Top Gun
Tags: fantasy, cult, action, humor, inspiring, romantic

Plot synopsis:
United States Naval Aviator LT Pete "Maverick" Mitchell and his Radar Intercept Officer LTJG Nick "Goose" Bradshaw fly the F-14A Tomcat aboard USS Enterprise (CVN-65). They, with Maverick's wingman "Cougar" and his RIO "Merlin", intercept fictional Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-28s over the Indian Ocean. During the engagement, Maverick flies his Tomcat parallel to one of the MiGs and inverts his craft in order to give the other pilot the finger – a feat that adds to his already wild reputation. Cougar is almost taken out by one of the hostile aircraft, however, and afterwards is too shaken to land despite being low on fuel. In defiance of orders, Maverick aborts his landing and escorts Cougar back to the carrier. Cougar gives up his wings, citing his newborn child that he has never seen. Despite his dislike for Maverick's recklessness, CAG "Stinger" sends him and Goose—now his top crew—to attend the Top Gun school at NAS Miramar.
Maverick flies recklessly in part to compensate for his father Duke Mitchell, a Naval Aviator with VF-51 aboard the USS Oriskany (CV-34) during the Vietnam War. The elder Mitchell died when his F-4 Phantom II was shot down in an incident Maverick refuses to believe was his fault. Goose is cautious and devoted to his wife Carol and child. The two officers are nonetheless close friends and effective partners. At a bar the day before Top Gun starts, Maverick, assisted by Goose, unsuccessfully approaches a woman. He learns the next day that she is Charlotte "Charlie" Blackwood, an astrophysicist and civilian Top Gun instructor. Upon learning that Maverick is the pilot who flipped off a MiG-28 pilot (and as a result disproved her data suggesting the MiG-28 was limited in performing a "negative-G pushover" due to a "problem with its inverted flight tanks"), she is instantly more interested in him.
Maverick's reckless flying both annoys and impresses LCDR Rick "Jester" Heatherly and other instructors. He defeats Jester in combat but breaks two rules of engagement in the process; becomes a rival to top student LT Tom "Iceman" Kazanski, who considers Maverick's methods "dangerous"; and continues to pursue Charlie. During class she analyzes Maverick's engagement with Jester's aircraft, calling it "an example of what not to do". Later, Charlie admits to him that she admires his tactics but criticized them to hide her feelings for him from the others, and they begin a romantic relationship.
During a training sortie Maverick abandons his wingman "Hollywood" to chase chief instructor CDR Mike "Viper" Metcalf. Maverick matches the older pilot move for move, but Viper maneuvers Maverick into a position from which his wingman Jester—who has already defeated Hollywood—can shoot down Maverick from behind, demonstrating the value of teamwork over individual ability.
Near the end of the training program, Maverick and Iceman both chase Jester; the latter attempts to gain a missile lock on the target. Maverick is close enough to take out Jester with his guns, and pressures Iceman to break off the engagement and clear his shot. Maverick's F-14 flies through the jet wash of Iceman's aircraft and suffers a flameout of both engines, forcing Maverick's aircraft into an unrecoverable flat spin. Maverick and Goose eject, but the force of the ejection slams Goose's head into the jettisoned aircraft canopy, killing him.
Although the board of inquiry clears Maverick of responsibility for Goose's death, he feels guilty and loses his aggressiveness when flying. Charlie and others attempt to console him, but Maverick considers retiring. Unsure of his future, he seeks Viper's advice. Viper reveals that he served with Maverick's father in VF-51, and tells him classified details that prove Duke Mitchell died heroically. He informs Maverick that he can graduate from Top Gun if he can regain his self-confidence. Maverick chooses to graduate, while Iceman wins the award for top pilot.
During the graduation party, Iceman, Hollywood, and Maverick are ordered to immediately return to Enterprise to deal with a "crisis situation", providing air support for the rescue of a stricken communications ship that has drifted into hostile waters. Maverick and Merlin are assigned to one of two F-14s as back-up for those flown by Iceman and Hollywood, despite Iceman's reservations over Maverick's state of mind. The subsequent hostile engagement with six MiGs sees Hollywood shot down; Maverick is scrambled alone due to a catapult failure and nearly retreats after encountering circumstances similar to those that caused Goose's death. Upon finally rejoining Iceman they shoot down four MiGs and force the others to flee, returning triumphantly to Enterprise. Offered any assignment he chooses, Maverick decides to return to Top Gun as an instructor. At a bar at Miramar, Maverick and Charlie reunite.

Review: A cynic might argue that it's just a two hour long Navy recruiting ad (one that worked for me, two years later I found my ass in Pensacola sweating through AOCS, short for Aviation Officer Candidate School, the program immortalized in "An Officer and a Gentleman") but by making a pro-Navy movie, the filmmakers also got invaluable technical assistance from top Navy aviators, and it shows.For starters, although this movie takes numerous liberties in order to entertain, the basic setup, in which fighter pilots from the fleet get sent to NAS Miramar, aka, "Top Gun" for intensive training, is 100% accurate.
