Top Gun: Why Top Gun Is Top
I came back to this movie heartily disliking it. The bombast, the Reganism, the stars and stripes, the 1980s ‘America rules the world with big shiny weapons, guns and bombs’ pomp, the sexism, that ballad and all that dry ice. Surprisingly, I was wrong to do so.
On a rewatch much later in life, noticeably, for a popular entertainment movie, it’s really well written — the dialogue, the jokes, the plot, even the women. The story is really strong with this one, as we follow two buddies through Top Gun, Maverick’s flirting around with his possibly older instructor, his grief at and feeling of responsibility for the loss of his best friend Goose in a tragic accident, and then facing real combat — and real life and death.
Notably, all the characters have character — down to their silly hats and their “nicknames”. But the women have character too. Though firmly pigeonholed as the sexy ‘love interest’ in a man’s world, Kelly McGillis is not only smart and a qualified instructor, but looks like an actual real-life woman too. She storms a car through its paces, though sadly (for an instructor) not her own plane. Shining out is Meg Ryan as Goose’s wife who gets the best lines, to grieve and forgive, to show that men and women can be friends, for the very short time that she’s on screen.
There’s a big dollop of nostalgia as the 1980’s revels in its love of 1950/60’s music and style. But there’s also a lot of ‘80’s air guitar and synth as well as some amazing looking planes and aerial stunts. And of course it looks amazing for this is a Scott film — Tony rather than Ridley. (Which also explains why it’s so pacey too).
However, scratch beneath the surface and the dubious ethics of a relationship between a man and his teacher, and a deeper movie emerges — a celebration of male friendship, of men supporting, undermining and mentoring each other, of men encouraging each other…to be men, and to do their duty. And most of all what it looks like to be men trained to be in the service of others, to be heroic in caring for each other and protecting a whole host of people they’ve never met.
Yet, whilst there’s a lot of quick-fire banter, they manage (on the whole) not to insult or other those different to themselves, make sexual/ethnic slurs, or insult women as the Tate’s of today do. No Trumpism here. Instead we learn a lot about respect as Maverick and his ego get put through their paces, and he learns to temper his confidence and arrogance with humility and serious work. Not to mention conquering his fear of flying again. Loved Tom Skerritt in his mentoring role as Viper here, talking real talk, but also being encouraging and supportive.
Tom Cruise is intriguing here as he’s not his shiny self yet. However, he’s already playing a range — action hero, stunt creator, comedy, tender romance, angsty, emotional, grieving and disquieted, mistrustful, a truly terrible lounge singer, friend, somewhat stalky/persistent, dynamic. Though it should be said that Anthony Edwards as Goose is just as strong — the quiet friend who’s just as jokey and charismatic, devoted family man, a good friend. Maverick’s contrast — but never dull as supporting characters often are. Indeed the supporting cast in all their sweaty glory positively scream at you to look at all of them all of the time — when the planes are not on screen.
I really enjoyed the moment when Maverick said ‘goodbye’ to his friend, but clearly hadn’t forgotten him. Goose makes for an intriguing best friend as his name remains on his locker at the end of the movie, and we learn that this quieter man was ready to go to church every Sunday…and Maverick considers becoming an instructor…at Top Gun.
No wonder the sequel was a runaway success! Enjoy the buzzing of the tower and hold onto your coffee! Enjoy too all the real life Top Guns and their “nicknames” in the end credits.
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