Top Gun, movie for the Top Gun series (1986)
image © Paramount Pictures Corporation (Viacom)
The Top Gun (1986) is an aircraft action / military drama film. The movie was reviewed by Kadmon.
Product: Top Gun, movie for the Top Gun series (1986)
Original title: Top Gun
Series: Top Gun
Setting: then contemporary alternate Earth
Product type: Film, Genre: aircraft action / military drama, Style: action, aircraft action, drama, military drama, romantic drama
Release: Premiere: 1986.05.12 (New York City, New York), Release: 1986.05.16
Reviewer: Kadmon, Type: Male, 40s, Preferences: Immersive, logical story, consistent setting, prefers surprises to spoilers, prefers establishing elements before referencing them
Watched: very recent (2022.10), I've seen it at least once previously
Rating: Good (2+ out of 3 points), Enjoyment: Good (2+ out of 3 points)
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This is my review of Top Gun, a aircraft action / military drama movie for the Top Gun series from 1986. It's about an aviator trying to find his way in life. The Top Gun film is interesting, I recommend it.
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Review (spoiler-free) - Top Gun, movie (1986)
I've seen the movie when it came out in Hungarian cinemas (1991), and I've probably watched it at least once more since then in the '90s. When I've watched Top Gun 2: Maverick (2022), I became curious how would the two movies compare to each other, so I watched Top Gun again.
The Top Gun movie is about an aviator trying to find his way in life.
The cinematography is good. The action scenes look good, and they are easy to follow. The characters look distinct enough. The enemies are easily distinguishable from the good guys.
The characters are good, they are well developed. They are nicely portrayed by the actors.
The music (by Harold Faltermeyer) is great. Although it's slightly repetitive, it fits the themes of the movie.
Top Gun is an interesting and engaging aircraft action / military drama, that I think any kind of audience could enjoy.
My experience
I was satisfied with Top Gun (1986). I happen to like stories with well-thought, engaging plots, and Top Gun delivered just that.
Rating: Good (2+ out of 3 points). Top Gun is a well-made film, with a good story.
Enjoyment: Good (2+ out of 3 points). Top Gun is interesting and engaging, I liked it.
Rewatchability: High. I'm sure that if you liked it for the first time, you'll like to watch it multiple times.
Chance of watching it again: Sure. Even though I've seen it a couple of times, I liked it enough that I might watch it in the right circumstances.
Chance of watching a sequel: High. I actually watched it (Top Gun 2: Maverick (2022)), when it was finally made.
Top Gun, movie for the Top Gun series (1986)
image © Paramount Pictures Corporation (Viacom)
Will you enjoy this?
If you like aircraft action movies, you will love Top Gun.
If you like military drama films, you might like Top Gun.
If you like romantic movies, you might enjoy this, although romance is not the focus of the story.
If you'd like to get comedic moments in your movies, there are some humorous moments in Top Gun, although it's mostly serious.
If you prefer visuals over story, this movie looks interesting enough to enjoy.
If you hate depiction of violence, you should avoid Top Gun (and other military movies).
If you hate romantic movies, you should be prepared that there are some romantic scenes.
If you hate erotic sex scenes, get ready to close your eyes when they switch off the lights in the room.
Do you need to see the second film to enjoy this?
The film has a self-contained story. You might watch Top Gun 2: Maverick (2022) if you liked this, as it's a continuation of this story. However, it doesn't add anything to the story of Top Gun, and it unmakes the character arc of the main protagonist. So, while that movie looks good, and it's interesting, it's up to you to decide.
Watching for plot points
If you are interested in aircraft action or military drama stories, you have to watch the Top Gun movie for the plot points, as it's one of the classics of the genre.
Should you watch this on your own screen at home, or is it worth going to the cinema?
The visuals definitely look better if you watch it in cinema.
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Top Gun, movie for the Top Gun series (1986)
image © Paramount Pictures Corporation (Viacom)
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Review with spoilers - Top Gun, movie (1986)
I liked the Top Gun movie a lot.
Cover
The covers of the movie are okay, they don't say much, but also don't spoil the movie.
The trailer
The trailer is fine, it gives the feel of the movie, without spoiling any twists.
