Top Gun

Howdy. You know I once turned down an opportunity to watch Top Gun on the big screen, back in '86. I was eight years at the time, hanging in California with my Aunt and Uncle on a family vacation. Well, I declined the opportunity. To this day it is one of my biggest regrets. I never saw Top Gun on the big screen.

Top Gun is the greatest movie of all time. The movie inspires, it thrills, it excites, it rewards the American soul, and perhaps most importantly, it romances.

Has any other movie claimed these qualities, THE qualities of any movie? No. Top Gun is the greatest.

Made for showing in '86, this movie has tremendous special effects, notably the aerial shots of the "dogfighting." Of course, I'm a guy; I would start with the "action," yes?

Well, honestly, in this case, yes, and you're taking from a guy who loves romantic comedies. This movie FLIES. But it wouldn't be complete, it wouldn't suck us in if it didn't have that all-important element--romance. Pete "Maverick" Mitchell (Cruise) and call-sign "Charlie" (Kelly McGillis) add the romantic element that keeps the movie off balance, right up until the end. The only break in the action of their romance is, arguably, the best part of the movie, where justice is done by the Americans against the forces of evil. Without ruining the conclusion of the movie, I'd like to say that 'all pieces of the puzzle come together.'

The action, the fighter jets, the Top Gun competition, the masculine humor with its ignorance and audacity, the humbling romance, the comedy in between all, and the conclusion, THE SCRIPT, of this movie, make TOP GUN THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME!!

When this movie was first released, being a fighter pilot was not every kids dream, you had to have somebody close to you being in the airforce or being himself a pilot. After this movie I do not know about the rest of the world but in Greece the applications for the fighter pilot academy were boosted 300%. Every kid wanted to behave like Maverick in the film! I also was influenced by it that is why I serve my country as a fighter pilot!

Despite being a true American film where everything is idealised its a very realistic portrayal of air combat (as close as a film can get) and the general behaviour of fighter pilots at the beginning of their career (fast cars, fast women, going Mach 2). In addition to that I personally think that even the aircraft (Grumman F-14 Tomcat) helped the audiences eyes too.

Top gun, loved and loathed by many alike. The film that launched Tom Cruise's career. Tom Cruise's performance is stellar, playing a role that he would end up playing again and again as the overconfident 'Maverick' who eventually learns his lesson. Top Gun is a high quality, visually stunning film that does all it can to take your breath away.

Parts of the story are overly cheesy and clich d. The proud to be American theme is dire, repetitive and anyone who dislikes over patriotism in films will despise this.

However, Top Gun is a fun movie, one of those oh-so 80s films that defined their era - it's usually found in the same collection as Ferris Bueller, The Goonies, St.Elmo's Fire, Dirty Dancing and that sort of stuff.

If you haven't seen the movie you really are missing out on an 80s classic. Tom Cruise at his best, Val Kilmer as Ice Man and a sound track that is still awesome today.

All in all, a brilliant movie. After all these years it's stil my no.1.

I suggest everyone watch it again, and if you havn't, I say dude!!! Quick do it now!!

How much do I love Top Gun?? Surely no movie collection is complete without this gem. When it first came out I think I was about 6. Watching it back now it seems a lot more cheesy than I remember it, but it's still brilliant. Seeing as you can get it so cheap now on DVD you have to own it!