Rating: 
Summary: I can't shake this flick!!!
Review: Can anybody think of military aviation, the late 1980's, patch-covered leather jackets or patriotic rousing boffo blockbuster flicks and not think of this flick? In the story, Tom "Maverick" Mitchell is the typical bad-boy fighter pilot, a naturally gifted fighter-driver lacking any trace of discipline. Haunted by the mysterious fate of his father who was lost flying a Navy Phantom over North Vietnam, Mav is driven to succeed - even if that requires him to make high-speed passes over control towers, carrier decks and admirals' daughters. When he and a wingman intercept a pair of "MiG-28's" over the Indian Ocean (real MiGs are odd-numbered only),. Mav is tagged to go for "Top Gun", the Navy's elite fighter-pilot school. There his strengths and his weaknesses as an F-14 driver become painfully clear to everybody, especially the school's top ace, "Viper" Metcalfe (Tom Skerrit) and fellow-student "Iceman" Kazansky (Val Kilmer). In a paint-by-numbers script, Mav falls for Top Gun's civilian analyst (Kelly Mcgillis), loses his close friend "Goose" (a pre-ER Anthony Edwards) in an freak mid-air accident, learns to doubt himself, grow up and become a real Top Gun in time for a climactic battle between a sextet of the evil MiG-28's. So why is this movie so important? Why not try asking anybody who's tried to follow-up this aero-classic using real airplanes and not CGI. 15 years later aerial footage from both this film and "Iron Eagle" are still used as stock, though it's clear that TG's is better, and nobody has even come close to surpassing it, CGI or otherwise. Though the plot is easily dismissed as unrealistic, the flight scenes go above and beyond in conveying the speed and gravity of these airplanes - especially the F-14 which is among the largest fighters in the world. (The F-14's large size is a liability in real combat, but also makes the plane much more cinematic than smaller jets like the Hornet or the F-16). Nothing is easy for these guys (and the fatal spin near the film's climax superlatively shows just how dangerous a job it is). Patriotic? How evil! Actually, though a tribute to real fighter-drivers, this flick isn't really all that jingoistic (unless you're the type who feels that the sight of any military hardware is necessarily jingoistic), and the mysterious nature of the dreaded MiGs is further proof of no flag-waving. (MiG's are Russian, but the Exocet missiles they carry are French; The Russians had no aircraft carriers capable of launching true fighter-jets until the end of the cold-war, and probably had few of their own airbases on the Indian Ocean in the mid 1980's.) A simple plot? Sure, but better than something convoluted. On the clearly plus side, the special effects are matchless, the sound and editing are tops and the photography (in which southern California skies are purple, and even sunlight looks liquid) is simply beautiful. The editing really makes the film - with flight scenes cut so quickly that you never realize how slow the mammoth F-14's are really flying. I'd get this film in wide-screen to bring out the effects. If you feel the need for speed - don't be cheap.
Rating: 
Summary: The 1980's In All It's Glory
Review: Finally a Special Edition of one of the most influential films of the 1980's. One of the first highly successful films to properly use Music Videos on MTV and a killer soundtrack. And to top it off -- the film is actually damn good. Dated in retrospect, but all the themes and storylines are as relevant today as they were then. Jerry Bruckheimer should pick this DVD up and watch it over and over again -- and try and figure out where he went wrong. While he still gives us MTV type films with some interesting visuals and some decent sountracks, they lack that certain "something" to make then really good films. It was nice to see the interview with the late Don Simpson, Jerry Bruckheimer's former partner. As a producing duo -- these two owned the 80's in Hollywood.
Great Special Edition that took far too long to reach our DVD players.
Rating: 
Summary: Worth seeing for the sky scenes
Review: I agree with many that TOP GUN is quite dated, has 1986 written all over it but is worth seeing for the fantastic stunts and sky scenes. This film was made before CGI took over (the good old days). On its release back in 1986, the film was popular because of the big stars at the time (Cruise, Kilmer and McGillis), the awesome soundtrack and the special stunts. The plot however was disappointing as well as the poor character development.
The original DVD release was in the wrong widescreen aspect ratio (2:00), but has been fixed for this new Special Edition by reinstating the correct 2:40 aspect ratio. In addition, the print has been restored to a degree and it looks fantastic! The special features are a godsend, including video clips for the key songs, a making of documentary and vintage footage of Tom Cruise speaking about the film in 1986.
Despite it's downsides, the film is worth seeing. The new DVD is worth purchasing for it's restoration and impressive special features. At last, Paramount are starting to do DVD's properly.