Promise of the first scene
The very first scene shows planes leaving from an aircraft carrier. This makes me think that the movie will happen on an aircraft carrier, or at least will have something to do with one.
The second scene shows navy planes observing enemy fighters, and we get some nice aircraft action shots. This makes me think that we'll see more of that in the movie.
Execution: I got aircraft action, aircraft carriers, and a great stroy. I was satisfied with the fulfilment of the promise.
Top Gun, movie for the Top Gun series (1986)
image © Paramount Pictures Corporation (Viacom)
Plot summary / Synopsis
On the Indian Ocean, an aircraft carrier (USS Enterprise) notices enemy airplanes. They send two fighters (F-14A Tomcats) to intercept them. In one, there's a cocky pilot (Tom Cruise as Pete "Maverick" Mitchell), and his radar operator (Anthony Edwards as Nick "Goose" Bradshaw). The enemy planes are a new type of fighter jet (MiG-28), that they inspect closely. When the enemies leave, the pilot (John Stockwell as Bill "Cougar" Cortell) of the other plane is so shocked by the event that he needs to be guided back to the aircraft carrier by the cocky pilot. That pilot later resigns, so their boss has to send the cocky pilot to the training course (United States Navy Fighter Weapons School program) in his place.
They meet the other aviators, including one (Val Kilmer as Tom "Iceman" Kazansky), with whom the cocky pilot begins a rivalry. The cocky pilot starts flirting with a woman (Kelly McGillis as Charlotte "Charlie" Blackwood), who turns out to be one of their teachers. They develop a romantic relationship.
During their training, they have to defeat a veteran instructor (Michael Ironside as Rick "Jester" Heatherly) in a simulated combat in a one-on-one dogfight. Later, they practice team-work, and another instructor (Tom Skerritt as Mike "Viper" Metcalf) joins the fight. As the cocky pilot wants to do better than his team-mate, who happens to be his rival, he goes to close to the other plane, leading to an accident that causes the death of his radar operator.
The cocky pilot suffers from guilt, and even though he is not charged for the accident, he wants to resign. One of the instructors tells him a story about his father, who died in a battle, saving others. This encourages the cocky pilot to finish the training.
He gets sent on a rescue mission, as one of their ships drifted into enemy waters. He gets a new radar operator (Tim Robbins as Sam "Merlin" Wells). The rival pilot is also assigned to their team. As they arrive, they are attacked by enemy fighters. One of their planes gets shot down, but they defeat the enemy fighters. In the end, the cocky pilot and the rival develop a mutual respect. The cocky pilot gets over the death of his radar operator.
He decides to start a long-standing relationship with the female teacher, and signs up as an instructor for the aviator training.
The setting
Then contemporary alternate Earth, probably 1986.
In this universe, F-14 aircrafts are not equipped with anti-missile defences, or long-range targeting abilities.
Plot points of interests
Characters
Charlotte "Charlie" Blackwood: A teacher at the aviator school. The love interest of Maverick.
Nick "Goose" Bradshaw: An aviator. The radar operator of Maverick. He has a wife and a son. He dies in an accident, caused by Maverick.
Pete "Maverick" Mitchell: An aviator. He is irresponsible and anti-social. Goose is his closest friend. He indirectly causes the death of Goose.
Tom "Iceman" Kazansky: An aviator, who tries to help Maverick.
Characters killed
Nick "Goose" Bradshaw: He dies in a training accident.
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Top Gun, movie for the Top Gun series (1986)
image © Paramount Pictures Corporation (Viacom)
Analysis of the story - Top Gun, movie (1986)
I liked the story despite the dramatic problems. These didn't prevent me from enjoying Top Gun.
The message of the story
I'm not sure there's one.
The structure of the story
The scenes of the Top Gun film are mostly played in sequence, following the same storyline.
There's no single viewpoint character.
It has the usual arc of the dramatic structure - introduction, action, resolution.
Things I liked
- I liked the flight deck montages, it reinforced the theme of the movie.
- It was a good idea not to show the faces of the enemy aviators.
- The actors who played the trainers were great choices. Even the aviators were fine.
- The music was great.
- I consider the very close distances between the dogfighting planes an acceptable choice.
