Remember my dad waiting til we were asleep to play the NES game, then waking us all up at 1 in the morning to let us all know he finally landed on the carrier.
Top Gun and Top Gun 2 and other clones of the game engine are the reason the NES got an aircraft joystick controller, which actually worked a LOT better than trying to control with a normal one, or even the arcade style controller.
I worked at a large electronics store in the late 90's & we had all these Top Gun DVDs. To help sell them, we played the movie on our giant TV and I always got a kick watching people's reactions to the movie. Especially when its the climatic dogfight, you always heard a ROAR from the shoppers watching whenever they heard "... remaining MIGs are bugging out ..." and I would look at the people 100ft away at the checkout lines probably were wondering what's going on over there. Thats how loud those roars were. Sold a lot of movies (and the soundtrack) that way. I still laugh and smile whenever I think those moments from the joy and surprise from the people.
#SamsClub USED To Sell Early HDTV's & Sound Systems THAT Way, Only They Played: #DaysOfThunder Instead. Same Effect, Same Actor & An Equally Great Film & MANY YEARS BEFORE: #TalledegaNights!
Somewhere down around the DC area my roommate and I went to an Electronics store for amplifiers for his system! They had a Very Small Theater setup! The guy Selling the CD Player Really had experience with it and the movie! The CD Player had custom controls so that you could keep the action going yet Pause ( more like interrupt the sound) the scene when Maverick was freaking out about getting ambushed was so Awesome! IT Really Made It seem what he was thinking at that time! YOU GEEK/NERDS ARE AWESOME!
I was stationed on the USS Ranger during the filming. I got to watch them the last night they were on board. I helped them unload all their equipment they had on the ship. I was stuck on board for my regular duty day. I was later invited to a party they threw on base. The thing about this movie was we had no idea how big it would be. The interior scenes were filmed on board the USS Ranger while the at sea shots were filmed on the USS Enterprise. These 2 ships would cross over for Star Trek IV. The ship that they try to board at shore was said to be the USS Enterprise but was actually the USS Ranger. They could not film on board the USS Enterprise because it was a nuclear ship. You will see that when they did shoot on the USS Enterprise for Top Gun it was launching air craft not actually inside the ship.
I couldn't imagine this movie never being filmed. This was a major chunk of my childhood. I've seen it hundreds of times, and would have no problems watching it right now. It's that important of a film to me. I also saw the Blue Angels as a kid, and it was the most amazing thing I had ever seen! I've been frothing at the mouth for Pt. 2 for years now!
I LOVED the NES game! I remember the first time I beat the game I was so happy I ran around the house celebrating telling my family how I beat the game. My dad then asked me how I beat the game since I was grounded and had had my controllers taken away. So that’s how I lost my Max controller…
@@bopaintsminis Ahem... not true mate. Though it took me and my dad a few trips to the library to learn some basics about avionics and whatnot. But i loved this game and rented it soo many times I prolly should have just bought it ;-)
I live in Fallon, Nevada. That Naval Air Station is insane. They hosted a huge air show years back that had everything from awesome food, beer, liquor, merch, muscle cars and of course fighter demos. The US Navy knows how to throw a killer party, especially at Top Gun.
The #BlueAngels USED TO Appear At Yearly MCAS #AirShows in #CherryPoint. My Dad Was Not Only Stationed There, But My Family Wound-Up Living in #Havelock & Later: #NewBern (Where My Mom is From). I've Even Been To #CampLejune A Few Times, Like #Halloween & For A #SugarRay Concert, But That Was Until Havelock Got: #NightmareFactory!
Ally Sheedy (actress who played the weird girl in The Breakfast Club) was offered the role to play Maverick's love interest but she ultimately turned it down because she said, "nobody is going to want to watch Tom Cruise fly around in an airplane."
Based on her career I don't think she has the best instincts on which movies to actually do. She didn't think this was a good idea but she did a movie where kids sat in a room all day. Though a great movie, if you just look at the concept it's kinda dumb.
Good stuff, Minty. One minor research item: the U.S. Navy Fighter Weapons School moved to NAS Fallon in Nevada about ten years after the movie came out. It used to be in NAS Miramar near San Diego, California.
ABSOLUTELY TRUE!! FIGHTERTOWN USA was located at NAS Miramar in San Diego, CA where many scenes of the movie were shot! The base is now MCAS Miramar and Top Gun was relocated to NAS Fallon, NV!!
Great review, Minty! Bit of trivia: they show some shots of the carrier USS Enterprise, but the USS Ranger was the ship that was used for most of the footage. My ship, the frigate USS Rentz, was the close-in escort for Ranger in the time during and after the making of Top Gun. After the movie came out, we always used the song Danger Zone for our breakaway song after refueling our ship from the Ranger (look up pictures of underway replenishment, or "unrep" for short, to see what that looks like. When refueling from Ranger, my job was to monitor the helmsman, and the carrier would loom over us as we rode alongside, getting fuel. What was amazing is when the wind would be right, and the Ranger would be in the middle of flight ops during unrep. Love your channel, Minty! Keep up the good work!
I saw the movie when it came out. Unfortunately, I slept through the last action scene, as I had just come out of the field on my Basic Officer Training and was absolutely exhausted. Over the years, I saw bits and pieces of the movie, but I only saw it from start to finish for the first time last year. This has to be the most quotable movie of all time. I still use "talk to me Goose" to this day.
@@robd1329 There's a multi century rivalry between the armed services and misidentifying someone's branch is considered a insult. "Who cares?" People who kill people for a living.
There's one song from the soundtrack, Loverboy's "Heaven in Your Eyes", that I still hear a fair bit on the radio. I remember hearing an interview once with lead singer Mike Reno where he mentions that when the band was asked to contribute a song, they only had maybe a couple of days to come up with something. What they came up with may sound a bit cheesy, but it's still a good song.
