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Top Gun poster

Top Gun

year 1986decade 80sdirector Tony Scottgenre Actiongenre Drama

109 minutes [ 1 ]

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Cast

Selected cast credits · Film reference

Tom Cruise LT Pete "Maverick" Mitchell
Kelly McGillis Charlotte "Charlie" Blackwood
Val Kilmer LT Tom "Iceman" Kazansky
Anthony Edwards LTJG Nick "Goose" Bradshaw
Tom Skerritt CDR Mike "Viper" Metcalf
Michael Ironside LCDR Rick "Jester" Heatherly
John Stockwell LT Bill "Cougar" Cortell
Rick Rossovich LTJG Ron "Slider" Kerner
Tim Robbins LTJG Sam "Merlin" Wells
Clarence Gilyard LTJG Marcus "Sundown" Williams
Whip Hubley LT Rick "Hollywood" Neven
Barry Tubb LT Henry "Wolfman" Ruth
James Tolkan CDR Tom "Stinger" Jardian
Meg Ryan Carole Bradshaw
Adrian Pasdar LT Charles "Chipper" Piper
Duke Stroud Air Boss Johnson
Aaron and Adam Weis Bradley Bradshaw
Scott Altman Lt. Scott

Top Gun | The Rewatchables

host Bill Simmonshost Chris Ryanhost Mallory Rubinhost Jason Concepcion format Emergency episode
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Producer credits not yet identified.

Roger Ebert's review

Roger Ebert’s review is discussed: 2.5 stars

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 00:21:58Read transcript
  • Ebert is reported to give Top Gun 2.5 out of four stars
  • The panel discusses his praise for aerial scenes and criticism of dialogue
  • The hosts find additional pleasure in the unintentional comedy

Half-Assed Internet Research

Magazine origins, Navy cooperation and production stories

In the discussion (14)
Approx. transcript time · 00:42:23Read transcript
  • The film is said to originate in California magazine’s Top Guns article
  • The Navy’s involvement is reported to have changed location, language, a crash and Charlie’s role
  • Paramount’s flight costs are discussed
  • Pilot Art Scholl’s fatal production accident and the dedication are discussed; the machine transcript renders his name imperfectly
  • Kilmer’s interruption is reported as improvised
  • Edwards is reported as the only actor not to vomit during flights
  • An early Maverick sequel concept about drones is discussed as then-current development history
  • Kansas City Barbeque’s filming locations, fire and surviving piano are discussed
  • Cruise’s lifts and a trench for McGillis are reported as height accommodations
  • The alleged fine for quoting Top Gun is explicitly doubted
  • Charlie’s inspiration Christine Fox and adviser Pete Pettigrew are discussed
  • Randy Duke Cunningham’s claim to inspire Maverick is contrasted with filmmakers’ denial
  • Tony Scott’s alleged payment to turn a ship for lighting is treated as an uncertain anecdote
  • Earlier discussion attributes the added elevator and love scenes to test-screening feedback and explains costume/lighting continuity fixes

How Well Do You Know This Movie?

A quiz matching Top Gun call signs to character names

In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 01:11:25Read transcript
  • The quiz gives Goose as Nick Bradshaw and Iceman as Tom Kazansky
  • Charlie is Charlotte Blackwood; Jester is Rick Heatherly
  • Viper is Mike Metcalf and Slider is Ron Kerner
  • Cougar and Merlin are given as Bill Cortell and Sam Wells; transcript spelling remains a secondary source

Casting What-Ifs

Matthew Modine, Linda Fiorentino and other reported alternatives

In the discussion (8)
Approx. transcript time · 01:15:09Read transcript
  • Modine is said to have declined Maverick because of the military politics
  • Travolta’s asking price is reported as a barrier, with uncertainty around the wider internet list
  • Fiorentino is reported to have declined Charlie because of the glorification of war
  • Ally Sheedy is reported to have doubted demand for a fighter-pilot movie
  • Julianne Phillips is mentioned for Charlie and Jon Voight for Viper
  • Modine is considered a plausible alternative Maverick
  • Robert Downey Jr. as Maverick, or as Iceman opposite Kilmer, is imagined
  • Judd Nelson and Charlie Sheen are discussed as very different possibilities

Picking Nits

Goose’s ejection, the dog tags and Maverick’s instant teaching career

In the discussion (8)
Approx. transcript time · 01:25:56Read transcript
  • Maverick leaves volleyball before its resolution
  • The ejection mechanism is questioned as a design flaw
  • Hollywood’s rapid rescue and cheerful return after his plane is hit seem implausible
  • Throwing Goose’s dog tags away deprives his widow and son of them
  • The crowded bar falls silent implausibly for the song
  • Charlie’s older bar companion is debated as a date versus colleague
  • Maverick opts to teach immediately after graduating and one battle
  • An aside calls this an apex for USA Today’s sports section

Probably Unanswerable Questions

The film’s erotic intent, Goose’s death and Charlie’s interest in Maverick

In the discussion (12)
Approx. transcript time · 01:32:54Read transcript
  • Was the homoeroticism intentional? The panel discusses Scott’s quote and the film’s broader salesmanship
  • Why make Hot Shots when Top Gun already resembles parody? The panel notes viewers originally took it seriously
  • Why was Kilmer not nominated for a supporting Oscar?
  • Maverick ending up with Goose’s widow is floated
  • Why are the ship interiors so hot and smoky?
  • Is Goose among the most upsetting unexpected screen deaths? Hooch, Fredo, Mickey, the Champ, Apollo and Elias are compared
  • The predictability of Goose’s death is disputed
  • Why play volleyball in jeans?
  • What does Charlie do after Maverick leaves dinner?
  • Charlie’s desire and the actors’ on-screen chemistry prompt an extended disagreement
  • Does Charlie return for Maverick or for more information about MiGs?
  • These are speculative readings of fictional characters, not facts about the actors

Mentions across The Rewatchables