Classic 80s Movie: “Top Gun”
Today’s Classic 80s Movie guest post comes from Peter George.
Movie Title: Top Gun
Year: 1986
Writers: Jim Cash & Jack Epps
Lead Actors: Tom Cruise, Kelly McGillis, Anthony Edwards, Val Kilmer, Tom Skerrit, Michael Ironside
Director: Tony Scott
Plot Summary: An egotistic shit-hot Navy jet fighter pilot, gets promoted to lead pilot when his wing man freaks out by a close encounter with a Russian MiG, giving him a chance to prove he’s the ‘best of the best’ at ‘Top Gun’, an elite training academy for the US Navy’s top pilots. There, he must compete against his inner demons caused by the death of his fighter-pilot father when he was a child.
Why I Think This Is A Classic 80s Movie: If a classic movie is one that epitomizes an era, then Top Gun is the ‘best of the best’.
The 80s has been quoted as a time of ‘nonstop glamor, unchecked excess, ruthless ambition and explosive technological innovation’. Top Gun fits the bill perfectly and contributed it’s own inimitable elements to the era, with Ray Ban Aviator sunglasses the must have fashion accessory of the moment, combined of course with a ‘genuine’ Top Gun flight jacket.
The number one grossing movie of the year, it pulled in $356m worldwide (on a $15m budget), in a year of sequels such as Karate Kid II, Star Trek IV and Police Academy III. It also beat Aliens which only managed number 7 grossing a mere $86m.
And yet, despite the brazen outward shell, there’s more behind this movie than appears at first glance. It’s based on reality, for one thing. Producers Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer saw an article by Ehud Yonay called ‘Top Guns’ in the May 1983 issue of California magazine. They immediately saw a film based on larger than life pilots of the now famous Top Gun school.
Add to that a female lead who abuses her seniority to get a subordinate into bed, a pilot and his navigator who, clearly, do more than just fly a jet together and you could be forgiven for thinking this is set in more modern, enlightened times rather than 25 years before DADT was abolished by the US Navy.
Oh, and did I mention the four Oscar nominations, one of which won — best music, original song for the main theme ‘Take My Breath Away’.
In terms of cinematic experience, the flight sequences are incredible, especially if you experience the rumble of F-14A tomcat twin jet engines through cinema speakers. The soundtrack is as good as it gets, a perfect backdrop to the action. The film is nicely paced too, right up to the final dogfight scene where Russian MiGs surround Mav and his pals like flies. A few well timed missile shots later, combined with the old ‘bringing in him closer and putting on the brakes stunt’, and it’s not long until the remaining Ruskie bogies get cold feet and back off with their tails between their legs.
Don’t over analyze it, Top Gun at it’s heart is simply a fun, thrill-ride. As was the 80s.
To get the authentic experience — you can go to, wait for it — Russia and, for $15,000 they’ll take you up in a Mig 29 Fulcrum. At that price, I’d insist on the chance to try out your very own split-S (though it won’t look anything like the manoeuvre criticised by Charlie).
My Favorite Moment In The Movie: The scene between Maverick and Goose’s wife, after his death, when she hands him Gooses dog-tags. A touching, reflective moment, contrasting sharply with the rest of the movie.
My Favorite Dialogue In the Movie:
1: Merlin: What are you doing? You’re slowing down, you’re slowing down!
Maverick: I’m bringing him in closer, Merlin.
Merlin: You’re gonna do what?
2: Maverick: I’ll hit the brakes, he’ll fly right by.
3: Goose: Come on, Mav, do some of that pilot shit!
4: Maverick: It’s classified. I could tell you, but then I’d have to kill you.
Charlie: So, lieutenant, where exactly were you?
Maverick: Well, we…
Goose: Thank you.
Maverick: Started up on a 6, when he pulled from the clouds, and then I moved in above him.
Charlie: Well, if you were directly above him, how could you see him?
Maverick: Because I was inverted.
Iceman: [coughs whilst saying] Bullshit.
Goose: No, he was man. It was a really great move. He was inverted.
Charlie: You were in a 4g inverted dive with a MiG28?
Maverick: Yes, ma’am.
Charlie: At what range?
Maverick: Um, about two meters.
Goose: It was actually about one and a half I think. It was one and a half. I’ve got a great Polaroid of it, and he’s right there, must be one and a half.
Maverick: Was a nice picture.
Goose: Thanks.
Charlie: Eh, lieutenant, what were you doing there?
Goose: Communicating.
Maverick: Communicating. Keeping up foreign relations. You know, giving him the bird!
Goose: [Charlie looks puzzled, so Goose clarifies] You know, the finger
Charlie: Yes, I know the finger, Goose.
Goose: I-I’m sorry, I hate it when it does that, I’m sorry. Excuse me.
5: Stinger: Son, your ego is writing checks your body can’t cash
6: Air Boss Johnson: Two of your snot-nose jockeys did a fly-by on my tower at over 400 KNOTS! I want somebody’s butt, I want it now, I’ve HAD IT!
[storm out, then bumps into a Yeoman and spills coffee all over his pants]
Air Boss Johnson: DAMN! That’s TWICE! I WANT SOME BUTTS!
7: Viper: In case some of you are wondering who the best is, they are up here on this plaque. [turns to Maverick]
Do you think your name will be on that plaque?
Maverick: Yes, sir.
Viper: That’s pretty arrogant, considering the company you’re in.
Maverick: Yes, sir.
Viper: I like that in a pilot.
8: Maverick: I feel the need…
Maverick, Goose: …the need for speed!
9: Viper: Good morning, gentlemen, the temperature is 110 degrees.
Wolfman: Holy shit, it’s Viper!
Goose: Viper’s up here, great… oh shit…
Maverick: Great, he’s probably saying, “Holy shit, it’s Maverick and Goose.”
Goose: Yeah, I’m sure he’s saying that.
Key Things You Should Look For When Watching This Movie:
The final dog-fight scene with the 5 MiGs. It’s awesome.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvFc0EPRSI4
An early-career appearance by Tim Robbins who plays Maverick’s replacement RIO, Merlin, in the final dogfight scene. In case you wondered, RIO stands for Radar Intercept Officer (the guy in the back of the plane).
When different MiGs are shot down in the end climax — it’s clearly the same footage.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VN8ze3S0Uj8
Tomorrow: Another Classic 80s Movie!
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