@bluebear1985 wow you still listen to the radio? I parted ways with the📻back around 2004! I hated what the radio stations were playing too much of the newer stuff and not enough 80's and far too many commercials LOL and this was back in 2004 and I'm sure it is worse now in 2022!🤔😎🙏👍
My good friend so loves Top Gun he named his son Maverick. Top Gun was a movie made/saved in Editing. When they were done shooting they had a loose screenplay and had to piece together the movie based on what they had. The dog fight scenes were confusing so they dubbed dialog over the scenes, which worked great because the actors had their respirators on so you couldn't see their mouths anyway. Then, like Minty said, they added more love story and had to shoot more scenes with Tom & Kelly.
Well, probably many others did the same thing as your friend. A quote about Maverick Vinales, a MotoGP rider: "The 21-year-old MotoGP rider's father was a huge fan of the movie Top Gun, and decided to take the name of Tom Cruise's character -- Maverick -- for his son."
Terri Nunn is still capable of taking your breath away... She is incredibly talented and absolutely stunning still. I love her for the duet with Sisters of Mercy 'Under The Gun' but dig a bit deeper and you'll find Berlin and Terri have some really great work. Way more than one hit wonder
Only one hit on the Billboard charts means one-hit-wonder. Just because you were listening doesn't mean the rest of the world was. Not only that, but that song isn't even remembered the way Danger Zone is. It's like an odd piece of trivia that the highest charting song, and the one that won the Academy Award isn't the one people still remember.
I saw Top Gun 3-4 times during its release in the 80's. I never get tired of the fighter combat sequences. I also can't imagine anyone other than Teri Nunn of Berlin singing Take My Breath Away. Amazingly talented performer. She was even considered for Princess Leia in Star Wars when Lucas was casting it in the early 70's.
I must have missed it. How could you not mention Meg Ryan? She had a small part, but she played it so well and it was so touching that she was awesome.
Tony Scott is one of my all time favorite Directors, he was brilliant. Of all the other alternatives to Tom Cruise for the part, only Emilio Estevez could have done a similarly good job.
This was one of my favorite movies back in the mid 80's. I was in the Air Force based in Germany during that time period. While watching the movie in the base theater you can feel the energy with all Airmen "Rooting" through out the movie.
2 things you missed Minty. 1)If you remember in the scene a moment before Maverick lost control in a flat spin it was Iceman who was in the way which Maverick did say. When Iceman pulled away too fast, it was the jet wash between them they call it that caused Maverick's flat spin. BUT what caused the flat spin, the inquiry never brought up. 2)The real life Top Gun place says the movie is NEVER to be mentioned on site due to the film's plot calling it a competition rather than a school to upgrade your abilities.
i was a freshman at San Diego State University when this came out. I was in the audience the opening night with all the navy guys. when the fightertown USA scene came on the theater erupted with cheers. A very memorable movie.
I was in the Navy when it came out. I was stationed at Meridian, MS NAS, which was a training base for new Navy Pilots. The local multiplex theater had it set up where there was one screening for Officers and one for enlisted. The officers showed up in their flight suits.
I apologize for being nit-picky. As I love your "10 Things" videos. But I just wanted to put it out there that Maverick wasn't an Air Force pilot. That's a common mistake to make as a lot of civilians don't equate Navy with fighter jets. But he was always a Naval pilot. And the Tomcat is a purely Navy fighter platform. More often than not flown from carriers as shown in the movie.
I remember when they were filming parts of it here in Oceanside CA, where Charlie's house sits. They moved the house one block down, and now is surrounded by hotels. They have restored it and now is being turned into a ice cream shop.
I do not know about outside Australia, but around the same time that Top Gun was released, Sega brought out a great flight simulation arcade game called Afterburn. I remember coming home from school every day, and me and my friends would stop off at the arcade between the school and the bus and we would spend all our money on that game for two or three hours for about three months straight. It was one of the best simulation games I have ever played.
1986: Matthew Modine holds his chin up high in turning down Top Gun because of its pro military stance. 1987: Shows us is war face in Full Metal Jacket.
3rd favorite movie of all time. Probably seen it over 1000 times. A shame the full score has never been released. Faltermeyer wants to but paramount owns the rights and they ain't interested.
Watched it at a drive-in, first year after I'd finished school with my best mate and our girlfriends of the time. I'm not much a fan of the movie or Tom Cruise but thanks for bringing back the memories. Have to say though, it's one of the best soundtracks of any movie, ever. John Williams scores are about the only thing that comes close. As it turned out, even though bigger names turned down some of the songs, the ones we got I think turned out better than if the alternatives happened.
Well he wasn't a trainee, he was a fully deployed fighter pilot or "naval aviator" haha and he was the 2nd best pilot on his aircraft carrier "Cougar was number one, he lost it, turned in his wings, now you're number one". :)
Actually, he was a trainee in a way.....Maverick, Ice, etc. we're Topgun students and the course is basically an undergraduate program. So he is training in a sense.
Tony Scott was a real artist. Every single movie he did you have this amazing quality of photography, the lights and colors, how crisp it feels. You have to watch every movie he did for the image. It's a work of art.
Though in his later movies he did "borrow" a lot from Michael Bay's style. Especially with the colors and action scenes. Crimson Tide, Enemy of the State, Deja Vu, and Pelham 123 are good examples of this. He is one of my all time favorite directors though. I love the majority of his movies.
One correction I noticed at the beginning before I finished the video .... Maverick wasn't an Air Force trainee for the US Navy. He was an experienced Navy pilot and was the best in his squadron, after Cougar snapped and quit, which is why he went to "Top Gun". It's where they take the best of the best fighter pilots and make them better. Think of it like a Special Forces school for combat pilots.
Plus all Navy fighter pilots go through Top Gun. The Air Force has a similar school.The military tried to do away with dog fighting training and suffered for it in Vietnam.
@@mena94x3 It was an easy correction for 2 reasons. 1) I love that movie and watched it all the time as a kid. 2) I had JUST watched it an hour before this video. How Minty screwed up such a small and simple thing, I have no idea.
