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Top Gun
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Top Gun (1986) -- The macho students of an elite US Flying school for advanced fighter pilots compete to be best in the class, and one romances the teacher.
Top Gun (1986) -- Trailerfan.com - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
6.5/10   74,647 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 5% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
Ehud Yonay (article)
Jim Cash (written by) ...
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Contact:
View company contact information for Top Gun on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
16 May 1986 (USA) more
Genre:
Tagline:
From the Producers of Beverly Hills Cop and Flashdance [UK Theatrical] more
Plot:
The macho students of an elite US Flying school for advanced fighter pilots compete to be best in the class, and one romances the teacher. full summary | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
Won Oscar. Another 8 wins & 5 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(209 articles)
User Reviews:
Entertaining no brainer more (306 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
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Additional Details

Also Known As:
Top Guns (USA) (working title)
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Runtime:
110 min
Country:
Language:
Colour:
Colour (Metrocolor)
Aspect Ratio:
2.20 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) | Dolby (35 mm prints)

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Giorgio Moroder wrote most of the music for the songs on the soundtrack. Tom Whitlock, who wrote the majority of the lyrics to these songs, was actually the mechanic who worked on Moroder's sports car. more
Goofs:
Revealing mistakes: After the final dogfight, when the flight deck crew celebrates Maverick and Merlin's return, civilian clothing (a collared shirt, or golf shirt) can be seen under Tim Robbins' flight suit. In reality, depending on the weather, flight crew wear either a t-shirt or turtle-necked, long sleeved shirt under the flight suit. Tim Robbins' looks like he simply put on his flight suit over his street clothes prior to shooting the scene. more
Quotes:
[first lines]
Flight Captain: Good morning, Scott.
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Movie Connections:
Referenced in Movie Music Mania (2005) (TV) more
Soundtrack:
Great Balls of Fire more

FAQ

Which motorcycle does Tom Cruise ride in the movie?
Why aren't more F14's launched for the final dog-fight against the Migs at the end of the film? It seems a little silly to only send up two with Maverick in reserve.
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17 out of 27 people found the following review useful.
Entertaining no brainer, 3 November 2005
6/10
Author: Lt_Coffey_182 from Portsmouth, England

Top Gun is a high quality, visually stunning film that does all it can to take your breath away. It is the excellently choreographed dog fights that remain in the mind longer than anything as they are high octane, dazzling bursts of excitement which bring the film to life. However, fighter jet sequences do not make a film and it is the plot where Top Gun has some occasional problems.

Parts of the story are overly cheesy and clichéd. The proud to be American theme is dire, repetitive and anyone who dislikes over patriotism in films will despise this. The story line involving Tom Cruise and Tom Skerrit approaches boredom and is the pinnacle of Top Gun's cheese. 'Cheese' is OK, as long as it is not serious and that is where that specific story line falls flat. The fun cheesy parts are some of the films best moments. The volleyball scene is truly a classic and the four actors involved are genuinely enjoying themselves. The relationship between Tom Cruise and Anthony Edwards is also very moving at times and the dynamic they have makes for great viewing.

The acting is what saves Top Gun from being Tinsel town garbage. Tom Cruise launched his career with this film. His cocky smile makes him perfect for this role and Cruise does fantastically at portraying a determined, passionate character. It is the emotional scenes where Cruise really sets himself apart from his peers. Cruise provides the few scenes where the audience are made to feel any emotion and he carries out his responsibility creditably. Anthony Edwards as Goose is also effective as the man who takes second spot to Cruise's Maverick. He is instantly popular with the audience with his wit, humour and charm. Val Kilmer and Rick Rossovich are great as the rivals. They play off each other really well and do a fantastic job to personify arrogance. Michael Ironside does what he does best and once again, manages to go through a whole film without smiling.

The story between Cruise and Kelly McGillis is very romantic and sensual. The heat between them is conveyed very well on screen and it is this that sets Top Gun above films such as Iron Eagle and Chuck Norris films.

Berlin's 'Take My Breath Away' is a song that still gets a good deal of airplay and suits this film to perfection; it's cheesy and its 80s. The music is very effective at setting the mood and complements the feel of the film.

Top Gun is a film that achieves its objectives, to entertain. If you're looking for intelligent writing or mass thought provocation, this film isn't for you. Top Gun is best suited to those who desire to switch off their brain and enjoy.

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Top Gun (1986)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Why did Goose have a camera in the plane? petekrug17
Charlie is a civilian contractor, so you don't salute her... bripilot
Is Danny Glover in this movie? STEVESKG
If you were a Top Gun pilot,what cool nickname would you adopt and why? Bookcooker
what is the name of the haircut tom cruise has in this film? hgohari73
Viper flew with Mav's Dad? Zebblin
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