Review of Top Gun (1986) by Soloyt — 01 Aug 2021

I watched this film for the first time last night in preparation for its highly anticipated sequel. Now if I were to have seen this grace the big screen back in the 80s I may have a sense of nostalgia or maybe would have gabbed at the high flying spectacle indulged throughout its runtime, however it seems to exist only for the novelty of showcasing the dog fights, which to the films credit are for the most part pretty engaging and are quite impressive considering the limitations of its time.

The main shortcoming with this film however is that it chooses to focus to much on the spectacle that it fails to develop most of its cast beyond one or two characteristics. This especially hurts the film when Maverick's co-pilot and friend Goose (Anthony Edwards), tragically perishes in training.

For the next good bit of the movie Maverick (Tom Cruise) is in mourning, as he should be, however the audience isn't actively mourning with him. We didn't get to know Goose, or really anyone else at all, beyond service level which makes it nearly impossible to buy into the characters relationships.

Maverick does go on a bit of an arc, and there are some nice moments between him and his bitter rival Ice Man (Val Kilmer), following Goose's accident, but even there rivalry felt undeveloped. Likewise the romance between Maverick and his instructor and Pentagon adviser Charlotte (Kelly McGillis) is rushed and only comes to a head only because Maverick is unable to take no for an answer.

All in all it isn't a horrible film, but it isn't the classic that others would claim it is either.