Top Gun

The original Top Gun is an insipid producer’s movie that, apart from Bruckheimer, is taken seriously today only by Tom Cruise. Even Tony Scott, in a documentary about the making of the film, spitefully admits that some of the film’s scenes (e.g. the volleyball match) were softcore porn conceived under the influence of Bruce Weber’s photographs of semi-nude young men. And we won’t find much more plot or intelligence in Top Gun than we would in a porn flick. The plot, which barely holds together, is one cheesily shot nothingburger after another, all accompanied by rock music. There is no greater conflict to keep you glued to your seat. The main draw is the aerial scenes, which couldn’t have been made without support from the aviation arm of the U.S. Navy, which in return got its most expensive and professionally produced recruitment video ever (which worked, as interest in the profession of flight instructor increased rapidly after the premiere). Handsome young actors size up each other’s egos in machines worth tens of millions of dollars, behave irresponsibly and endanger the lives of others, but instead of being punished, they are praised for their courage and creativity. Top Gun isn’t too far from that, but it’s still not one of those films that are so stupid that they are entertaining. It’s just passively, harmlessly stupid and, in a number of respects, it is essentially just a 1980s popcorn flick. 50% (05/24/2022)

It’d been many years since I saw Top Gun. So, the time had come to watch the movie once again after I was given a long and exhausting speech by the user Enšpígl to see whether what he was saying is true. However, I believe that his review is affected by the time he saw the movie. After the fall of the communist regime, at a time of euphoria and joy. I mean seeing Top Gun in the cinema must have felt akin to a gift from gods at that time. And I totally get that. It’s a pity I cannot see it this way. Anyways, Tom Cruise as the Maverick and the excellent music speak volumes. Tony Scott always knew very well what kind of movie he wanted to shoot. Thus, Top Gun will forever remain his most honest movie with everything that entails. And that soundtrack will be popular forever. (10/18/2014)

They are beautiful and young, and they have dicks of steel. This is a really lame US Air Force recruitment film with a hideous theme song. Even out of nostalgia I can't give it more than one white star, but more heroic aviators don't need that anyway... (02/01/2004)

A superficially attractive propagandistic film that was certainly ordered and paid for by the US army, including all the clichés and depictions of dull patriotism. On the other hand, Tom and his girlfriend both look really good in it. Overall impression: 20%. (01/08/2009)

Top Gun is able to impress everyone. There is no doubt that it has many flaws, but only very few people are able to see through this film. From the statements of the creators and actors it should be clear that Top Gun is not and should not be seen as realistic. It is evident how much fun everyone had during the filming, as proven by the many many stories and bloopers. It is the 1980s, with different priorities and filmmakers followed different guidelines that are no longer in fashion today. However, if a you can transport yourself to that time, clear your mind and nostalgically reminisce, you will be warmed by a pleasant feeling. The Excellent music, the actors, and the action scenes that Tony Scott worked so diligently to film have not lost any of their appeal. A brilliant masterpiece with one of the best love scenes and a sunset filmed hundreds of times. (01/19/2006)

After the iconic Hot Shots, this is basically my second encounter with Top Gun. I would have probably ignored if it wasn't for the sequel, which is currently receiving praise from all sides. Top Gun is an 80s movie with all the trimmings, which has its advantages and disadvantages. Maverick is the quintessential example of an arrogant, self-centred, ruthless macho man, but – as it happens – he has his weaknesses, as evidenced by his relationship with Charlie and Goose. From a technical point of view, it is a solidly made film, brimming with badass action and more than one decent sequence, but the script is a rather mediocre affair that may not appeal to everyone. Alongside that characteristic 80s machismo, heroism and romance, the amazing theme song “Take My Breath Away” is an integral part of the film. If I had seen the film when it was released, I would have certainly given it a higher rating, but now it's worth a better three stars. (05/27/2022)

Of course, it's actually just an action romance and nothing really special, a romance that tries to appear quite tough, but not too sexy to be accessible to a majority audience. However, that film still has an unbelievable drive to it, and in the air, it's simply a ballad. It's just a shame that the whole movie is one big cliché. But Tony Scott knew how to get things moving in a proper rhythm. (01/22/2016)

The ultimate guilty pleasure. A film so military/American in every way that perhaps it could best be described with the slightly pejorative term "army porn". But what's the use, when it was one of the first films I was scouring video stores for in the early 90s and saw for the first time when I was about 10 years old. It just sticks with you. And of course, I wanted to be like Maverick back then. Now, years later, I've seen it again on Blu-ray in the original version (the original Czech dub is not on Blu-ray, of course) and it might be blasphemy, but it hasn't aged a day for me. American ultra-patriotism in 80s retro styling under Tony Scott's exceptionally slick and intoxicating visuals. (11/04/2018)