The 1986 film “Top Gun” is a cult classic starring Tom Cruise, Val Kilmer, and Kelly McGillis, and depicting the life of U.S. Navy aviators. The film is named for TOPGUN, the popular nickname for the U.S. Navy Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor program (SFTI program). The characters undergo training in the program to become some of the most elite naval aviators, with action-packed stunts and comedy along the way.
The film is full of amazing scenes, but here are five of them.
This opening clip shows the true spirit of the U.S. Navy, and the power of the aircraft these top pilots fly. It’s also set to the iconic “Highway to the Danger Zone” song that is commonly associated with the Top Gun movie.
This clip shows Maverick and Goose having a close encounter with an enemy MiG jet. Despite being locked on for missile targeting, they are prohibited from firing until firing upon. Maverick has another plan in mind by flying in an upside-down maneuver on top of the enemy and snapping a polaroid, which is enough to encourage the enemy to disengage.
This clip shows the competitive and witty side of aviators in the U.S. Navy. Though finding themselves in a competitive confrontation, the pilots were able to let loose and show a funny side of them with singing antics.
Another clip shows a true reality of how aviators, or any service members, mess with each other on a daily basis.
The scene shows the ending of the movie where Maverick is celebrated, and appears to put the rest his rivalry with Iceman as they approve of one another as a “wingman.”