This movie's got everything - an arrogant prodigy who'd be out on his arse if he wasn't so good, a sensible, uglier best friend, a love interest (although she's a bit of a mess), an arch nemesis and his dumb sidekick, a few cool high fives and catchphrases, an emotional death scene, a euphoric victory scene and of course, some unforgettable action scenes.
I struggle to grasp why this has a sub 7 rating on here, especially considering some of the dire films that have been rated 9 or above on IMDb, this film deserves a much higher rating.It's a great night in with "pizza and popcorn" movie, more fun if everyone has seen it before so you can play the Top Gun quote game.
Even though I happily watch it at home of a 40 inch TV with a 5.1 PC audio system which isn't exactly lacking in power or effect...It's a fun if somewhat cheesy 80's film that is of course a formula film that was repeated several times (Especially with Tom Cruise starring in them!) with a soundtrack that is still as good today as it was in the late 80's when this film came out.
The plot may be paper thin but the action, the music and the quotability and great fun of the film is what makes it so much fun to watch and gives it massive replay value.It's fast paced action sequences and aerial cinematography are top notch, simply breathtaking and stunning for the most.
The drama of the shooting is the backbone of this film, the adrenaline it can induce is spectacular and some of the shots are simply haunting.The humour is laugh out loud funny and it featured some bloody good looking men and great looking women so the eye candy is never far away.
The casting was very well done and you can sense that the cast and crew must have had a riot while making this film (With The exception of Iceman/Val Kilmer, who actually kept himself apart from the crew for the most to allow for his character to be felt as a true outsider.)As may be apparent I'm a Top Gun fan, have been since I first watched this film, I was gripped from the opening chimes of the epic Top Gun theme followed by that big haired 80's guitar riff and the initial sounds of engines winding up as the steam drifts across the deck of the aircraft carrier.
The film may have a few plot holes, there are about a million goofs, it spawned more than a handful of web sites to point out all the goofs and flaws in the film, dialogue and all other things Top Gun related but it's got a fan base the size of a massive army and for a reason, it's just a good movie because of all that.The soundtrack and aerial footage really are the stars of this film, even though the cast was pretty huge, the Director Tony Scott really went all in and made a huge effort with Top Gun (Even at his own personal expense considering he ended up hiring a US Aircraft carrier to get a shot just how he wanted!)It's just one of those films if you like it, whenever it is on, you can sit down and watch it no matter where you walked in, or turned over and found it was on.
If you don't take it too seriously you should have a good night.If you have seen it and enjoyed it, get on here and give it some love and vote it up, if only to get it ranked above a lot of the rubbish ranked highly.It's also worth watching the DVD extras/Making of Top Gun if you liked the film as it's pretty interesting stuff and very funny in parts, as some of the trivia about the film is fascinating..
However, fighter jet sequences do not make a film and it is the plot where Top Gun has some occasional problems.Parts of the story are overly cheesy and clichéd.
The relationship between Tom Cruise and Anthony Edwards is also very moving at times and the dynamic they have makes for great viewing.The acting is what saves Top Gun from being Tinsel town garbage.
Michael Ironside does what he does best and once again, manages to go through a whole film without smiling.The story between Cruise and Kelly McGillis is very romantic and sensual.
It's probably now the film that most people will identify him with.Cruise plays Pete Mitchell aka Maverick who gets recommended for the Navy's elite Top Gun fighter pilot school.
That doesn't near and endear him to his fellow pilots.You can add Top Gun to a list of films that goes all the way back to Task Force where the story of the development of the aircraft carrier was told, to The Bridges at Toko-Ri which was a film that told about the first jet air war in Korea.
Val Kilmer turns in a nice performance as Cruise's number one rival to be number one in the class.Best in the film besides Tom is Anthony Edwards as his co-pilot and best friend.
His death scene with Cruise is particularly poignant as is Edwards's wife Meg Ryan's scene with Tom as he breaks the news.Romance for Cruise is provided by Kelly McGillis who certainly had her choice of hunks to fall for, but this film doe seem to make a point that women like confidence in their men even if it can be overbearing at times to those around.
McGillis is a civilian instructor so the romance does not bring Tom or her under military fraternization infractions.Top Gun is a film every bit as good as the ones I mentioned before.
It was common of the motion pictures during that decade for the music to be the star; one long rock video, like the ones we watched on that new network MTV (back when they actually played videos).I'm only a little embarrassed to tell you that Top Gun changed my life.
I heard in that year 1986, a lot of guys wanted to be pilots just because of this movie.Top Gun is a story of pilot Pete Mitchell code name Maverick who is regarded dangerous pilot by the navy.
