Movie Review: Top Gun

While 'Top Gun' isn't my all time favourite Tony Scott movie, hearing he had taken his own life was crushing. Tony Scott had entertained me since I was a little boy who had no idea someone called a "director" made movies. Years later, a moment I'm sure many of you have felt, I made the connection: wait, all these awesome movies are "by" the same one guy? Impossible!

As we all know by now, 'Top Gun' tells the story of Peter Mitchell (Tom Cruise, cementing his stardom) and his quest to be number one at an elite Navy fighter pilot school called, what else, Top Gun. But Mitchell, call sign Maverick, is a bit of a troublemaker, constantly pushing the rules, riding the edge of what's safe, and finding love in inappropriate places (like admirals' daughters and civilian instructors). He might be the best pilot in the group, but his recklessness threatens to undermine greatness. Only when facing a great personal loss that makes him lose his confidence, can Maverick rebuild himself, face his demons, and become the Top Gun hero he always wanted to be.

It's easy to look at 'Top Gun' and see only elements that scream '80s film. There's the synthesizer score, the platinum-selling Kenny Loggins soundtrack, the rah-rah American spirit, and a beach volleyball montage. I get it. I'm not saying it's a perfect movie, but despite being a product of its time, I would argue that 'Top Gun' is damn fine cinema.

The key to 'Top Gun' is that it completely lacks cynicism. Think about it. A mighty country with the world's most powerful armed forces is between wars. Petrol is cheap again. Terrorism is limited to "far away". Suburbia keeps expanding. America still makes STUFF. And a new generation of directors is pumping out escapist fantasies in the new blockbuster era. I don't mean to imply that everything's perfect for everyone, or that today sucks, but it was a pretty good time and entertainment reflects a general, cultural mindset.

'Top Gun' is a perfect example of such escapist, action melodrama. And, if we wanted to write an essay, we could probably argue that Maverick represents America at the time, brash, bold, dangerous, the best of the best. Maverick and America could do anything. And like many little boys out there watching 'Top Gun' on VHS (and TV), who wouldn't want to be the best fighter pilot of all time? Hell yeah I did.

That's why 'Top Gun' is awesome. Tom Cruise, for all his shenanigans in the last few years, he is The Man here. But he's not perfect. Nope. Maverick has to grow, has to learn which rules to follow and which to smash. Most of all, he needs to realise there are more important things than his own selfish bullshit. And you know what? When Maverick figures that out, tragically a little too late, when he puts his talent together with drive and hard work, when he pushes back against fear, he saves the motherfucking day. It doesn't always happen like that in the real world, of course, but it's a pretty awesome lesson.

Oh, and let's not forget the all star cast. Val Kilmer as Ice Man. Anthony Edwards before 'E.R.' Meg Ryan in one of her first roles. Tom Skerritt before he moved to 'Picket Fences'. Michael Ironside from 'V' and 'Total Recall'. Hell, there's even a Tim Robbins cameo as Merlin.

And finally, Jerry Bruckheimer and Don Simpson collaborating with Tony Scott. Bruckheimer remains the blockbuster king, a mini-studio in TV and movies, but this was the start of his action era. This man, through giving Tony Scott and Michael Bay chances, was a driving force behind '80s and '90s action cinema. Then there is Mr Scott himself, who grabs hold of his audience, straps them into an F-14, and launches them off an aircraft carrier, slowing only to make us care for the characters. Every modern action movie is, even in a small way, a direct decedent of 'Top Gun'. Sure, there have been a lot of bad knockoffs, and one could argue whether or not these changes - shaky cam, machine gun editing etc.. have actually made movies better. But the change, the evolution, remains regardless.

I'll end with this, your welcome to hate on 'Top Gun'. You're welcome to think it's silly and shallow. Hell, you're welcome to not even care because it's only a movie. But I, for one, love this movie. It's fun, action-packed, filled with great actors delivering solid performances from a perfectly structured screenplay, and made a lasting impact on American culture and the language of cinema. But, sadly, it's also a reminder that one of Hollywood's most interesting voices will sing no more.

Top Gun - Movie Trailer