Top Gun
3/4
Starring: Tom Cruise, Kelly McGillis, Anthony Edwards, Tom Skerritt, Val Kilmer, Michael Ironside, James Tolkan
Rated PG for Action, Language and Some Sexuality (I guess...)
"Top Gun" defines the word "cool." The stars are hotter than hot, the action is exciting, and then there are those sunglasses. No wonder this movie was a hit when it was released in 1986!
Maverick (Cruise) and his wingman, Goose (Edwards) are two of the most talented pilots in the world. They're also as reckless as they are skilled, pulling moves so daring and so insane that the only reason they aren't punished is because they're so good. In fact, their commander (Tolkan) is (reluctantly) sending them to Top Gun, where they will be trained with the best of the best in aerial dogfighting. There, their skills make them fierce competitors, but as a fellow pilot named Iceman (played with a delicious chill by Kilmer), warns Maverick, his belief in his invincibility is dangerous. Maverick also gets hot with his instructor, a bombshell named Charlie (McGillis).
While the movie doesn't feature a lot of bullets and explosions, that doesn't mean it's devoid of action. Far from it in fact. There are lots of scenes of planes zooming everywhere and lots of adrenaline. They're sometimes confusing, since the late Tony Scott has trouble establishing who is where from time to time. Still, they're a lot of fun.
The performances work as well. Tom Cruise was in his heyday when this movie was released, but this cemented his stardom. This is one of those instances where the actor is so right for the part that it's impossible to imagine anyone else taking the role. With his flashy and mischievous smile and his likability, Cruise is perfect for the role. He has good chemistry with the red-hot Kelly McGillis (who, ironically, came out as a lesbian in 2009). Their romance is shortchanged, but their chemistry makes up for it a little bit. Character actor Antony Edwards provides good support as Goose, showing the talent that would make him a TV star 8 years later on "ER." Val Kilmer radiates a presence that's antagonistic, but not villainous. He's a fierce competitor, and Kilmer plays him as such. Actually, Kilmer didn't want to appear in the film, but had to because of contractual obligations. Tom Skerritt is in fine form as the wise instructor. James Tolkan is terrific in the small role of the cigar chomping commander in the film's opening and closing scenes.
"Top Gun" is arguably Tony Scott's most famous film, although not his best (in my opinion, that distinction goes to either "Unstoppable" or "Enemy of the State"). Still, it looks awesome, and it's never boring. In short, it's a lot of fun.
About the 3D re-release: "Top Gun" is a movie that needs to be seen on as big of a screen as possible. With the 3D re-releases of a few other movies, one would hope that a monster hit like "Top Gun" would have been better served than this. In short, the conversion is awful. The color is darkened to the point where it looks like it it was played on a VCR. And I saw it in IMAX. If you're that desperate to see it on a big screen, go ahead, but otherwise, stick to your Blu Ray player.
Starring: Tom Cruise, Kelly McGillis, Anthony Edwards, Tom Skerritt, Val Kilmer, Michael Ironside, James Tolkan
Rated PG for Action, Language and Some Sexuality (I guess...)
"Top Gun" defines the word "cool." The stars are hotter than hot, the action is exciting, and then there are those sunglasses. No wonder this movie was a hit when it was released in 1986!
Maverick (Cruise) and his wingman, Goose (Edwards) are two of the most talented pilots in the world. They're also as reckless as they are skilled, pulling moves so daring and so insane that the only reason they aren't punished is because they're so good. In fact, their commander (Tolkan) is (reluctantly) sending them to Top Gun, where they will be trained with the best of the best in aerial dogfighting. There, their skills make them fierce competitors, but as a fellow pilot named Iceman (played with a delicious chill by Kilmer), warns Maverick, his belief in his invincibility is dangerous. Maverick also gets hot with his instructor, a bombshell named Charlie (McGillis).
While the movie doesn't feature a lot of bullets and explosions, that doesn't mean it's devoid of action. Far from it in fact. There are lots of scenes of planes zooming everywhere and lots of adrenaline. They're sometimes confusing, since the late Tony Scott has trouble establishing who is where from time to time. Still, they're a lot of fun.
The performances work as well. Tom Cruise was in his heyday when this movie was released, but this cemented his stardom. This is one of those instances where the actor is so right for the part that it's impossible to imagine anyone else taking the role. With his flashy and mischievous smile and his likability, Cruise is perfect for the role. He has good chemistry with the red-hot Kelly McGillis (who, ironically, came out as a lesbian in 2009). Their romance is shortchanged, but their chemistry makes up for it a little bit. Character actor Antony Edwards provides good support as Goose, showing the talent that would make him a TV star 8 years later on "ER." Val Kilmer radiates a presence that's antagonistic, but not villainous. He's a fierce competitor, and Kilmer plays him as such. Actually, Kilmer didn't want to appear in the film, but had to because of contractual obligations. Tom Skerritt is in fine form as the wise instructor. James Tolkan is terrific in the small role of the cigar chomping commander in the film's opening and closing scenes.
"Top Gun" is arguably Tony Scott's most famous film, although not his best (in my opinion, that distinction goes to either "Unstoppable" or "Enemy of the State"). Still, it looks awesome, and it's never boring. In short, it's a lot of fun.
About the 3D re-release: "Top Gun" is a movie that needs to be seen on as big of a screen as possible. With the 3D re-releases of a few other movies, one would hope that a monster hit like "Top Gun" would have been better served than this. In short, the conversion is awful. The color is darkened to the point where it looks like it it was played on a VCR. And I saw it in IMAX. If you're that desperate to see it on a big screen, go ahead, but otherwise, stick to your Blu Ray player.
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