a lot of people say that is. I will say this, though, before watching this film, though I didn’t expect to enjoy this film all too much, and thought it would just be your average adult action film, I decided to go into this film with an open mind. So, did this film reach, exceed, or worsen my expectations? Well, I’ll tell you the truth, guys, and gals, Top Gun exceeded my expectations. To begin, it is amazing to see how much of an impact that Top Gun left when it first released, and over the years after that. I mean to think that not only was Top Gun a major breakthrough for Tom Cruise’s acting career, but also the fact that this film is said to have inspired more people to want to become Navy pilots, as well there apparently being recruitment booths in some of the movie theaters that Top Gun was playing at? Yeah, if that was in fact the case, how often do you hear of something like that happening? Just comes to show how much of an impact that this film has had on the US, and maybe even the world, wouldn’t you say? Anyway, putting interesting information like that aside, how was Top Gun as a movie? Well, for the most part, Top Gun is an incredible piece of art. To begin, how could you not enjoy the acting, as well as there being either well known, or formerly well known people like Tom Cruise, Kelly McGillis, Val Kilmer, Anthony Edwards, Tom Skerritt, and some other people? And, as I mentioned earlier, there is the score by Harold Faltermeyer. Even if this score does in fact have an 80s vibe, it does surprisingly hold up even over three decades later. It wouldn’t be surprising if someone might want to order the soundtrack, and listen to it. Yeah, definitely saying a lot, yes? Not to mention that this action film has some original songs in it, like “Danger Zone,” “Mighty Wings,” “Heaven In Your Eyes,” and other like those. Yes, there were a couple songs that were written sometime before this film was released. Still, to think that Top Gun has mostly original songs written for an adult action film like this one? Yeah, it most likely comes to show even more so how determined director Tony Scott, producers Don Simpson, and Jerry Bruckheimer, and the rest of the crew were to make this film as great as possible. Now, how about the story? Well, the story is really engaging overall. For one, the action is amazing, even if it mostly involves people driving, or flying around areas throughout this film. Still, considering that most action films involve people kicking other people’s butts, that’s more than likely a welcome change. Additionally, the script is brilliant, memorable, and even funny at times. I mean especially some of the jokes that are made in this film, how could one not laugh at points? There are also the characters. This especially is the case for Pete Mitchell (aka Maverick), Charlie, Ice, Goose, and Viper. Each of these characters miraculously stand out, and are likable, from their memorable lines, and the bondage that these characters have with each other. Not only that, but these characters, and many of the others have some really excellent character growth as the story progresses. It’s astounding how even more likable the characters are, how much they stand out, and how much depth there is to each of them. What’s more is that while watching this film, it wouldn’t be surprising if, at points, some people were to compare characters like Pete Mitchell/Maverick to animated characters like Judy Hopps (Zootopia), or even Simba (The Lion King), for instance, especially the former. Yeah, interesting, considering the films were released thirty years, and eight years respectively following Top Gun’s release, you know? One other thing to note, especially in regards to Pete Mitchell, is that I’m sure that he is a character that a lot of people could more than likely relate to, whether they’ve been a pilot, or not. And another thing! The cinematography is phenomenal, particularly when characters are flying around the ocean, in mountainous terrain, or even when we have sunsets in this film. Finally, Top Gun teaches some really good lessons. One of a couple most notable examples is how, it is best to be willing to be humble, and learn from others, even if you think you might know it all. Yes, it is good to have knowledge, and experience when it comes to certain situations, and jobs in life. However, it is also best to also see things from the viewpoint of others as well. Another really great lesson to learn from films like Top Gun is that whether one is responsible for situations gone wrong, or not, it is best not to dwell on what one may, or may not have done wrong. Rather, it is best to learn from mistakes, and move forward when possible. Yeah, seeing as both scenarios have been issues with many people in life, it is best to learn both lessons sooner rather than later in life, you know? The only thing that one should note as a possible flaw in this film is that there is a scene that could potentially be a little too adult for a PG-rated film. Yeah, I understand that this film was released in 1986. Still, it is worth noting, since even young kids watch both G-rated, and PG-rated films, you know?
And that’s my review for Top Gun. Even if Top Gun does have that one flaw, the film is well crafted, and put together. The characters are phenomenal, the story is mostly great, the characters stand out, and the film could teach some really great lessons to others at times. Because of this, it is understandable as to why Top Gun has been named as one of the greatest films by the National Film Registry. If you haven’t seen the film yet, then definitely make it a point to do so. Even if you decide if you don’t want to see the second Top Gun come this summer, this one is still worth seeing. Trust me, when you see it, you’d be surprised by how much Top Gun stands out from your typical adult action film. Again, definitely see it whenever you can! You may yet find yourself wanting to watch it multiple times after that, even if once, or twice a year.
Final Grade: A
Matthew’s Animated & Live-Action Movie Reviews 