Arcade Developers from SEGA of Japan, were inspired by Top Gun, and made a video game called "Afterburner" / Afterburner II. - There was a standup version, and a sit-down motion cockpit. - The flight-stick controller has motors in it, to create force feedback when you crash. - There is a "spring-centered" analog throttle lever.. and when quickly throw it fully back.. you get a sudden speed burst from the "Afterburners". You will also see it represented graphically from the animated exhaust that comes out. - While the plane is being launched into the game... hold the stick diagonally, and it will perform a Barrel roll into the game. (before the game is playable) - Swinging the stick horizontally quickly side to side, will do a barrel roll while the games playable. - While most enemies come from the front, there are times when one will be on your tail, shooting from behind. - There are spots where you Re-Fuel, in the air. (I believe it reloads ammunition too) - There is a section where you fly through a narrow winding canyon, and blast enemy tanks, and infrastructure. - Unlike many of the 80s video games, Afterburner II has an Ending. I believe it might be 25 levels total. The Afterburner boost only last for a few seconds. To get another boost, you can reduce the speed to Medium, or Slow.. for a few moments... and it will "recharge" the boost abilities again. The boost is good for quickly escaping bad situations. (But, if your not careful, you might run right into the enemies, and blow up) Quickly shifting into "Slow" speed, can also help to lose enemies... as they will fly past you... and or will not be able to target you as well. Its not advisable to stay in slow speed for very long... just use it as a "Juke". The motion cabinet is powered by two heavy duty drive motors. It also has flashing lights, which I believe indicate when your plane has a targeted Missile-Lock onto the Enemy planes. The Afterburner II Soundtrack, is Absolutely Fantastic... full of adrenalin pumping guitar riffs, and emotionally tense pieces.
BOUNS ENTRY. Top Gun Movie also helped the US Navy. When the movie came out recruitment into the Navy and the Navy Pilot Program hit record numbers that year.
I think the second MTV rewards took place at this time with the Top Gun soundtrack sweeping up the awards, then Peter Gabriel won the best video with sledgehammer where he said "I'm just glad the award went to a song that doesn't promote war" you can hear the hush across the crowd. Also, the U.S Navy cashed in on the crazed by setting up recruitment booths in the theatres. A lot of young men signed up to be the next hotshot pilot, sure they had a rude awaking.
I am now downloading Izzy and Moe 1985, I like your videos not just for the fun facts but for finding films i had forgot about or did not know that film existed, Thanks Mark.
Minty, he was a Navy Pilot, not Air Force. His rank is Lieutenant in the movie but his insignia has two silver bars. In the AF he would be called Captain.
@@jaysonraphaelmurdock8812 because he’s talking about an American movie based on the American military. You would think that knowing accurate information about the movie’s main character would be important… 🙄
the cinema i went to see this film at the age of 17 had just upgraded to 'STEREO...' yes, things were very low tech back then, but the difference it made to the intro sequence on the aircraft carrier was huge, i'd never heard sound like that in the cinema, so that's what i always think of when i hear or see the top gun intro.
Tony Scott rented an aircraft carrier. They were filming on the flight deck and they had the perfect lighting. But the giant boat needed to change course, losing the light. Scott pleaded with the ship commander to go back and the commander explained that it cost thousands in gasoline to make such a change. So Scott pulled out his check book, wrote in the necessary cost, and asked, “Who do I make the check out to?” And that’s how Tony Scott rented an aircraft carrier for five minutes.
This movie was one of those movies that I just couldn't get enough of way back when. I very nearly joined the US Navy because of it. A couple other movies convinced me to join the US Marines instead. Years later, after the Navy turned Miramar over to the Marines, I was standing on the Miramar flightline looking out at the California sunset and had a Top Gun vision come into my mind. It was amazing!
I think this movie stuck in the hearts of people over the years because of the likability of Anthony Edwards and then Goose's death. That emotional pull is up there with the best of them and I think that is what really set this movie apart. Cruise was absolutely the superstar but Edwards was the hook.
What DOESNT this movie have to make it great?! The cast, the soundtrack, the action, romance, volleyball scene…some of these facts I’ve never known, good thing Cruise took that flight. To say I can’t wait to see the sequel is an understatement. Never tire of this movie 😎
Awesome stuff as always Minty! Big 80's movie fan here, and as you said, this is just such an enjoyable movie each time I re-watch it. The thing that still stands out to me is that great soundtrack, and the amazing aerial shots, especially considering the time period it was shot in. Always a fun and light watch
To this day, I’ve only landed that plane in the NES game under 10 times. Was just playing it with my kid a few weeks ago, he landed it after like 3 tries. I did give him the tip on matching the speed and altitude, still, I was blown away.
If you grew up in the 80s, Top Gun was the film everyone wanted to see on the big screen. Not only did the film deliver, but it made Tom Cruise a superstar and the soundtrack soared up the charts. This is another great video Minty. Great to see a fellow CZcamsr from Down Under who knows and loves his movies. Stay Gold, Australia’s Retro Man.
Love it! Disclaimers here: First of all I was a navy brat back in '76 so that meant I had access. Dad was HM1 corpsmen so had to sign off on the flyboys. I've heard stories. I've been to Miramar as impressionable teen. Yes the fighter pilots were that ego driven. There was that contest and that praise which the movie got right.
A: Epic movie. And a good rundown of things that, as a fan of the movie, I really didn't know some of these. While that's always a plus, I think all of your lists like this are great. B: The fact that Kenny Loggins' most well known songs are Footloose (more silly), I'm Alright (more laid back), and Danger Zone (power rock) and that all 3 are still well-loved songs really speaks to his range.
This movie is what I wanted my life to be, unfortunately I have bad eyesight. It still makes me hopeful and I think it is fantastic and generational. We don’t have the f-14 Tomcat anymore but it has it’s place in history. So does Tony Scott, RIP my man. Thanks for the entertainment.
I enjoyed this review of Top Gun, not only because I learned about most of these details from the DVD commentary but for the one I wasn't previously aware of. I didn't know before that "Danger Zone" was previously meant for Toto or Corey Hart or that Bryan Addams was slated to record for the soundtrack and declined.
My mom took me to see Top Gun in the theater, to a 4 year old me it was a movie with a cool song and cool jet planes. The video game on the other hand should be used as clay pigeons in a skeet shooting tournament.
I was seven when TopGun came out but I didn’t get to see it in the theater, my first memory of the movie was playing on the wall of TVs at McDuff electronics in the mall. My mom left me there and went to do some shopping so I got to see the whole movie. The ‘80s were a different.