Maverick doesn't want to risk Goose's job, by doing some unnecessary stints in the sky, but his desperation and ego to be better than others due what happened to his father, never listens to him.Tom Cruise pulls off performance of his life in this movie.
TOP GUN **** Tom Cruise plays Maverick Mitchell, an intelligent macho fighter pilot who is sent with partner Anthony Edwards to attend the elite US Flying school in California to compete for the Top Gun trophy.
'Top Gun' is an entertaining coming-of-age picture that is both exciting (making the film fun to watch) and dramatic in a realistic sense (making it more balanced).
The contrasting characters in the Naval Flying school adds to the film's clever edge as Cruise throttles high speed aircrafts on air and woos one of his instructors (Kelly McGillis of 'Witness') on ground..
And thank you to all those involved, particularly (in no particular order) to:1- screenwriters Jim Cash and Jack Epps, Jr.// 2- first-time director Tony Scott// 3- stars Tom Cruise, Anthony Edwards, and Val Kilmer (plus the future Tim Robbins, Tom Skerritt, and Meg Ryan)// 4-but especially to the "visionary alliance" of uber-producers Jerry Bruckheimer and the late Don Simpson.
Regardless of all other considerations, I just could not get past the casting of Tom Cruise, who plays "Maverick", a hotshot fighter pilot who competes with other young pilot dudes in tough, daring aerial competition at an elite pilot school to see who can be the best.Cruise swaggers and smirks his way through the plot, all decked out in heavy-duty flight suit and shades, his boyish face, short stature, and immaturity in deportment making a mockery of what the film no doubt had intended.
Instead of portraying the "top gun", his character comes across more as the top jerk.In plot and dialogue, the film could be described as a popcorn flick for kids, with lots of "action", as fighter jets blast off, roar and soar, topsy-turvy like, showing off the daring-do of their annoyingly smug aviators.The dialogue is just as sophomoric as the plot.
Maverick and his friend goose are sent for training in TOP GUN where the best of the best pilots come out and are ready for real action in wars.
The movie goes normal till his friend dies during training and maverick feels responsible for it and wants to quit.But in the end he joins the team and gets into real action.Tom cruise gives the right performance for the role.
TOP GUN is fun.The plot follows the young jet pilot Maverick, played by Tom Cruise, who gets admitted to "Top Gun", the training school for the best of the best fighter pilots.
DO NOT overthink it.Tom Cruise, Anthony Edwards, Tom Skerrit, Michael Ironside, Meg Ryan, Val Kilmer, Tim Robbins and the list goes on, the movie is packed to the rafters with good and great actors.It has comedy, drama, romance and action all the way through.If you haven't seen it already and like action packed movies do yourself a favour..
Top Gun is a good movie with a decent storyline and a good cast.It was my first time seeing the movie,I since its so well known I expected it to be a lot better,Tom Cruise did deliver a great performance however,but this movie is so cheesy,there's constant singing to feel good songs and a cliché love story to it as well.I don't really like Val Kilmer as an actor,mainly because he was the worst Batman ever,but he delivered a pretty solid performance as Iceman.Students of a Us Fighting school compete against each other to be the best in there class,while one of the students,Maverick (Tom Cruise),dates the teacher,Charlie (Kelly McGillis)..
Maybe this is something of a U.S. military naval recruitment film but if taken not too seriously, this testosterone laced movie actually makes for quite entertaining viewing.
The story revolves around a bold, daring, and overconfident navy fighter pilot, Lieutenant Pete Mitchell (call name 'Maverick'), who is sent to the Top Gun Naval Flying School along with his close pal, Goose.
Meanwhile, he falls for a lovely civilian astrophysics instructor, Charlotte (Charlie) Blackwood.Tom Cruise is well cast in the role of the hotshot pilot...the cocky, audacious, fearless, but ultimately conflicted and anguished Maverick.
Meg Ryan appears in her screen debut as Goose's perky, fun loving young wife, Carole Bradshaw, a minor role and one which I personally found rather irritating.I half expected that I'd find this movie just all too macho, but it's actually quite engaging to watch.
From the very first scene of fighter aircraft flying off the carrier to the closing credits director Tony Scott seems to be making something that's a cross between a recruiting film for the US Navy and a music video , there's romance for the girls , a few dog fight for the boys but much of it seems aimed for the next MTV slot .
I can understand Hollywood getting all nationalistic since they had such a right wing president ( A former Hollywood actor no less ) at the time but the " God bless the United States - we're the best at everything we do " attitude does grate very quickly especially to non Americans and a later Bruckheimer production PEARL HARBOR drowned in its patriotic fervor with an American fighter pilot almost winning The Battle Of Britain single handed A lot of people flocked to the cinema when it was first released and a lot of people bought the soundtrack too , but as a film it is rather shallow , uninvolving and if you can't remember the 1980s then you might be ever so puzzled why this film made so much money .
