There is no doubt that Top Gun is one of the most iconic films of the ’80s. The film is 36 years old, yet it has remained popular among movie enthusiasts from its era up to the present day. It has surely made its mark in the industry. This film earned $356 million worldwide in 1986, making it a major blockbuster film worldwide.
There’s no reason to like the movie, especially if you are into action films. The film was directed by the late Tony Scott. This film did not only feature a great plot, but it also has an award-winning soundtrack that featured songs like Danger Zone and Playing with the boy by Kenny Loggins, Mighty Wings by Cheap Trick and the famous Take My Breath Away by Berlin among others. The cinematography is excellent and a legendary cast that includes the lead star Tim Cruise, Val Kilmer, Anthony Edwards, Tim Robbins, Kelly McGills, and Michael Ironside. The film was regarded as the one that made Tom Cruise a Hollywood A-lister and Superstar.
Top Gun is about the adrenaline rush. This is about the story of a hotshot air fighter pilot named Lieutenant Peter Maverick Mitchell, who was sent to train advance classes to Top Gun Naval Fighter Weapons School, where the best of the best are trained. Lieutenant Peter Maverick Mitchell has excellent skills, but his cock demeanor and reckless attitude put him at odds with other pilots. He competes to be the best pilot with everyone, especially with Tom Iceman Kasansky (Val Kilmer). The rift between Maverick and Iceman continues, which resulted in Commander Michael Viper Metcalf (Tom Skerritt) and LTC Richard Jester Heatherly (Michael Ironside) to team up against Maverick which resulted to Maverick breaking a cardinal rule by abandoning his wingman and went after Viper.
The story also features Maverick’s romance with his civilian Charlotte Blackwood (Kelly McGillis). Maverick was shaken up and devastated over the loss of a friend Lt. Nicholas Goose Bradshaw (Anthony Edwards) that he loses the Top Gun honor to Iceman. He was given a chance to redeem himself during an international crisis that involved a crippled US vessel and a flock of predatory enemy planes. Maverick and Iceman worked together for the mission’s success. They became friends. Honoring his heroism and contribution to the success of the mission, Maverick was offered an assignment that he would choose. Devastated by the death of his best friend, Maverick Goose’s dog tag the ocean. An act is signifying that he has come to terms with his friend’s death.
Now, as it celebrates its 36th year, the long-awaited sequel makes Top Gun fanatics excited, and it is now becoming the talk of the town. As the long-awaited sequel approaches, perhaps it is also the best time to look back on the best quotes from this blockbuster movie.
I feel the need…the need for speed.
No doubt, this is the most popular quote from this fil. The iconic line of Maverick and Goose. It has become their mantra whenever they prepare to take off the skies. The statement is such energy going. This is all about adrenaline and for those who for that adrenaline rush. This quote also best describes Tom Cruise’s character, Lieutenant Peter Maverick Mitchell, risk-taker, reckless, and has the need for adrenaline. I feel the need…the need for speed has become a common phrase to people who lives for the adrenaline rush, for exciting things, and to those who never slow down. As iconic as the film, this quote has marked the viewer’s hearts and minds.
You can be my wingman anytime.
Maverick and Iceman started as great competitors and hated each other’s guts. They are both proud and arrogant that they highly look up to themselves. When Maverick’s best buddy Goose died, he was devastated that he lost to Iceman for the Top Gun. Apparently, fate has some twist. To redeem himself, Maverick was assigned to join a mission, and they need to work together in a war. Though both have trust issues towards each other, they have no choice but to work together. Being a team player, Maverick pulls through taking the enemies and also saving iceman. Back to the ground, Iceman thanks Maverick for saving his life and Maverick telling him, You can be my wingman anytime.
Son, Your Ego Is Writing Checks Your Body Can’t Cash.
One of the wittiest remarks from the movie that became popular in the ’80s was this phrase from CDR Tom Stinger Jordan. He is Maverick and Goose’s commanding officer. Stinger gave Maverick and Goose another verbal berating after the two has yet again pulled another of their stunts. Stinger hated the guts of his two junior officers, and they have always been reprimanded for their reckless behavior.
I am dangerous.
There is a great rivalry between Maverick and Iceman. They are the complete opposite of each other, and the only common thing that they have is to become the best among the rest. Maverick is the reckless type while Iceman is flying by the book. Iceman often calls Maverick Dangerous, and Maverick responded, Yes, Iceman…I am Dangerous,. Both Cruise and Kilmer’s delivery is one of the films highlighted scene as it showed off the intense competition between the two of them with the memorable faceoff.
I’ll Fly with You.