That was the hardest game I ever played in my life. Landing on the carrier was insane and infuriating. It could have been fun if they removed that part entirely.
My sisters cried when Goose died (he's Maverick's RIO, not just his 'best friend') because I looked like Anthony Edwards and was in military aviation at the time.
Minty, I am surprised that you didn’t mention how Top Gun changed the home video market. Back before Top Gun and even a little after, a new release movie would cost easily over a $100 dollars for a VHS video tape. Then in early 1987 they had a pre-release sale for the Top Gun VHS tape for $26.95. The sales went through the roof, making Top Gun the bestselling video of it’s time. I remember waiting in line to buy the movie and receiving a certificate for the movie when they hit the stores. I ended up buying two copies, one for my dad as a gift and one copy for myself.
It was HILARIOUS you mentioned the NES game and especially that landing sequence! I can’t tell you how many times I failed and eventually gave up on the game too!
Also, this was the greatest recruitment tool for the Air Force ever made! I read that they had recruiters stationed outside the theatre for ppl to sign up upon the film’s conclusion
You mentioned in the video that Top Gun was in Fallon Nevada. However, Top Gun was located at Miramar Naval Air Station (NAS Miramar) until the mid-90s when it was moved to Fallon. The US Marine Corps took over Miramar sometime in the early 2000s. A lot of the flight scenes you see in Top Gun, where the aircraft are flying through valleys are in Romona Ca. The scene where TC and KM are kissing by boats is in down town San Diego, and the bar at the end of the movie is still there in San Diego, CA. I had a burger there once while I was stationed in San Diego, and was not really impressed, but still a neat place to visit.
there was actually a story to top gun. maverick was trying to overcome the death of his father and the cover up story that his dad wasn't a good pilot. all the while having a chip on his shoulder and trying live a life that he wants to live.
There was also the romance sub plot, and Maverick's struggle to get back to flying after the death of Goose. Some people can't see past the fact that the planes have guns on them and they actually need to be used sometimes.
I agreed with you, Minty. I enjoyed "Top Gun" very much. The action sequences, the effects, and the aerial stunts were very impressive. The characters were funny at times, and the chemistry between Tom Cruise and Kelly McGillis were really sweet and iconic. Although, the story was weak, the acting was too cheesy But nevertheless, it was a fun, action drama, popcorn film that features some of the most memorable and electrifying aerial footage shot with an expert eye for action, and I might look forward to a sequel someday. Thumbs up for me on "Top Gun". Top Gun (1986) 3/4 👍👍
Dad was in the Air Force at the time Top Gun came out. The cool thing though is later when Dad left the Air Force. He contracted to work at Nas Miramar through General Dynamics in the late 80s to early 90s. Still have some of the flight crew T-shirts.
Movie is a goddamn classic and one of the best soundtracks of all time. Can't wait till the end of the month for TG2. Can you imagine where Cruise's career would be if he truly passed on this movie?
Remember my dad waiting til we were asleep to play the NES game, then waking us all up at 1 in the morning to let us all know he finally landed on the carrier.
Fuck that aircraft carrier. I still have nightmares about that game.. lol
Bruh......actually landing in the carrier was top 10 gaming moments of all time for me. I definitely ran around the house happy asf😂😂😂😂
I could never land that fuckin aircraft 2 save my life🤦🏽♂️
Top Gun and Top Gun 2 and other clones of the game engine are the reason the NES got an aircraft joystick controller, which actually worked a LOT better than trying to control with a normal one, or even the arcade style controller.
Only once I somehow managed to land that motherfucker back in the days lol
I worked at a large electronics store in the late 90's & we had all these Top Gun DVDs. To help sell them, we played the movie on our giant TV and I always got a kick watching people's reactions to the movie. Especially when its the climatic dogfight, you always heard a ROAR from the shoppers watching whenever they heard "... remaining MIGs are bugging out ..." and I would look at the people 100ft away at the checkout lines probably were wondering what's going on over there. Thats how loud those roars were. Sold a lot of movies (and the soundtrack) that way. I still laugh and smile whenever I think those moments from the joy and surprise from the people.
#SamsClub USED To Sell
Early HDTV's & Sound Systems
THAT Way, Only They Played:
#DaysOfThunder Instead.
Same Effect, Same Actor &
An Equally Great Film &
MANY YEARS BEFORE: #TalledegaNights!
Congrats on the way you sold the movie to people who watched the movie. I could watch it again and again. Great soundtrack.
Somewhere down around the DC area my roommate and I went to an Electronics store for amplifiers for his system! They had a Very Small Theater setup! The guy Selling the CD Player Really had experience with it and the movie! The CD Player had custom controls so that you could keep the action going yet Pause ( more like interrupt the sound) the scene when Maverick was freaking out about getting ambushed was so Awesome! IT Really Made It seem what he was thinking at that time!
YOU GEEK/NERDS ARE AWESOME!
I was stationed on the USS Ranger during the filming. I got to watch them the last night they were on board. I helped them unload all their equipment they had on the ship. I was stuck on board for my regular duty day. I was later invited to a party they threw on base. The thing about this movie was we had no idea how big it would be. The interior scenes were filmed on board the USS Ranger while the at sea shots were filmed on the USS Enterprise. These 2 ships would cross over for Star Trek IV. The ship that they try to board at shore was said to be the USS Enterprise but was actually the USS Ranger. They could not film on board the USS Enterprise because it was a nuclear ship. You will see that when they did shoot on the USS Enterprise for Top Gun it was launching air craft not actually inside the ship.
I couldn't imagine this movie never being filmed. This was a major chunk of my childhood. I've seen it hundreds of times, and would have no problems watching it right now. It's that important of a film to me. I also saw the Blue Angels as a kid, and it was the most amazing thing I had ever seen! I've been frothing at the mouth for Pt. 2 for years now!
I love this film too and have seen it hundreds of times.
It’s the only movie I’m actively looking forward to.
@@SumDumGy great
I LOVED the NES game! I remember the first time I beat the game I was so happy I ran around the house celebrating telling my family how I beat the game. My dad then asked me how I beat the game since I was grounded and had had my controllers taken away. So that’s how I lost my Max controller…
That's a lie. No one has EVER beat the NES Top Gun game.