Problematic elements
Lack of background information: As this article points out, the whole reason for sending one team of F-14A aviators from a squadron to a special training to teach how to use the plane for dogfighting is because the F-14A was not designed for dogfighting, but for long range interception, and elimination of targets beyond visual range. If one plane from a squadron had aviators who were skilled in handling enemy fighters, that would give the others a chance to complete their objectives. This is not emphasised in the movie.
Rivalry: There's supposed to be a rivalry between Maverick and Iceman. In the movie, however, most of this rivalry doesn't really show. In the film, when Maverick does something stupid, Iceman tries to help him with good advice. It would have worked if Maverick were a better person, or if Iceman were not better a better aviator in practically every aspect than Maverick.
Held back due to his father: Maverick couldn't go to the Academy, due to his father. While it's not explained in the movie, I've read that they wanted to imply that his father did something real bad before he died, that's why his death was classified, and this is the cause of Marverick's problems. They should have made this clear in the film.
Inaccuracies: There were a couple of times where the scene looked fine from a dramatic point of view, but it was unrealistic. Most of these points came from Ward Carroll's article:
- Polaroid camera: The radar officer would have a military camera.
- Cougar staying in the landing area: Maverick is still in air, Cougar should move so he could land.
- Collecting intel: After reprimanding Maverick, the boss should have interviewed him about the event, to get the maximum amount of information about the enemy plane.
- Top Gun trophy: There's no such thing in the real school, because they want the aviators cooperating instead of competing.
- The arrogance of Maverick: After being cocky about his abilities, he would have been reprimanded. Arrogance is not encouraged.
- Lack of scenario briefing: The pilots don't get to know practically any details about the training scenario.
- Flying under the hard deck of 10,000 feet: The hard deck is the simulated ground level. When the trainer goes under that, he crashes into the "ground", killing it. When Maverick explains that he was under the hard deck only for a few seconds that also doesn't make much sense when you consider what the hard deck is.
- Flying near the tower: This would get Maverick expelled from the military, maybe even getting into prison.
- Flying close to Iceman: Maverick flies too close to Iceman, thus getting into his jetwash, leading to the death of Goose. A highly trained aviator - those who get into the Top Gun school - wouldn't do this.
- Ejecting from the plane: If they would follow the instructions, Goose wouldn't have bumped his head.
- Lifting Goose: He is pulled on a rope after a serious incident. He should have been put into a basket to protect him properly.
- The death of Goose: After the death of his partner, Maverick would have been taken out of the Top Gun training. The investigation also would have taken month to finish.
- Quitting the Navy: Although one can quit, they cannot reapply after that, it's a lasting decision.
- The confession about the dead father: If the event is classified, the officer would keep it a secret, and wouldn't tell Maverick, especially in that state of mind, when he couldn't be even sure that Maverick stays in the military, and doesn't leave.
- The arrival of the rescue helicopter: The helicopter with the ejected aviators arrive at the same time Maverick does. It would take a lot more time to come back with them.
Unanswered questions
- What happens to the ship they tried to rescue in the end?
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Possibilities of improvement
- Inaccurate terminology: Change the dialogue in the movie in several places that it would fit naval terminology, and to use accurate numbers.
- Add CGI effects: When the hostiles shoot missiles at the F-14s, none of them use defensive measures like chaffs or flares. These could be added to the scenes. They also use missiles sparingly, there could be some additional shots of missiles being shot at the hostiles. They also don't use their guns, even though, during training, they encourage the use of guns - add some volleys being shot at those MiGs.
- Cougar stopping in the landing area: Add dialogue that he should be towed away so Maverick could land.
- Collecting intel: Add dialogue that Maverick and Goose should write a very detailed report about the enemy plane.
- Top Gun trophy: Cut dialogue referring to an official trophy. Probably add dialogue between the pilots referring to an unofficial trophy between them, to find it out who is the best pilot.
- The arrogance of Maverick: Cut the scene or probably change the dialogue so that the officer reminds Maverick that he shouldn't be so sure of himself, and he shouldn't be boasting about himself even if he is that good.
- Scenario briefing: Add dialogue to explain the situation and the rules of the training scenario.
