Top Gun (1986) – the movie that broke box office records and became not only an iconic hit but also a culturally relevant one, landing itself in the National Film Registry.
It was also, up to Jan 2023, a movie I’d never seen before. Despite seeing every other single action and war flick known under the sun because of my father – somehow this movie missed the cut.
It wasn’t until people in my friend circle started sputtering when I told them that I hadn’t seen it that I realized I should probably rectify that. Also, the sequel had just hit streaming and that one looked fascinating.
Upon asking my parents about why I’d never seen it with them, the answer I got back was that there was some trauma around the movie and someone in their friend circle on base using a lot of Top Gun references with the guy they were cheating on their husband with around the time it was released.
My initial two reactions to this film were as follows:
- Okay so Tom Cruise has just always been Like That.
- Oh hey I know that song/actor!
All joking aside, I was entertained by the film and I can definitely see the nostalgia bits that everyone loves. I’m a sucker for a good action flick and this one delivered.