TOP GUN
US, 1986, 105 minutes, Colour.
Tom Cruise, Val Kilmer, Anthony Edwards, Kelly McGillis?, Meg Ryan, Tom Skerritt, Tim Robbins, John Stockwell, Barry Tubb, Rick Rossovich, Michael Ironside.
Directed by Tony Scott.
Top Gun was a very popular film of 1986. It focuses on the top fighter pilots trained by the American Navy. It harks back to the days of World War One and the small planes involved in aerial tactics and dogfights. After the experience of World War Two, Korea and Vietnam, the United States Navy wants a crack corps who will have the same personal skill, individual heroism and tactical manoeuvrability. There are many sequences, very well photographed, of aerial training and combat.
Tom Cruise (The Outsiders, All the Right Noises, Risky Business, Legend) is the genial hero, driven by his own abilities as well as comparisons with his father. Kelly McGillis? (Reuben Reuben, Witness) is the attractive instructor. There is very good support from Anthony Edwards (Heart Like a Wheel, Gotcha) and the supporting cast includes Val Kilmer (Top Secret, Real Genius). Direction is by Anthony Scott (The Hunger). (Tom Cruise worked for his brother Ridley Scott in Legend.)
Some commentators see the film as reflecting American jingoism of the '80s (as in many Chuck Norris actioners of the time, Delta Force, Invasion USA and such aggressive films as Iron Eagle as well as the Rambo films).
1. The impact of the film? its appeal? Americana? The United States of President Reagan? The '80s? Defence, attack? Technological development? American heroism?
2. Panavision photography, the quality of the aerial photography? The vividness, motion, combat, choreography of the planes? Life on the ship? Comparisons with the ordinary sequences of training, socialising? Musical score and mood?
3. The title and its reference to the Navy, Navy training? The skills of the top combatants? Experience, training and achievement?
4. The reliance on the planes, the 30 million dollar price on each plane? Skills, manoeuvrability, dangers, speed? The opening and the landings on the ship? The clash with the MIG and Maverick taking a photo of it? The training sequences, the skilled moves? The final combat, danger and reality?
5. The tradition of the aerial dogfight, World War One. planes, pilot heroes? Individual style? The reintroduction of this style in the '70s and '80s? With the new skills and technology? The pilots and their intuitions, responsibility, protection? The importance of code names like Maverick, Goose, Iceman, Cougar? The ethos and spirit of the pilots?
6. The focus on Maverick and Goose, their combat skill, Maverick and his risks, taking the photo of the MIG pilot? Helping Cougar down onto the boat? Attitudes towards authority? Their being able to go to Top Gun? Hopes and ambitions?
7. Pete Mitchell and his name Maverick? His love for his mother, the photo, memory of the song and the story for Charlie? His father, the mystery of his death? The officer finally explaining what happened to his father? Measuring himself by his father? Coming second? His own innate skills, intuition, daring, care for others? Danger? Showing off? His claim to be the best? The bond with Goose, friendship, the discussions about safety? The encounter with Charlie, the song and dance routine, her jokes at his expense, her being a lecturer, her fascination with his taking the photo of the MIG? Their verbal sparring, dinner, anger about her interpretation of his manoeuvres, her explanation after chasing him, the brief affair? Social life, the bar, Goose and his extrovert wife? The relationship with Iceman and his team, their coolness, rivalry? Attitudes towards danger? The bypass and the authorities criticising him? The training, the skills he showed, ingenuity in manoeuvres? The rules? The volleyball game? The accident, ejecting, Goose's death? Responsibility, his going to his wife? His encounter with Charlie, going to the officer, discussing his father's death? His not winning the top post? Going to service on the ship, action, protecting Iceman, his skills and techniques in outmanoeuvring the Russians? His fame? The acknowledgement on board the ship, reconciliation with Iceman? A young hero, skills, the American hero?
8. Goose as pleasant character, efficient, trusting Maverick, careful, the discussions about safety, enjoying the risks? His wife and child? Enjoying their company? The pathos of his death? The sketch of his wife, her liveliness, her grief, accepting her husband's death?
9. Charlie and her ability, the jokes on Maverick, her lecturing. analysis of manoeuvres and planes, her fascination with the MIG incident, the complicated affair, sparring with Maverick, the affair, his going without saying goodbye, her challenging him, her return?
10. Iceman and his crew, skills, keeping their cool, rivalry, winning? In combat?
11. Cougar and his fear, resigning? The range of Pilots? Their interactions? Ethos?
12. The instructors, their experience, training, support? Their estimate of their pupils?
13. The social background, the human characters ? more than in an ordinary action story?
14. Conflict with the Russians, the American attitudes towards the Russians in the '80s, the incident in the Indian Ocean, the seeming preparation for a war mentality? American heroism in this context?
