Top Gun - 1986

1986 Looked good on Tom and Kelly

Everyone has heard of Top Gun. It was a major hit, what is it doing on this site? If you read the rules there are not supposed to be blockbusters here. Hidden gems, forgotten rarities. Well time is beginning to forget this Tom Cruise classic. I have met 2 young folks; over 18 under 30; who have never seen this movie. I uttered the famous movie line, "You can be my wing-man any time." they both looked at me with confusion. Neither had seen this movie. They need to.

If you haven't seen it; its time to buckle and go to the "Danger Zone" (This is the name and catch phrase of the famous Kenny Loggins theme song to the movie). So you've got Navy fighter pilots going to a elite school for the best of the best that ultimately have a competition to determine a winner. Its book ended by live enemy combat; pilot anxiety, and a love story with Kelly MckGillis and countless quotable lines.

Did I mention shirtless Val Kilmer

This is not a guys only movie. Ladies will enjoy the love story with Cruise and McGillis but also the volleyball match featuring a very young and shirtless Val Kilmer. Anthony Edwards (when he had hair), Meg Ryan, Tim Robbins, Tom Skerritt, and Michael Ironside help support the leads in a somewhat lean script but the action sequences make up for it.

As a date movie this works. Its got action and love; hot shirtless guys, fighter jets and aircraft carriers. As a family movie its iffy. There is a love scene and some violence. Nothing gratuitous but for kids 12 and under I'd exercise some parental discretion.

See below for viewing options (Psst, this one is on Netflix) and take a look tonight.

Because I was inverted.