Rating:
Summary: The Top Gun of all the airplane flying movies
Review: I grew up in the 80's, but I didn't really watch Top Gun until a few years ago. I definitely saw what all the fuss was about when just about everybody mentioned Top Gun as one of their favorite movies of all time. To say the least it's a damn good movie. I couldn't find hardly any flaws in it. My favorite kind of movie is a good action movie with fast paced action and although most people consider Top Gun more of a drama movie, it also has a lot of top notch action and suspense in it as well. Cruise and McGillis do a great job acting and so did all the supporting cast. I can't think of many more sequences in any movie that are more awesome than when Maverick, Iceman, Viper and the rest of the flyers take to the air close to the end of the movie and do their job against their enemies. Top Gun also is great in the drama area. It seems like Cruise and McGillis are in a real relationship throughout the movie. Not to mention that the soundtrack to Top Gun couldn't have possibly been any better for the movie. If you like movies with fast paced action sequences with a little bit of drama added in, then Top Gun is one you can't afford to miss. It's one of the classics and one of the top 3 films of the eighties.
Rating:
Summary: New Edition is much improved
Review: I have been waiting for the anamorphic version of this movie since the original was released on DVD, which left much to be desired. The picture quality in this new edition is outstanding, rating up there with some of the newer movie releases. DTS sound is also impressive. I especially enjoyed some of the new special feature interviews, including details and production info which was new to me. I highly recommend this new version!
Rating:
Summary: Soundtrack is Awesome
Review: I just received the latest Tom Cruise Action Pack, which includes the Widescreen Special Collector's Edition of Top Gun. If you have a new home theater system and are looking for a movie that will demonstrate its capabilities, this is the one!
The picture quality is great, especially when one considers this movie was originally shot in the mid '80s. But, the real item of note is the soundtrack. As of this posting, Amazon has the DTS soundtrack listed as 5.1, but the English DTS soundtrack is actually a discrete 6.1! Ever wonder what it would sound like if a fighter jet flew through your living room?
Rating:
Summary: Great movie which did'nt need a sequel
Review: I still have the soundtrack to a movie I saw sixteen years ago. Tom Cruise plays the part of an ambitous but smart-alec pilot Pete 'Maverick' Mitchell, who goes to Top Gun, the naval training academy for America's best pilots. He falls on love with a civilian instructor played by Kelly Mcgillis. A tragic accident claims the life of Maverick's best friend 'Goose' played by Anthony Edwards. Maverick quits the school after the tragedy and after learning of the story behind the disappearance of his father during the Vietnam War. But a military emergency which requires the Top Gun pilot's involvement sees Maverick bring home the bacon in a dogbattle which involves rescuing Top Gun rival 'Iceman' played by Val Kilmer. The battle scenes and photography blend in well with the cental character: the making of Maverick as a more mature, sensible pilot. Meg Ryan, Tom Skerrit and Michael Ironside play sensible roles as supporting actors. A great film that needed no sequel.
Rating:
Summary: Cruise Control
Review: If Risky Business helped to put mega-superstar on the public radar, then, Top Gun helped to kick his career into the stratosphere. The film is an 80's classic that holds up very well today. After a poor movie only DVD release, Paramount finally saw fit to give the movie the special edition treatment.
Lt. Pete "Maverick" Mitchell (Tom Cruise) is a skilled but brash and sometimes even reckless Navy fighter pilot. Together with his more sensable wing man, Lt. Nick "Goose" Bradshaw (Anthony Edwards) by his side, Maverick flies the Navy's potent strike fighter, the F-14 Tomcat. After an incident involving another flight crew on the aircraft carrier that they are serving on, Maverick and Goose are elevated to the top slot and are ordered to go to Miramar to attend Top Gun. Once there, Maverick finds that his reputation precedes him and Mitchell soon goes head-to-head with another top calber pilot, Lt. Tom "Iceman" Kazanski (Val Kilmer), in competing for the title of Top Gun, that is given to the best pilot of each class. Maverick must also deal with his strong romantic feelings for a female instructor, nicknamed 'Charlie' (Kelly McGillis).
