You've got that lovin' feeling (Top Gun (DVD))

Member Name: linzeelou

Product:	Top Gun (DVD)
Date:	04/09/09 (45 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Amazing cast

Disadvantages: Kelly McGillis

Top gun is a 1986 action/ romance film that was produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and Don Simpson. The screenplay was based on an article, 'Top Guns', written for the California Magazine. The film is rated 15 due to frequent mild language, war violence and one very tame sex scene and is 105 minutes long.

Plot
When Cougar, one of the top Navy Fighter Pilots gives in his wings, Pete 'Maverick' Mitchell and his flight partner, Goose are chosen to go to the school for the elite, Top Gun. Mavericks superior isn't exactly pleased to be sending them because he knows Maverick is a quick tempered, hot shot who is always getting himself into trouble.

As soon as Maverick and Goose get to Top Gun, Maverick makes a rival, breaks two rules of engagement and tests his instructors' patience and falls for a civilian instructor, Charlie, all in one day. Maverick wants to be the best and is quite sure that he already is, but his reckless flying doesn't gain him any points with anyone. His father was also a fighter pilot with a bad reputation and Maverick isn't doing anything in order to be any different. When a tragedy happens, Maverick takes all the blame and totally gives up but who will be able to talk some sense into him?

Cast
Tom Cruise - Lt. Pete 'Maverick' Mitchell
Kelly McGillis - Charlotte 'Charlie' Blackwood
Val Kilmer - Lt. Tom 'Ice Man' Kazansky
Anthony Edwards - Lt. (j.g.) Nick 'Goose' Bradshaw
Tom Skerritt - Cmdr. Mike 'Viper' Metcalf
Meg Ryan - Carol Bradshaw
Michael Ironside - Lt. Cmdr. Rick 'Jester' Heatherly
John Stockwell - Lt. Bill 'Cougar' Cortell
Barry Tubb - Lt.(j.g.) Leonard 'Wolfman' Wolfe

No Special Features

My Opinion
Top Gun is one of the most famous films from the 80's and I still don't think it has dated. Yes, it is a bit cheesier than we are used to now, but it is still fantastic and one of the great love stories. This has been one of my favourite films for years and it will always probably be in my top 10.

The plot moves along and a very nice pace and there are no boring or slow parts (maybe the love story for the men though). As a girl, I would have maybe liked to have seen a bit more when it came to Maverick and Charlie but it wasn't a big deal. The action/ flying scenes are extremely impressive and after going on the Top Gun ride at Canada's Wonderland, I got to feel a little of what it would have been like in one of those planes.

My favourite scene was where the Top Gun pilots are playing volleyball but that was mainly because of all the hot, sweaty men with their shirts off. Putting that aside, I thought that scene really showed all of the testosterone that the pilots had and the competitiveness within them.

I love Tom Cruise's earlier work and this was the first film I ever saw him in and was immediately amazed. Cruise managed to show different emotions when it came to Charlie, his Dad and Goose and he really made you feel for his character. On the other hand, it is clear that Maverick is a 'man's man' and he is determined to be the best, even if it means breaking the rules and the rivalry between him and Iceman, played by Val Kilmer, was quite amusing.

I may be one of the few people that didn't love Kelly McGillis is this film. While she was quick and witty, I found her performance quite flat at times and I wasn't surprised to learn that she didn't become a star like Tom Cruise did after this film. She wasn't bad, but she wasn't fantastic for me either.

The soundtrack is one of the things that make this film what it is. The music fits perfectly with each scene and really help to give a feeling of excitement or romance at the right points. With songs like Danger Zone, Take My Breath Away and You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling, this is one of the best soundtracks to a film. I'm not one to buy CD's very often, but this is the perfect companion to the film.

I would recommend this film to anyone and is a great 80's classic, however, I don't think that the 15 classification is justified and I think it would have been OK as a 12.

Summary: 80's classic