Commander Michael Viper Metcalf has been very tough on Maverick. Though Maverick tries to be the best, his instructor, Viper, is giving him a tough time and calls him out often for his mistakes, and he stresses out that he sees no potential on Maverick. However, Maverick tries, it is still not enough for Viper. After the death of Mavericks, best buddy and wingman Goose, Maverick was given his first assignment and was told that he would be assigned with a new partner. Viper, at this time, has seen the string character of Maverick, his dedication, and passion and sympathizes with the loss of his best friend. Viper says to Maverick; he can call him anytime, and if he needs and new partner, he says, I’ll fly with you.
Take Me To Bed Or Lose Me Forever
Another good thing about Top Gun is that it introduced a superstar in small roles. Among the recognizable face was Meg Ryan, who played a minimal role as Carole, Goose’s energetic, witty and fun wife. Though she played a small role in this movie, she played it very well, and her charm and humor were shown in this film, making her a big star in the movie industry. She delivered the Take Me To Bed Or Lose Me Forever goofy line as she yells to her husband in the movie.
Talk to me, Goose.
Top Gun is not all about the adrenaline. This story goes beyond the passion of a certain man to become the best aircraft pilot and fighter. It goes beyond the physical action and the adrenaline rush. The film also shows the heart between two friends, Maverick and Goose. Maverick may have had problems with other pilots. Goose never left his side. Goose has so much trust in Maverick and believes in the best that he can do.
During the many intense flying exercises, Maverick would often use his catchphrase, Talk to me Goose. That is Maverick’s way of knowing if everything is also alright with his friends and wingman. The movie showed how devastated Maverick when Goose died. He did not only lose a colleague. Goose was more than a friend to him. He was his brother. His family. The one person who would listen to him and would push him to give his best. The heart of this movie is on the friendship that binds Maverick and Goose.
Because I Was Inverted
This iconic line is Maverick’s remark to Charlie during their class. Maverick being the hot, arrogant pilot, showed how skilled a pilot he is. Maverick was sent with other pilots to send enemies way who flew into the wrong airspace. Things got intense, and the enemies got aggressive. The risk-taker Maverick decides to have some fun with the enemies as he inverted his plane and flew it upside down before taking a picture of the enemy. He revealed what he did during their class, telling Charlie that the plane was upside down and disproving Charlie’s theory that a MiG 28 was limited in its ability to do a 4g negative dive.
She Lost That Loving Feeling
A compelling ingredient of TOP GUN is that it is not all about the actions and the excitement of being in a flight school. Aside from highlighting friendship, this movie also has the element of romance. Maverick sets his eyes on Charlie in a bar. He is unaware that she is a professor in the flight school.
Maverick being himself, has his way of getting Charlie’s attention. He and Goose talked about how he is going to woo the woman. Maverick says, She’s lost that loving feeling. Both Maverick and Goose proceeded and sang that famous song by Righteous Brothers. Their act seemed to have been supported by their peers inside the bar as they joined them in singing the song. The scene may seem cheesy, but it was one of those light scenes that have added on the comedic element of the movie.
Sorry Goose, But It’s Time to Buzz The Tower
Lieutenant Peter Maverick Mitchell is one hotshot, skilled and talented aircraft pilot with a reputation of being risky. Regardless of the fact that he is very skilled and considered top of his class, Maverick is not afraid to take the risk and goes with his gut feel. His unorthodox attitude has taken him in so much trouble. He seems to have so much adrenaline in his body that his thrill-seeking attitudes never ends. No one can stop him, not even his best buddy, Goose. When Maverick has decided to go for it, he will definitely go for it. This shows the rebellious attitude of Maverick and Goose, trying a sense in his mind. Maverick would only say his famous line Sorry Goose, But It’s Time To Buzz The Tower.
Conclusion
Top Gun is, without a doubt, a blockbuster and has become an iconic film of all time. It has embodied a lot of elements that fit in a single movie. It has the element of adrenaline, action, passion, competition, the heart of friendship, romance, and the drive to be the best. It has a fantastic line of amazing actors, a talented director, excellent cinematography, and, more importantly, great screenplay and script.
Top Gun, which was filmed in 1986, is perhaps one of the movies that made Tom Cruise who he is right now. Just like his character Maverick, Cruise has never stopped alleviating and improving his craft. He is known to be an intelligent and risky actor. Cruise is not just an actor; he has become The Tom Cruise, and A- list and most sought after Hollywood actor.
This 36-year-old film has a sequel soon to be this 2020. For those who were too young to remember the film or were born after the film has been released, you are in for a treat. If this film has made a whopping $356 million in 1986, the sequel is predicted to be another blockbuster with Cruise leading the list of the actors in the comeback film.
The sequel features Peter Mitchell, who has severed for 30 years as a top US Naval Aviator, is called to action to fight a different form of enemy. Written by Peter Craig, Ashley Miller, and Zack Stentz, this sequel is expected to hit the blockbuster charts as it is expected to give movie-goers an action-packed movie with a good storyline and great actors on the list.
The iconic Top Gun movie will remain one of the best movies from the 80s, and these iconic lines will forever remain in the viewer’s hearts and minds.
