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The Complete Works Ep. 112: Tom Cruise – TOP GUN (1986)

·37 min·2 clips

Maverick flying 18 inches above a Russian MiG frames the whole Top Gun appeal.

Doug Hess opens by placing *Top Gun* in his Tom Cruise run, then settles into the film itself. He moves through the story in a plain, conversational way. He brings up the 1980s setting around the movie and notes that a couple of other war films came out around the same time. *Iron Eagle* comes up as the closest comparison. He says he liked *Iron Eagle* too, but thinks *Top Gun* fits the mold a little better. He calls *Iron Eagle* a bit unrealistic. He does not claim *Top Gun* is especially realistic either. His point is simpler than that: *Top Gun* feels like the stronger film and, in that sense, a more believable one. He also notes that the two films share some parallels. Those parallels do not make them the same kind of movie. As he goes on, he lands on the idea that *Top Gun* is a solid picture overall. The dialogue is the one area he would improve. He says he would have liked something stronger there. That criticism never takes over the discussion. He keeps it balanced with the film's bigger strengths. He says people were anxious to see it when it arrived in 1986. He treats it as one of those 80s films a lot of viewers still enjoy. He says it helps make Tom Cruise a top star and puts him on the map. He also points to the soundtrack as a major asset. The special effects get praise too. By the end, he frames it as a movie worth revisiting. It sounds like something that works especially well on a lazy Saturday or Sunday afternoon.

As heard by us

A steady take on Top Gun that favors its energy, soundtrack, and Tom Cruise boost.

Doug Hess keeps his Top Gun review clear and unhurried. He treats the film as a strong 1986 Tom Cruise vehicle and uses Iron Eagle as the comparison point, arguing that Top Gun feels more convincing even if neither movie is trying very hard to be realistic.

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

You want a calm, straight-shooting look at why Top Gun still lands.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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