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Jim Milton
In Top Gun, Tom Cruise stars as Maverick, a talented training pilot in an elite U.S. school for fighter pilots. When he stumbles upon some MiG’s over the Persian Gulf, and his wingman panics, Maverick cleverly talks him through the situation to safety. Consequently, he is moved up in rank and sent to the Top Gun Naval Flying School. There he has several conflicts with other students while trying to live up to his deceased father’s reputation. Unable to cope with the death of his best friend and fellow pilot, Goose, Maverick contemplates dropping out, but follows through with his dream and ultimately becomes one of the "best of the best." This is a newly re-minted 30th anniversary steelbook edition of one of the best films to come out of the 80’s and the film that launched Cruise’s career.
2016 (1986), Color, Rated PG, 1 hour 40 minutes
Dolby Digital True HD 5.1, 1080p, 1.77:1 Aspect Ratio
Starring: Tom Cruise, Val Kilmer, Anthony Edwards and Kelly McGillis
Directed by: Jerry Bruckheimer
Rating
Violence: Mild
Sex: Implied
Language: Mild
Hard to believe it has been 30 years since this movie hit the big screen. Cruise has held up well over the years, but sure looks like a kid in this film. Overall, the movie has retained most of the excitement it generated in the mid 80’s, except for maybe the scene where Tom meets McGillis for the first time. That scene felt embarrassingly hokey. The aerial combat scenes are still fun to watch, though the MiG fighters are actually Northrup F-5s. Soviet aircraft are difficult to come by, even today. Still, hats off to the US Navy. These pilots go through a lot and only the top 1% makes it to Top Gun school. The movie puts you in the cockpit with these guys and you can really feel the pressure they are enduring. Why didn’t I age as well as Cruise? This steelbox would make a great Father’s Day gift. Roger that.
Over the picture was very good, but dirt and specks appear from time to time. Skin tones in some scenes run a bit orange, too. Film grain is present, but not distracting. Details are good most of the time, but a few soft spots show up. Minor black crush in the open aircraft carrier shots are noted. Sound is aggressive and lively. The 80’s soundtrack music is very well displayed throughout the mix. Dialog is clear and crisp.
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There is a payload of special features, so clear the flight deck:
Commentary by producer Jerry Bruckheimer, director Tony Scott, co-screenwriter Jack Epps, Jr. and naval experts. Danger Zone: The Making of Top Gun, Multi-Angle Storyboards with optional commentary by Tony Scott, Best of the Best: Inside the Real Top Gun. Also some music videos: Kenny Loggins—“Danger Zone”, Berlin—“Take My Breath Away”, Loverboy—“Heaven In Your Eyes”, Harold Faltermeyer and Steve Stevens—“Top Gun Anthem”. Now thrown in some; TV Spots, Behind-the-Scenes Featurette, Survival Training Featurette and some Tom Cruise Interviews. A DVD is included.
