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TOP GUN
Review by Gordon Justesen
Stars:
Tom Cruise, Kelly McGillis, Val Kilmer, Anthony Edwards, Tom Skerritt
Director: Tony Scott
Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS 6.1, Dolby Surround, French Dolby Surround
Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 2.35:1
Studio: Paramount
Features: See Review
Length: 109 Minutes
Release Date: August 5, 2008
"I
feel the need…THE NEED FOR SPEED!"
Film
***
When
I first saw Top Gun, I thought it was
one of the greatest movies I had ever seen. Granted, I was seven years old at
the time, and looking back now it would seem mighty silly to place this movie in
the same league with Star Wars, Indiana
Jones and Ghostbusters.
Nevertheless, the movie is still enjoyable fun, as it continues to be one of the
most popular movies of the 80s.
It's
also the movie that made a breakout star of then-24 year old by the name of Tom
Cruise. His charisma and energy paid off hugely in the role of cocky Navy air
pilot Pete "Maverick" Mitchell. Had it not been for this movie, Cruise
may never have become the leading man he is today, and the dynamite performances
in Born on the Fourth of July, A Few Good
Men, Jerry Maguire, The Last Samurai and Collateral
may never have existed.
The
movie's title refers to the elite training academy designed for only the best of
fighter pilots. After a huge daredevil stunt in the film's opening, Maverick
(Cruise) receives news that he is being sent there, along with his co-pilot Nick
"Goose" Bradshaw (Anthony Edwards), in order to become THE BEST.
Once
Maverick begins his elite training, he is faced with two potential distractions.
The first is a rival in the form Iceman (Val Kilmer), who feels that Maverick is
as irresponsible as they come. The second is that of Charlie Blackwood (Kelly
McGillis), the super-attractive woman whom Maverick hits on at a club the night
before he discovers she is in fact one of the instructors.
Now
the love story portion of the movie is not one its stronger areas. Cruise and
McGillis, if given more scenes together, might have struck some sort of
memorable chemistry. One thing's for sure, they do enjoy a lengthy make out
session in the shadows, with the song "Take My Breath Away" lurking on
the soundtrack.
What
makes Top Gun soar are the aerial
sequences. I can't think of any other film before and around that time which
made aerial
flight so authentic that you felt like you were right there with the
pilots. The nominations it got for the special effects work were well deserved.
It was nominated against two equally superior movies; Aliens and Star Trek IV,
and although James Cameron's film took home the prize, each of those movies
included some major technical brilliance.
The
movie marked the first collaboration between director Tony Scott and producers
Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer. So it's fair to say that had this film never
been made, Mr. Scott may never have been able to make stronger pictures for
Bruckheimer such as Enemy of the State
and Crimson Tide.
Top
Gun, while not a masterpiece by any means, is still a technical marvel, and
an important stepping stone for Cruise, Tony Scott, and most of everyone
involved.
BONUS
TRIVIA I: Look for pop up appearances from both Meg Ryan as Goose's wife and Tim
Robbins as a fellow fighter pilot.
BONUS
TRIVIA II: Cruise, Scott and producers Simpson and Bruckheimer all reunited four
years later for, Days of Thunder,
which could very much be considered Top
Gun in a stockcar.
Video
***1/2
I
never caught the movie on its original DVD release, but got word from a friend
that the picture was not anamorphic and not even in the correct aspect ratio.
Which ever the case, Paramount's new anamorphic presentation of the movie is
quite stunning. This is without a doubt the clearest form I've ever seen the
movie in, hands down! The picture is mostly clean and clear, given a brief soft
area or two. For a movie from 1986, Paramount has certainly made a strong
looking release. Full screen version also available.
Audio
****
Talk
about a surprise knockout! Paramount has restored this 80s hit to its full aural
blazing glory. The 5.1 mix applied results in what is easily one of the best
audio presentations of any movie from the 80s on DVD, without a doubt!
Everything ranging from the frequent music, be it the Harold Faltermeyer score
or the numerous songs on the soundtrack (Danger Zone by Kenny Loggins has never
sounded better!). The aerial scenes are a pure blast, providing strong dynamic
range. Lastly, dialogue delivery is super clear.
Features ***
The disc includes a commentary track with Jerry Bruckheimer, Tony Scott & Naval
Experts. Also featured are four Music Videos: Kenny Loggins' "Danger
Zone", Berlin's "Take My Breath Away", Loverboy's "Heaven In
Your Eyes", and "The Top Gun Anthem"
performed by Harold Faltermeyer and Steve Stevens. Lastly, there are several TV
Spots.
Summary:
