Top Gun (1986)
TOMATOMETER
Critics Consensus: Though it features some of the most memorable and electrifying aereial footage shot with an expert eye for action, Top Gun offers too little for non-adolescent viewers to chew on when its characters aren't in the air.
Critics Consensus: Though it features some of the most memorable and electrifying aereial footage shot with an expert eye for action, Top Gun offers too little for non-adolescent viewers to chew on when its characters aren't in the air.
Trailer
Movie Info
Devil-may-care navy pilot Pete Mitchell (Tom Cruise) is sent to Miramar Naval Air Station for advanced training. Here he vies with Tom Kasansky (Val Kilmer) for the coveted "Top Gun" award. When not so occupied, Mitchell carries on a romance with civilian consultant Charlotte Blackwood (Kelly McGillis). Shaken up by the death of a friend, Mitchell loses the Top Gun honor to Kasansky. Worried that he may have lost his nerve, Mitchell is given a chance to redeem himself during a tense … More
- Rating:
- PG (adult situations/language, violence)
- Genre:
- Drama , Action & Adventure
- Directed By:
- Tony Scott
- Written By:
- Jack Epps, Jr. , Jim Cash
- In Theaters:
- May 16, 1986 Wide
- On DVD:
- Oct 20, 1998
- US Box Office:
- $3.0M
- Runtime:
Cast
as Lt. Pete `Maverick' ...
as Charlotte Blackwood
as Lt. Nick `Goose' Bra...
as Lt. Tom `Iceman' Kaz...
as Cdr. Mike `Viper' Me...
as Lt. Cdr. Heatherly `...
as Cougar
as Merlin
as Carole Bradshaw
as Chipper
as Wolfman
as Slider
as Hollywood
as Evan Gough
as Stinger
as Lieutenant Davis
as Air Boss Johnson
as Sprawl
as Inquiry Commander
as Bartender
as Perry Siedenthal
as Radio Operator
as Mrs. Metcalf
Related News & Features
-
Top Gun 2 Gets a New Writer
– Movies With Butter -
Jerry Bruckheimer Talks Top Gun Sequel
– Movies With Butter
Top Gun Videos
Friend Ratings
No Friends? Inconceivable! Log in to see what your friends have to say.
LoginCritic Reviews for Top Gun
All Critics (48) | Top Critics (9) | Fresh (26) | Rotten (22) | DVD (39)
You can argue that it's a cool movie, but is "Top Gun" a good movie? I'd definitely say "Hell no," topped with "Are you kidding me?"
The unashamedly goofy 1986 dogfighting classic flips on the afterburners to make yet another pass on Blu-ray, this time soaring into the third dimension.
It's still the same old Top Gun, retaining every frame of ridiculousness and emphatic acting that turned the Don Simpson/Jerry Bruckheimer production into a legend.
The 3D is impressive considering it wasn't shot for that, and the sound delivers full throttle engine roars and the legendary soundtrack sounds as crisp as ever.
If you missed it in theaters the first time, it's probably going to be the best movie theater experience you'll have so far this year.
An undeniably cheesy yet strangely appealing time capsule, with a little something for everyone provided we understand that it's all bubblegum.
There are elements that hold up - especially Cruise's blinding charisma. The aerial scenes are still thrilling, and perfectly suited to a giant screen. Everything else? Well, that depends on how nostalgic you're feeling.
The aerial sequences in Top Gun are as thrilling -- while remaining coherent -- as any ever put on film.
Watching Top Gun again twenty five years after its release is still a dazzling and dizzying experience. You are not so much on the edge of your seat as flung around it as the on-screen action endlessly spins and soars.
Basically perfect, even it is perfect at one of the worst sorts of things a movie can attempt.
Whether you love Top Gun or hate it -- or hate yourself for loving it -- the fact is that when it became the top-grossing film of 1986, Hollywood in its infinite wisdom took all of the worst lessons from its success and overlooked what made it so... fun.
Among the first generation of films influenced by the cutting techniques of music videos, a progression of oversaturated, meaty images, embarrassing dialogue and awful music.
Top Gun is about the training of the Navy's best fighter pilots and their blooding in cold war incidents, and the only thing Director Tony Scott has not brought up to date is the story.
This paean to hotshot Navy fighter pilots and high technology attracted mass audiences despite its familiar plot and characters so vapid they vanish from memory as soon as the house lights come up.
Every moment is hyped for maximum visual and visceral impact, but Scott doesn't display the slightest bit of interest (or belief) in the actual characters and situations.
Tom Cruise classic still revs engines.
Set in the world of naval fighter pilots, pic has strong visuals and pretty young people in stylish clothes and a non-stop soundtrack.
Watchable but rarely enthralling...
Like many films from its decade, Top Gun is steeped in 80s culture %u2013 from the top 40 music to the clothing styles.
(Its success) supports the pop-psych analysis that pre-actualized teenage boys are the most homosexual beings in existence.
Audience Reviews for Top Gun
Top Gun is a really good film, and is well worth watching. It is entertaining to watch, as something is always happening. Tom Cruise plays Maverick, a cocky pilot, who goes to Top Gun - for the best of the best. He is quite big headed, and gets the lady he likes .. eventually!!! There are some great moments in this play - funny, happy and sad. It has something for everyone - comedy, action, romance. It is really worth buying this film, as it is great to watch, however many times you have seen it. This film has stood the test of time. It came out about 20 years ago, and yet it is still enjoyed by many people. which just proves what a fantastic film it is! 4 Stars 2-1-2001 (Updated)
More
Super Reviewer
One can appreciate the film for being iconic, yet it is frustratingly bland and corny. Though Top Gun is full of action, nothing really happens, and the charming romance that inspires the classic hit "Take My Breath Away" becomes a vague, second-thought.
MoreSuper Reviewer
Super Reviewer
Top Gun has been hailed and adored by film fans and critics alike. This is a picture than boosted recruitment in the Navy. Everyone Talks about Top Gun as a fine action film that is just super cool. Well, it is, and isn't. There are things that work here and there like fun action scenes which is what this flick is all about, however most of the time relies on sketchy performances that really don't deliver anything effective to compliment the action. Rewatching Top Gun, I realize that it actually is a decent picture, but is never anything grand, or beyond enjoyable because everyone gives this one more praise than it actually deserves. This film is decent and fun, but in the long run there are far more accomplished action films out there than Top Gun. Half the time, I felt Iceman and Maverick were in love and it was OK, well I get it, now what? Let the rivalry cool off, before the happy ending with the high fives all around and hugs, and wicked quotes and to top it off an awesome sing along of you lost that lovin feeling. This was nonetheless a fun little flick, but it really lacks in terrific plot and effective character chemistry. Everything here is almost cringe worthy and this decent for what it is, but it's not anything special. As far as a guy flick is concerned, Top gun doesn't deliver as much as such outstanding classics as The Dirty Dozen, Alien, Blade Runner and Escape From New York. Fun, but leaves a lot to be desired. Tom Cruise made better films than this, and there are far superior movies out there than this. Tony Scott would also deliver better actioners and I think that despite all the fun, mindless action, Top Gun is truly overrated and doesn't deserve to be on a pedestal as "the greatest film ever made".
More
Super Reviewer
Top Gun Quotes
Discussion Forum
Discuss Top Gun on our Movie forum!