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It took me about 0.2 seconds to answer when asked to name my favourite film; too easy: Top Gun.
In fact, I find myself harbouring significantly unfriendly feelings towards anybody who wouldn’t rate Top Gun in their top ten, at the very least. It is difficult to see eye-to-eye with a person who could disagree with the statement that this incredible film has all the components of an all-time classic: a great love story complete with steamy sex scene, a complex friendship untimely ended by a savage death, intense aerial action sequences and a fair dose of comedy, not to mention an outrageously good soundtrack.
For those who haven’t seen it, Top Gun follows a macho naval aviation pilot as he fights to overcome his father’s reputation and be top of the class at an elite US flying school. Along the way ‘Maverick’ (played by Tom Cruise) falls in love with his ridiculously attractive instructor, leathers up to ride a motorcycle and dabbles in a bit of beach volleyball. The cast also includes Kelly McGillis (as the ravishing teacher), Val Kilmer, Anthony Edwards and Meg Ryan. The story is, of course, slightly predictable, but that doesn’t make this '80s action/romance any less enjoyable.
When the film opened in 1986 it broke box office records. It was critically acclaimed and especially highly praised for the action scenes. It also later broke records for home video sales. With this in mind, it seems close to criminal that most of the youth of today wouldn’t even recognise some of it’s most quotable lines - "I feel the need….the need for speed!"...anyone?. Ray-Ban Aviator sunglasses and leather bomber jackets have Cruise and the crew to thank for their mass popularisation, not to mention Kenny Loggins, creator of the insane track ‘Danger Zone’. It’s not a particularly serious film, it’s not intensely emotional, and some might even say it’s a bit of a joke. One thing it certainly is? Worth a watch. And as an aside, Tom Cruise might be pretty diminutive, but he definitely carries off those dog tags…..
I think all other films should be abolished in favour of Top Gun.
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