TOP GUN (1986) – A Carson Kelly Review

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Originally written on: May 20, 2022

By Carson J. Kelly

“I feel the need… the need for speed.”

Some films define an era, shape a generation, and leave an unmistakable echo in the halls of cinematic history. Top Gun, released in 1986 and directed by the late Tony Scott, is exactly that type of film. With Tom Cruise’s breakout performance as the brash, confident naval aviator Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, and a soundtrack that refuses to age, Top Gun doesn’t just entertain it soars.

Though I originally wrote this review on May 20, 2022, decades after its release, the emotional weight, stylistic bravado, and sky-blazing energy of Top Gun are still as exhilarating as ever. This film, with all its charm, adrenaline, and cool-factor, truly ranks as one of the greatest pieces of 1980s American cinema and one of Tom Cruise’s most iconic performances.

🎖️ The Maverick Spirit: A New Era of Cool

When Top Gun hit theaters, it didn’t just showcase Navy jets it introduced a new archetype of American masculinity. Cruise’s portrayal of Maverick wasn’t just about cocky smiles and high-speed dogfights—it was about inner conflict, legacy, pride, and redemption. Maverick is daring, reckless, but he’s also vulnerable. That duality is what makes him magnetic.

Cruise brought youth, charisma, and intensity to the role. Even with his rebellious streak, Maverick is deeply likable. He’s the underdog who pushes boundaries not out of arrogance, but out of a hunger to be better. And isn’t that something we can all relate to?

✈️ The Aerial Ballet: Action Meets Art

The flight sequences in Top Gun are nothing short of stunning. Filmed with real fighter jets and cutting-edge aerial cinematography for its time, every dogfight is both thrilling and elegant, a dance in the sky. The roaring engines, the blinding sunsets, and the G-force-induced tension bring the audience right into the cockpit.

Tony Scott’s direction ensures that these scenes never feel repetitive. Each one pushes Maverick further, both physically and emotionally. We’re not just watching jets fly, we’re watching growth, fear, camaraderie, and redemption unfold in the skies above the Pacific.

🎵 Danger Zone: The Soundtrack That Soared

Few films boast a soundtrack as memorable as Top Gun. Kenny Loggins' “Danger Zone” remains one of the most iconic tracks of the 1980s, practically synonymous with high-octane flight. Berlin’s “Take My Breath Away” adds a romantic tension to the film, capturing the push-and-pull between Maverick and Charlie (played by Kelly McGillis).

Harold Faltermeyer’s score is synth-laced and evocative, laying a perfect audio foundation beneath the adrenaline-pumping and emotional beats of the movie. It's hard to imagine Top Gun without its music so intrinsic is the soundtrack to the film's identity.

❤️ Love, Loss, and Loyalty

Behind the machismo and competition lies a surprisingly heartfelt story. The chemistry between Maverick and Charlie, a civilian flight instructor, is fiery yet restrained. Their romance adds depth to Maverick’s arc, especially as he struggles with the weight of his father’s military legacy.

But it's Maverick’s bond with Goose (Anthony Edwards) that delivers the emotional gut punch. Their friendship is the heart of the film. Goose is the loyal co-pilot, the family man, the grounding force to Maverick’s impulsive nature. When tragedy strikes, it’s heartbreaking not just for Maverick but for the audience who grew to love their dynamic.

This moment, this loss is the turning point. It shatters Maverick and strips away the swagger, forcing him to confront fear, doubt, and mortality. It’s what elevates Top Gun from being just another action film to a deeply human story.

🌅 A Legacy That Refuses to Fade

Top Gun became more than just a movie it became a movement. It inspired a whole generation to dream of flying, to embrace confidence, to ride motorcycles with aviators on. It changed the way action movies were filmed. It reinvigorated military recruiting in the U.S. Navy. It helped cement Tom Cruise as a bona fide superstar.

Even decades later, the film continues to inspire with fans revisiting it before the release of Top Gun: Maverick, a sequel that honors the legacy while launching into a new age. And though the sequel pushes the envelope further, it all began with this 1986 classic.

📝 Final Thoughts

Watching Top Gun feels like opening a time capsule filled with adrenaline, heart, and unmatched style. It is a perfect storm of compelling characters, innovative filmmaking, and unforgettable music. Whether it’s your first watch or your fiftieth, the film never loses its grip.

For me, Top Gun isn’t just one of the best films Tom Cruise has ever done it’s a cinematic landmark. It captures something magical about ambition, risk, and what it means to fly higher than anyone expects.

My Rating:
⭐ 10/10
⭐ 5/5 Stars

Top Gun remains, without question, an all-around amazing film.

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