Trying to land on the stupid aircraft carrier. Grrrr. lol
@@bopaintsminis Ahem... not true mate. Though it took me and my dad a few trips to the library to learn some basics about avionics and whatnot. But i loved this game and rented it soo many times I prolly should have just bought it ;-)
Landing on that carrier was hard as sh*t.
Ok well how the hell do I land
I live in Fallon, Nevada. That Naval Air Station is insane. They hosted a huge air show years back that had everything from awesome food, beer, liquor, merch, muscle cars and of course fighter demos. The US Navy knows how to throw a killer party, especially at Top Gun.
The #BlueAngels USED TO
Appear At Yearly MCAS
#AirShows in #CherryPoint.
My Dad Was Not Only
Stationed There, But My
Family Wound-Up Living in
#Havelock & Later: #NewBern
(Where My Mom is From).
I've Even Been To #CampLejune
A Few Times, Like #Halloween &
For A #SugarRay Concert, But
That Was Until Havelock Got: #NightmareFactory!
Ally Sheedy (actress who played the weird girl in The Breakfast Club) was offered the role to play Maverick's love interest but she ultimately turned it down because she said, "nobody is going to want to watch Tom Cruise fly around in an airplane."
Based on her career I don't think she has the best instincts on which movies to actually do. She didn't think this was a good idea but she did a movie where kids sat in a room all day. Though a great movie, if you just look at the concept it's kinda dumb.
She will always be Yang (psych ) to me but crazy to turn down that role !
Good stuff, Minty. One minor research item: the U.S. Navy Fighter Weapons School moved to NAS Fallon in Nevada about ten years after the movie came out. It used to be in NAS Miramar near San Diego, California.
The US Navy changed the school-course name too. The DoD, BRAC shut down 🏚 a few SoCal military bases, air fields.
And Nobody was an Airforce trainee. Lol
ABSOLUTELY TRUE!! FIGHTERTOWN USA was located at NAS Miramar in San Diego, CA where many scenes of the movie were shot! The base is now MCAS Miramar and Top Gun was relocated to NAS Fallon, NV!!
Top Gun is a classic and inspired me to be a pilot.
It inspired so many kids coming up they were turning people away from the air force lol.
Great review, Minty! Bit of trivia: they show some shots of the carrier USS Enterprise, but the USS Ranger was the ship that was used for most of the footage. My ship, the frigate USS Rentz, was the close-in escort for Ranger in the time during and after the making of Top Gun. After the movie came out, we always used the song Danger Zone for our breakaway song after refueling our ship from the Ranger (look up pictures of underway replenishment, or "unrep" for short, to see what that looks like. When refueling from Ranger, my job was to monitor the helmsman, and the carrier would loom over us as we rode alongside, getting fuel. What was amazing is when the wind would be right, and the Ranger would be in the middle of flight ops during unrep. Love your channel, Minty! Keep up the good work!
Surprised you didn't mention the mistake at 0:23 😎
I saw the movie when it came out. Unfortunately, I slept through the last action scene, as I had just come out of the field on my Basic Officer Training and was absolutely exhausted. Over the years, I saw bits and pieces of the movie, but I only saw it from start to finish for the first time last year. This has to be the most quotable movie of all time. I still use "talk to me Goose" to this day.
Minty, he's not an Air Force pilot. He's a Navy (Squid) Naval Aviator
Thank you for sharing. My brother was stationed aboard the USS NIMITZ. I got to go on base at Miramar. 😁💕👍❄️
Who cares...he flew a jet!
@@robd1329
RIGHT! It’s not like it’s a StarWars movie or anything, than you need to have your facts straight.
@@robd1329 There's a multi century rivalry between the armed services and misidentifying someone's branch is considered a insult. "Who cares?" People who kill people for a living.
You know what the second biggest air force in the world is? The US Navy!
There's one song from the soundtrack, Loverboy's "Heaven in Your Eyes", that I still hear a fair bit on the radio. I remember hearing an interview once with lead singer Mike Reno where he mentions that when the band was asked to contribute a song, they only had maybe a couple of days to come up with something. What they came up with may sound a bit cheesy, but it's still a good song.
@bluebear1985 wow you still listen to the radio? I parted ways with the📻back around 2004! I hated what the radio stations were playing too much of the newer stuff and not enough 80's and far too many commercials LOL and this was back in 2004 and I'm sure it is worse now in 2022!🤔😎🙏👍
My good friend so loves Top Gun he named his son Maverick. Top Gun was a movie made/saved in Editing. When they were done shooting they had a loose screenplay and had to piece together the movie based on what they had. The dog fight scenes were confusing so they dubbed dialog over the scenes, which worked great because the actors had their respirators on so you couldn't see their mouths anyway. Then, like Minty said, they added more love story and had to shoot more scenes with Tom & Kelly.
Well, probably many others did the same thing as your friend. A quote about Maverick Vinales, a MotoGP rider: "The 21-year-old MotoGP rider's father was a huge fan of the movie Top Gun, and decided to take the name of Tom Cruise's character -- Maverick -- for his son."
Reminds me of how Star Wars was saved by Lucas’ wife and the other editors.
Your good friend needs help.
one of the movies that sweats the 80s with every second of sceentime....absolutely legendary!
Terri Nunn is still capable of taking your breath away... She is incredibly talented and absolutely stunning still. I love her for the duet with Sisters of Mercy 'Under The Gun' but dig a bit deeper and you'll find Berlin and Terri have some really great work. Way more than one hit wonder
Only one hit on the Billboard charts means one-hit-wonder. Just because you were listening doesn't mean the rest of the world was. Not only that, but that song isn't even remembered the way Danger Zone is. It's like an odd piece of trivia that the highest charting song, and the one that won the Academy Award isn't the one people still remember.
Kelly Mcgillis didn't age quite so well. Lol.
@@joshuagibson2520 Oh, yeah. Just commented on that.
Yeah, her, Susanna Hoffs, Cyndi Lauper and a few others from the 80's music scene really aged well.