Produced by one of Hollywood's dynamic duos, Jerry Bruckheimer and the late Don Simpson, who two year's earlier gave the world 1984's Beverly Hill's Cop, Top Gun succeeds against all odds. Director Tony Scott balances the film with plenty of Reagan-era machismo and melodrama. The airial action is still very exciting to watch. The cast is instantly watchable. It's still a hoot too, when one considers that future TV doc Anthony Edwards was Cruise's sidekick here--and hasn't had much of a filmography since. A pixie-like Meg Ryan, in a small role, is also noteworthy. Cruise takes command and never lets go--having great chemistry with McGillis--and that's why it works.
The 2 disc DVD set boasts awsome remastered picture and sound. The rumble of the fighter jets will make your hair stand up. The audio commentary with producer Bruckheimer, Scott, Navy experts, Captain Mike Galpin, technical advisor Pete Pettigrew, Vice-Admiral Mike McCabe and co-screenwriter Jack Epps, Jr. is a worthwhile track. There's a nice mix of film VS reality that proves interesting. A 6-part documentary on the making of the film is also very well produced, but would have worked better as one whole--rather than one sectioned off though. As a founding member of the MTV generation, I apreciated the inclusion of 4 music videos, for songs from the popular soundtrack. Kenny Loggins' "Danger Zone", Berlin's "Take My Breath Away", Loverboy's "Heaven in Your Eyes" and the "Top Gun Anthem" by German composer Harold Faltermeyer and Steve Stevens made me feel quite nostalgic. A vintage gallery of storyboards with optional comments avalable from Scott, cool surrvival training footage, an archival production featurette interviews with Cruise, TV ads top off the bonus material.
Kudos to Paramount for giving an 80's movie benchmark its due on DVD. Not tryng to solve the world's problems, Top Gun is a "guy film" that even the gals will like.
Rating:
Summary: Bonus Materials Rock!
Review: The bonus material alone are worth the price of the set! The six-part documentary details development of this film from its inspiration by a magazine article to its premiere and everything in between. There's plenty of "how they did that" along with lots of behind-the scenes secrets. Fans of the filmmaking process will enjoy it.
Rating:
Summary: One of the greatest films of all time...
Review: Top Gun (1986.)
INTRODUCTION:
When Top Gun was released in the Spring of 1986, it was an instant success. With its all-star cast and spectacular dogfight scenes, and one of the best soundtracks a movie ever had, the film was almost instantaneously immortalized. Today, the film's legendary status lives on. How does the film measure up by today's standards? Read on and find out.
BASIC PLOT:
Top Gun is the story of Pete "Maverick" Mitchell, a young and somewhat arrogant up-and-coming pilot in the United States Navy. His commanding officer is requested to send his best pilot to the Top Gun Fighter Weapons School in Miramar, California, and since this squadron's best pilot lost his cool and turned in his wings, Maverick gets chosen by default. When he first arrives at the Top Gun school, the only thing on his mind is being the best in his class. But, as time progresses, a series of events convince him that there is more to life than being number one.
FILM OPINIONS:
Many films like this haven't aged very well - but this one is a huge exception. The recorded dogfight sequences, admittingly, are a bit dated by today's standards, but this doesn't change anything. The film's greatest assets, are by far, its cast and its soundtrack. Tom Cruise's acting in this film is nothing short of excellent, as are his co-stars. There's plenty of humor in the film, and these actors do it well. And let's not forget the soundtrack. Featured performers on the soundtrack include Kenny Loggins, Cheap Trick, Berlin, and Loverboy - all performing songs penned by classic eighties songwriter Giorgio Moroder. The film's score, composed by Harold Faltermeyer, is also excellent. Admittingly, the film is in many ways NOT accurate to real life (for example, the Top Gun school actually LOOKS DOWN on competition among its pilots, MiG 28's don't actually exist (these are just painted F-5's), and the enemy country being fought against is never named.) Still, this film more than holds its own.
DVD:
At long last, a GOOD DVD of this movie was released! The old DVD version lacked extras, but this new version has a ton of bonus material! There are documentaries, commentary tracks, and even music videos for songs from the soundtrack! Admittingly, the old DVD did one thing better than this version - the old version let you choose between Full Screen and Widescreen in one package. The new version forces you to choose between one or the other. Still, this is a small flaw - the new version of the film is the obvious one to by. In fact, even if you already own the old DVD I recommend buying the new version for the bonus material - if you're a big fam of the movie like me, it's worth the price of admission.
OVERALL:
Top Gun is the best dogfighting movie of all time - no questions asked. It's not often a movie's cast, filming, music, and, well, basically everything comes together perfectly, but Top Gun is a rare example of this. Regardless of who you are or what you like, I recommend watching this movie. There's something here for everyone.
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