- Flying under the hard deck: Instead of the hard deck, use some other phrase in the dialogue. Something that the enemy can do - as Jester does in the movie -, but Maverick couldn't. For example, enemy anti-aircraft weapons could destroy them below 10,000 feet.
- Flying near the tower: Although iconic, this could be cut from the movie.
- Flying close to Iceman: Change the scene so that Jester makes evasive maneuvers, and Viper probably flying in a way that confuses Iceman and Maverick, leading to Maverick getting into the jetwash of Iceman.
- Ejecting from the plane: Cut the head bumping shot. Ejecting can still be dangerous, even if done by the instructions. Goose could still die from it, even if he doesn't bump his head.
- Lifting Goose: The scene should be cut.
- Quitting the Navy: Change the dialogue to Maverick asking for some resting time.
- The confession: Cut the scene, or change the dialogue.
- The arrival of the rescue helicopter: The scenes might be rearranged so the helicopter arrives some time later, while they are celebrating.
How it could have been better?
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How does it compare to the other works of the creators?
From the works of the writers (Jack Epps Jr. and Jim Cash), I've seen Dick Tracy (1990), that was okay, and Anaconda (1997), that was a lot worse.
From the director (Tony Scott), I've seen The Last Boy Scout (1991), True Romance (1993), that were also very good, comparable to Top Gun, and Deja Vu (2006), that was still a fine movie.
How does it compare to the original source?
I haven't read the Top Guns article from Ehud Yonay, so I have no clue.
How does it compare to the other films in the series?
I think that Top Gun has a more engaging story, while Top Gun 2: Maverick (2022) is a better movie in dramatic and technical aspects. Both of them practically tell the same story.
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Behind the scenes
Thoughts about the reviews of others
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Top Gun, movie for the Top Gun series (1986)
image © Paramount Pictures Corporation (Viacom)
Uses for the film - Top Gun, movie (1986)
Plot
- Set in a then contemporary setting (1986).
- Specialists (F-14 aviators) receive an additional training (United States Navy Fighter Weapons School program).
- Rescue vehicles get attacked by enemy forces.
Scenes
- The flight deck scenes could be used to depict flight decks of the era (1980s).
- The training scenes could be used to show fighter plane training.
- The dogfight scenes could be used to depict early 1980s planes fighting.
Designs
Scenario ideas - Role-playing game scenario ideas
Specialist training: The characters are highly trained specialist in their profession. As circumstances change in their missions, they have to learn a new set of skills that compliment the ones they already have. They have to go to a special training. After they've finished training, they will be sent on missions that requires their new skills.
Scenario ideas - Wargame scenario ideas
Collecting intel: The attacker wants to scout the area. The defender wants to collect information about the attackers. Setup: The defender sets up the playing area, then the defender chooses an edge, that's going to be the entry point of the attackers. The opposing edge, and the opposing halves of the sides are the entry points of the defenders. The attacker has to reach the opposing edge, then return to their entry point. The defenders try to stop them from reaching the opposing edge, while trying to get close to the attackers to find out more about them. Both sides try to avoid direct confrontation, so they can't move into an area of one movement around enemy units. If an attacker makes an attack on a defender model, the defenders can also start to attack directly. Victory conditions: The game ends when there are no more units from one of the forces on the playing area. After this, assess the number of victory points the players have accumulated.
Scouting: Divide the opposing half of the playing area into zones - if it's not easily divided by terrain features, use a grid. 6-9 zones are probably enough. When an attacker unit sees into a zone, they can spend an action to observe it. Write down the zone and the observing attacker unit. If the unit steps into the zone, they can spend another action to inspect it. After the game ends, assess the observations of the surviving attacker units. Every different inspected zone earns them 100 victory points, observed zones earn them 20 points. They get double points for zones on the opposing edge. Every inspection about the same target earns them 10 points, every observation 2 points.
Collecting information: Every time a defender unit sees enemy units, they can spend an action to observe. Choose one character or squad, that's being observed. Write down the chosen target, how far away is it in movement distances, and who was the observing defender unit. If the defender unit makes an observation one movement closer than the previously written distance, the defender gets another point. After the game ends, assess the observations of the surviving defender units. Every observation about a different squad or character earns 5 victory points, multiplied by (10 minus the number of closest movement distance). Every observation about the same target earns an additional point, multiplied by (10 minus the number of closest movement distance). Every captured or defeated attacker earns 100 victory points.