@@daveb224 jaaaysus. That one sent me down a rabbit hole. Check out what bridget fonda looks like these days. Holy shit!
Val Kilmer and Anthony Edwards were my attraction to this movie. It also has a great soundtrack
Thanks to Archer I will never be able to hear, or say, the phrase "Danger Zone" the same way again...
I saw Top Gun 3-4 times during its release in the 80's. I never get tired of the fighter combat sequences. I also can't imagine anyone other than Teri Nunn of Berlin singing Take My Breath Away. Amazingly talented performer. She was even considered for Princess Leia in Star Wars when Lucas was casting it in the early 70's.
I must have missed it. How could you not mention Meg Ryan? She had a small part, but she played it so well and it was so touching that she was awesome.
He did mention her
Tony Scott is one of my all time favorite Directors, he was brilliant.
Of all the other alternatives to Tom Cruise for the part, only Emilio Estevez could have done a similarly good job.
I loved watching this movie growing up. 80s cheese at its finest. Man, I love the 80s era.
Me too. Maybe because I was young and totally unaware of most of the terrible stuff was happening in the world.
Hooray, Minty can finally talk about Top Gun after two extra years of waiting because of the numerous release date changes for the sequel.
RIGHT! I can’t believe this wasn’t 30 minutes long.
@@aaronburratwood.6957 "Minty" may opt to do "10 _more_ things..."...
People still care about Hollywood?
Kinda gross people....
This was one of my favorite movies back in the mid 80's. I was in the Air Force based in Germany during that time period. While watching the movie in the base theater you can feel the energy with all Airmen "Rooting" through out the movie.
2 things you missed Minty. 1)If you remember in the scene a moment before Maverick lost control in a flat spin it was Iceman who was in the way which Maverick did say. When Iceman pulled away too fast, it was the jet wash between them they call it that caused Maverick's flat spin. BUT what caused the flat spin, the inquiry never brought up. 2)The real life Top Gun place says the movie is NEVER to be mentioned on site due to the film's plot calling it a competition rather than a school to upgrade your abilities.
I loved that game as a kid I would play it for hours because I sucked at the landing the jet on the aircraft carrier part lol
i was a freshman at San Diego State University when this came out. I was in the audience the opening night with all the navy guys. when the fightertown USA scene came on the theater erupted with cheers. A very memorable movie.
I was 15 when Top Gun was released. I loved it then and now. I now work at a medical group an Air Force Base, and I see aircraft fly every day. 🇺🇸
I was a teen when TG was released. It was HUGE! 🛩 Navy recruiting went 📈. I met Tom Viper Skeritt in NY 2013. I mentioned Top Gun and he laughed. 😄
I was in the Navy when it came out. I was stationed at Meridian, MS NAS, which was a training base for new Navy Pilots. The local multiplex theater had it set up where there was one screening for Officers and one for enlisted. The officers showed up in their flight suits.
I saw it in Pascagoula, MS
Because we were inverted ✈️
I apologize for being nit-picky. As I love your "10 Things" videos. But I just wanted to put it out there that Maverick wasn't an Air Force pilot. That's a common mistake to make as a lot of civilians don't equate Navy with fighter jets. But he was always a Naval pilot. And the Tomcat is a purely Navy fighter platform. More often than not flown from carriers as shown in the movie.
I remember when they were filming parts of it here in Oceanside CA, where Charlie's house sits. They moved the house one block down, and now is surrounded by hotels. They have restored it and now is being turned into a ice cream shop.
I really love Minty's videos. Its awesome how much he genuinely loves movies. Such a positive in life.
Rest in peace Don Simpson and Tony Scott. True classic.
I do not know about outside Australia, but around the same time that Top Gun was released, Sega brought out a great flight simulation arcade game called Afterburn. I remember coming home from school every day, and me and my friends would stop off at the arcade between the school and the bus and we would spend all our money on that game for two or three hours for about three months straight. It was one of the best simulation games I have ever played.
I remember ghat game. It cost $1 to play when games cost 1/4 of a dollar.
1986: Matthew Modine holds his chin up high in turning down Top Gun because of its pro military stance.
1987: Shows us is war face in Full Metal Jacket.
“You don’t scare me! Work on it!”
Great observation. I guess the rent was due in 87
🎶 Highway to the Danger Zone 🎶
A fun adventure that made me want to be a Pilot when I first saw this film. 😎
Great video Minty 🍻👍
he wasn't an air force trainee. he was a naval aviator. and was at the rank lieutenant.
3rd favorite movie of all time. Probably seen it over 1000 times. A shame the full score has never been released. Faltermeyer wants to but paramount owns the rights and they ain't interested.
What are your top 2 films then?
@@richardmoores The Terminator and Rocky 4.
Watched it at a drive-in, first year after I'd finished school with my best mate and our girlfriends of the time. I'm not much a fan of the movie or Tom Cruise but thanks for bringing back the memories. Have to say though, it's one of the best soundtracks of any movie, ever. John Williams scores are about the only thing that comes close. As it turned out, even though bigger names turned down some of the songs, the ones we got I think turned out better than if the alternatives happened.
Its one of the best soundtrack scores thats for sure. John Williams is untouchable as far as orchestral scores go.
I saw it at the drive in too and the second movie that night was Pretty In Pink 😜
Well he wasn't a trainee, he was a fully deployed fighter pilot or "naval aviator" haha and he was the 2nd best pilot on his aircraft carrier "Cougar was number one, he lost it, turned in his wings, now you're number one". :)
"... you screw up just *this much* ... and you'll be flyin' a cargo plane fulla rubber dog shit outta Hong Kong!"
He did not become '#1' at the end, either ("Iceman" and his RIO would end up with the coveted and fictional 🏆) ~
Actually, he was a trainee in a way.....Maverick, Ice, etc. we're Topgun students and the course is basically an undergraduate program. So he is training in a sense.
Tony Scott was a real artist. Every single movie he did you have this amazing quality of photography, the lights and colors, how crisp it feels. You have to watch every movie he did for the image. It's a work of art.
Credit to Don Simpson and Bruckheimer for taking a huge risk hiring Scott, who never did a blockbuster action film.