Meg Ryan, Anthony Edwards,and Val Kilmer were virtually nobodies when this came out as well.All turned out too be prominent actors.Top Gun would not be as cool if it were made today because of the computer graphics.it would turn out like Stealth.The footage of them flying was awesome,especially for 1986.
Tom Cruise was and still is the epitome of the action movie star and supported fantastically by Kelly McGillis and Val Kilmer.
It's movies like this that made me - and millions of others - dislike Tom Cruise for a long time.
And even if you're a film buff, you cannot change the undeniably American plot of an all-American boy living his father's dream, and the tragic scene's of a great loss (watch the movie!).
The acting at times gets a bit ridiculous, and of course Tom Cruise singing "You Lost That Loving Feeling", since when do hard core naval aviators sing sappy love songs?Ok, so we have covered these items that critics jumped all over when reviewing this movie.
The guys loved the fast planes and rock music, the ladies enjoyed seeing Tom Cruise and Val Kilmer play volleyball topless.
Absolutely not, this behemoth of an aircraft made Top Gun the best aerial/fighter plane film ever.In closing, Top Gun is an awesome movie.
Throughout the film Maverick acts in thoroughly unprofessional manner (any pilot who performed a close-in flyby on a tower would be court-martialed) and never is called on it except in the most perfunctory and insincere fashion, not even when Goose Bradshaw pleads with him early on that he, Goose, can't afford to blow the opportunity presented to him.Cruise and McGuiness are not worth investing the time needed to watch the film; the real stars are the supporting cast - Tom Skerritt, Michael Ironside, Anthony Edwards, Val Kilmer, and Rick Rossovich - and the superb aerial dogfight footage; the use of F-5s as Soviet MiGs is a bit distracting, since the F-5s don't look at all like Soviet warplanes.
With Tom Cruise playing Maverick, Val Kilmer playing Iceman, and Anthony Edwards playing Goose, you have an all star cast but before they were stars.
It felt slow otherwise.If you want a good Tom Cruise movie, watch Magnolia, A Few Good Men, Rain Man, or Jerry Maguire for a start.
Top Gun is a really good film, and is well worth watching.
Tom Cruise plays Maverick, a cocky pilot, who goes to Top Gun - for the best of the best.
The outstanding actor in the movie was Tom Cruise who played Maverick.
But guys, don't be put off by that, it is still a cool film to watch!!!Tom Cruise pulls off the part of "Maverick" perfectly and his co-star Kelly McGillis ("Charlie") is a perfect supporting actress.This film has one of the best storylines i've even encountered and it ranks highly in my Top 50 films of all time.
Every time i hear "Take My Breath Away" by Berlin (the theme song) I picture Tom Cruise on a motor bike, riding near the "Top Gun" base.I'd give this film 10 / 10 and i hardly ever rate films as high as that!!!.
This movie about a maverick (Tom Cruise, before he star as scotsman in Far and Away) who fly planes, and fell in love with woman who look like man (Kelly Mcnellis).
"Top Gun" is not a great movie but it is an entertaining one, this is the movie that put Tom Cruise on the map and it is still one of his better movies.
The movies is about some students of Navy, who are specializing in fighter weapons.Maverick is the best pilot, but he is dangerous.
You know the movie, you remember those moments, etc, skimming past the air tower, coffee splutter scene, dolly shot with Tom Cruise on his bike, arriving at new fighter pilot school, and of course all those great songs.
To this very day Maverick (Tom Cruise) remains my all-time hero and the coolest movie character ever.So what's so great about Top Gun anyway?
Hot shot pilot Maverick (Tom Cruise) gets a chance to attend Fighter Weapons School or Top Gun in Miramar when his lead Cougar loses it in the air.
Movie star Tom Cruise is perfectly suited as Maverick.
Tom Cruise stars as a super-confident navy flier(Maverick) sent to the prestigious Top Gun program to become "the best of the best", along with friend Anthony Edwards(The Goose).
I have seen it quite a few times now, but I felt that I had to introduce my daughter to the classic now she has turned 12.The movie is about a group of fighter pilots who are the best in the world that are trained as the elite of the elite.I really like the film.
"Top Gun" is just one of those must-see 1980s films, very quotable, with a classic cast of Tom Cruise, Anthony Edwards, Meg Ryan and Val Kilmer, among others.
Well known as the picture that turned Tom Cruise into an international icon and coming with one of the great memorable soundtracks, "Top Gun" is an enjoyable first-rate Eighties movie.Maverick (Cruise) and his best friend Goose (Anthony Edwards) are two cocky, talented pilots working in the US Navy.
That being said, I thought there were some nice touches in Top Gun. First, Tom Cruise, whose acting I have always considered good but not great, is perfect as Maverick.