Order for attack: Both players roll a d6 under a cup on a side table before the game starts. They check their own result, and they leave the dice under the cup. If the roll is 1-2, the player can reveal the roll any time, and attack the models of the other side.
Defeat the master: The master side has to defeat a less trained force. Setup: The master player sets up the playing area. Both sides use similar technology - vehicles, weapons and armour. The master side has lower numbers, but they are highly trained. The master side might have only one, extremely trained model. Victory conditions: The winner is the side that kills more than half of the other side.
Rescue the scouts: The attacker wants to rescue their units from the area of the defender. Setup: The defender sets up the playing area, and chooses the entry edge for the attacker. The attacker places the scouts in the middle of the playing area. If the scouts had transport (mounts, carts, flyers), it's now disabled, inoperative (exhausted, stuck in mud, out of fuel). The attacker places the rescue units on the entry edge. The defender can enter from the opposite edge, and from the neighbouring half side edges of the playing area. Both sides can choose to enter later, using reinforcements. Both sides try to avoid direct confrontation, so they can't move into an area of one movement around enemy units. If a unit makes an attack on an enemy unit, that side can also start to attack directly. Victory conditions: The attacker wins if more than half of the scouts leave the playing area, while more than half of the rescue team is still alive. The defender wins if they kill or capture more than half of the scouts, while more than half of their own forces remain alive.
Order for attack: Both players roll a d6 under a cup on a side table before the game starts. They check their own result, and they leave the dice under the cup. If the roll is 1-2, the player can reveal the roll any time, and attack the models of the other side.
Retrieve the transports (harder for the attacker): The attacker has to send specialist units to repair or recharge the transports. In order to win, the attacker has to leave the playing area with more than half of the transports, beyond other victory conditions.
Miniatures - 1/50-1/60 (28-32mm scale)
Aviators: Human-sized (S3) modern human soldiers in uniform.
Aviators in flight suit: Human-sized (S3) modern human aviators in flight suit.
Civilians: Human-sized (S3) modern (advanced) human female / male civilian.
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Similar stories - Top Gun, movie (1986)
Movies
Hot Shots! (1991): A parody movie, with several references to Top Gun.
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Frequently asked questions - Top Gun, movie (1986)
Is the Top Gun film based on a book or comics?
No, Top Gun is not based on either books or comics. It was inspired by Ehud Yonay's article, "Top Guns".
Is the Top Gun film a remake or reboot?
No, the Top Gun film is neither a remake nor a reboot.
Is there a post credit scene in Top Gun? Does Top Gun have end credit scenes? Does Top Gun have a post credit scene?
No, there's no post credit scene in Top Gun.
Where can I see Top Gun? What is Top Gun playing on? What streaming service is Top Gun on? Where can I watch Top Gun online? Is Top Gun available on Netflix? Is Top Gun on Amazon?
As of 2022.10.11, Top Gun is available on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, Microsoft Movies, Paramount+, Vudu, YouTube.
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Resources - Top Gun, movie (1986)
Official
Paramount Movies: Top Gun: Official article.
Information
IMDB: Top Gun (1986): Database article.
WikiPedia: Top Gun: Database article.
Letterboxd: Top Gun 1986: Database article.
Rotten Tomatoes: Top Gun 1986: Database article.
TVTropes: Film / Top Gun: Database article.
Creation
: Concept art article / video.¤
Reviews with no spoilers - Top Gun film (1986)
: Review article / video about the Top Gun film with no spoilers.¤
Reviews with spoilers - Top Gun film (1986)
: Review article / video of the Top Gun movie, with spoilers. Includes a very detailed plot summary.¤
Analysis - Top Gun movie (1986)
Ward Carroll (for Military.com): 79 Cringeworthy Errors in 'Top Gun': Analysis article, explaining the inaccuracies of Top Gun.¤
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Buying the product - Top Gun, movie (1986)
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Have you seen the Top Gun film for the Top Gun series? How do you like the movie? Would you recommend it to others? Do you know reviews or resources you'd like to add? What further thoughts do you have about it? Tell your opinion in the comments!
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