Though in his later movies he did "borrow" a lot from Michael Bay's style. Especially with the colors and action scenes. Crimson Tide, Enemy of the State, Deja Vu, and Pelham 123 are good examples of this. He is one of my all time favorite directors though. I love the majority of his movies.
@@jimthar17 he’s a legend no doubt!
One correction I noticed at the beginning before I finished the video ....
Maverick wasn't an Air Force trainee for the US Navy.
He was an experienced Navy pilot and was the best in his squadron, after Cougar snapped and quit, which is why he went to "Top Gun". It's where they take the best of the best fighter pilots and make them better. Think of it like a Special Forces school for combat pilots.
Plus all Navy fighter pilots go through Top Gun. The Air Force has a similar school.The military tried to do away with dog fighting training and suffered for it in Vietnam.
Thank you. I was looking for someone to make that correction. Mav was not Air Force.
@@mena94x3 It was an easy correction for 2 reasons.
1) I love that movie and watched it all the time as a kid.
2) I had JUST watched it an hour before this video.
How Minty screwed up such a small and simple thing, I have no idea.
One of my favorites from the 80s I’ve watched more times than I know, and have “Danger Zone” on my workout play list.
I just bought it on dvd up Walmart last month. Loved this movie since I was little. Going to watch it tonight for movie night!!!! 🥰
Arcade Developers from SEGA of Japan, were inspired by Top Gun, and made a video game called "Afterburner" / Afterburner II.
- There was a standup version, and a sit-down motion cockpit.
- The flight-stick controller has motors in it, to create force feedback when you crash.
- There is a "spring-centered" analog throttle lever.. and when quickly throw it fully back.. you get a sudden speed burst from the "Afterburners". You will also see it represented graphically from the animated exhaust that comes out.
- While the plane is being launched into the game... hold the stick diagonally, and it will perform a Barrel roll into the game. (before the game is playable)
- Swinging the stick horizontally quickly side to side, will do a barrel roll while the games playable.
- While most enemies come from the front, there are times when one will be on your tail, shooting from behind.
- There are spots where you Re-Fuel, in the air. (I believe it reloads ammunition too)
- There is a section where you fly through a narrow winding canyon, and blast enemy tanks, and infrastructure.
- Unlike many of the 80s video games, Afterburner II has an Ending. I believe it might be 25 levels total.
The Afterburner boost only last for a few seconds. To get another boost, you can reduce the speed to Medium, or Slow.. for a few moments... and it will "recharge" the boost abilities again. The boost is good for quickly escaping bad situations. (But, if your not careful, you might run right into the enemies, and blow up)
Quickly shifting into "Slow" speed, can also help to lose enemies... as they will fly past you... and or will not be able to target you as well. Its not advisable to stay in slow speed for very long... just use it as a "Juke".
The motion cabinet is powered by two heavy duty drive motors. It also has flashing lights, which I believe indicate when your plane has a targeted Missile-Lock onto the Enemy planes.
The Afterburner II Soundtrack, is Absolutely Fantastic... full of adrenalin pumping guitar riffs, and emotionally tense pieces.
Yup! As a stupid kid after Iron Eagle came out I had my walkman on playing Afterburner... you know... 'for rhythm
@@chul074 I believe the jammin song played in Iron Eagle, was "One Vision" by Queen. Love that tune.
My favorite game ever. The seated version even moved
BOUNS ENTRY. Top Gun Movie also helped the US Navy. When the movie came out recruitment into the Navy and the Navy Pilot Program hit record numbers that year.
Couldn’t ask for a better wingman!! Thanks Minty!
❤️💜💚
I think the second MTV rewards took place at this time with the Top Gun soundtrack sweeping up the awards, then Peter Gabriel won the best video with sledgehammer where he said "I'm just glad the award went to a song that doesn't promote war" you can hear the hush across the crowd. Also, the U.S Navy cashed in on the crazed by setting up recruitment booths in the theatres. A lot of young men signed up to be the next hotshot pilot, sure they had a rude awaking.
I met "Viper" 🐍 Tom Skeritt in 2013. We laughed about the Navy, Top Gun scenes. He's great!
Ah celebs and their bullshit politics.
I am now downloading Izzy and Moe
1985, I like your videos not just for the fun facts but for finding films i had forgot about or did not know that film existed, Thanks Mark.
Negative Ghost Rider. The Pattern is full.
At 07:40 You can briefly see the Taiwan flag, this has been replaced in the sequel because China were involved in the production.
Minty, he was a Navy Pilot, not Air Force. His rank is Lieutenant in the movie but his insignia has two silver bars. In the AF he would be called Captain.
Navy Captains are O-6. In Top Gun 2, Pete is now a Captain. With 34+ years on active duty. 👨🏼🦲
He's Australian for Pete's sake. So why would he know that?
@@jaysonraphaelmurdock8812 because he’s talking about an American movie based on the American military. You would think that knowing accurate information about the movie’s main character would be important… 🙄
@Malus thats awesome man, great job! You were the one who saved the day and dont let anyone tell you otherwise 😂😂
@@DavidLLambertmobile yeah but we’re talking about TG1 in which his a Navy Lt (O3)
the cinema i went to see this film at the age of 17 had just upgraded to 'STEREO...' yes, things were very low tech back then, but the difference it made to the intro sequence on the aircraft carrier was huge, i'd never heard sound like that in the cinema, so that's what i always think of when i hear or see the top gun intro.
Tony Scott rented an aircraft carrier. They were filming on the flight deck and they had the perfect lighting. But the giant boat needed to change course, losing the light. Scott pleaded with the ship commander to go back and the commander explained that it cost thousands in gasoline to make such a change. So Scott pulled out his check book, wrote in the necessary cost, and asked, “Who do I make the check out to?” And that’s how Tony Scott rented an aircraft carrier for five minutes.
After watching Top Gun, one came out of the theater feeling as if walking on air.
The 80s: _Lived ‘em. Loved ‘em. Miss ‘em._
This movie was one of those movies that I just couldn't get enough of way back when. I very nearly joined the US Navy because of it. A couple other movies convinced me to join the US Marines instead. Years later, after the Navy turned Miramar over to the Marines, I was standing on the Miramar flightline looking out at the California sunset and had a Top Gun vision come into my mind. It was amazing!
I think this movie stuck in the hearts of people over the years because of the likability of Anthony Edwards and then Goose's death. That emotional pull is up there with the best of them and I think that is what really set this movie apart. Cruise was absolutely the superstar but Edwards was the hook.
Great observation! This is what balances out the overall lightness of the movie to give it some weight and emotional depth.
Top Gun was my very first favorite movie. It'll always have a special place in my heart.
Top Gun game completed back in the days. I use to play the Danger Zone song and the Top Gun Anthem while I was playing.
Best way to watch Top Gun is in basic training. Took on a whole new life watching it while serving
I feel the need...the need to watch this video.
"You can be my wingman anytime."
Bullishit ! You can be mine.
sword fight ! sword fight !
What DOESNT this movie have to make it great?! The cast, the soundtrack, the action, romance, volleyball scene…some of these facts I’ve never known, good thing Cruise took that flight. To say I can’t wait to see the sequel is an understatement. Never tire of this movie 😎
Awesome stuff as always Minty! Big 80's movie fan here, and as you said, this is just such an enjoyable movie each time I re-watch it. The thing that still stands out to me is that great soundtrack, and the amazing aerial shots, especially considering the time period it was shot in. Always a fun and light watch
I feel the need, The need for speed...
and scientology
Hail Lord Xenu!
To this day, I’ve only landed that plane in the NES game under 10 times. Was just playing it with my kid a few weeks ago, he landed it after like 3 tries. I did give him the tip on matching the speed and altitude, still, I was blown away.
If you grew up in the 80s, Top Gun was the film everyone wanted to see on the big screen. Not only did the film deliver, but it made Tom Cruise a superstar and the soundtrack soared up the charts. This is another great video Minty. Great to see a fellow CZcamsr from Down Under who knows and loves his movies. Stay Gold, Australia’s Retro Man.
I first saw Top Gun while in Navy Boot Camp in late summer 1986. Of course we all loved it!
Love it! Disclaimers here: First of all I was a navy brat back in '76 so that meant I had access. Dad was HM1 corpsmen so had to sign off on the flyboys. I've heard stories. I've been to Miramar as impressionable teen. Yes the fighter pilots were that ego driven. There was that contest and that praise which the movie got right.
A: Epic movie. And a good rundown of things that, as a fan of the movie, I really didn't know some of these. While that's always a plus, I think all of your lists like this are great.
B: The fact that Kenny Loggins' most well known songs are Footloose (more silly), I'm Alright (more laid back), and Danger Zone (power rock) and that all 3 are still well-loved songs really speaks to his range.
You have worn a ton of fantastic t-shirts in your videos, but this one might be the best ever. I tip my hat to your style sir.
I'm buying an empty seat for my dad in the theaters.
Seriously. He would have been there anyway.....
Oof
This movie is what I wanted my life to be, unfortunately I have bad eyesight. It still makes me hopeful and I think it is fantastic and generational. We don’t have the f-14 Tomcat anymore but it has it’s place in history. So does Tony Scott, RIP my man. Thanks for the entertainment.
I’m so glad you touched upon the Landing sequence in the NES game...
I can distinctly recall nearly destroying my system every time I failed! Lol
1986, what a time to be ten years old. *sigh*
I enjoyed this review of Top Gun, not only because I learned about most of these details from the DVD commentary but for the one I wasn't previously aware of. I didn't know before that "Danger Zone" was previously meant for Toto or Corey Hart or that Bryan Addams was slated to record for the soundtrack and declined.
My mom took me to see Top Gun in the theater, to a 4 year old me it was a movie with a cool song and cool jet planes. The video game on the other hand should be used as clay pigeons in a skeet shooting tournament.
I was seven when TopGun came out but I didn’t get to see it in the theater, my first memory of the movie was playing on the wall of TVs at McDuff electronics in the mall. My mom left me there and went to do some shopping so I got to see the whole movie. The ‘80s were a different.
That was the hardest game I ever played in my life. Landing on the carrier was insane and infuriating. It could have been fun if they removed that part entirely.
@@quietizkept the flying wasnt that bad but that landing
@@quietizkept I never met anybody that could land at the end of the mission. Always made me suspect that there was actually only the one level.
My sisters cried when Goose died (he's Maverick's RIO, not just his 'best friend') because I looked like Anthony Edwards and was in military aviation at the time.
Great video, this is without a doubt one of my fav. movies of all time, and the soundtrack is equally awesome!!
Minty, I am surprised that you didn’t mention how Top Gun changed the home video market. Back before Top Gun and even a little after, a new release movie would cost easily over a $100 dollars for a VHS video tape. Then in early 1987 they had a pre-release sale for the Top Gun VHS tape for $26.95. The sales went through the roof, making Top Gun the bestselling video of it’s time. I remember waiting in line to buy the movie and receiving a certificate for the movie when they hit the stores. I ended up buying two copies, one for my dad as a gift and one copy for myself.
My go to film whilst having a few beers . awesome with the surround sound cranked up .
When you got that need for couch cushion.
It was HILARIOUS you mentioned the NES game and especially that landing sequence! I can’t tell you how many times I failed and eventually gave up on the game too!
Also, this was the greatest recruitment tool for the Air Force ever made! I read that they had recruiters stationed outside the theatre for ppl to sign up upon the film’s conclusion
For the 10 more things I suggest you look at the effect the movie had on recruiting for the US Navy.
Still one of my favorite movies as a kid... can't wait to see the next movie
So many great memories!! The 80's!
Also for a Navy movie, my Air Force recruiter told me when Top Gun was on TV recruit numbers would jump.
Another bonus fact: my favorite metal band Judas Priest were also offered making a song for the movie!
But stupidly turned it down! What a shame.
Living in San Diego with Fighter Town USA right up the road was pretty awesome! I miss seeing those Tomcats blast around!
So I grew up with this movie
Thank you for making this
Brought a whole lot of memories back👍🏻
Another great day is upon us with a new Minty Review!
You mentioned in the video that Top Gun was in Fallon Nevada. However, Top Gun was located at Miramar Naval Air Station (NAS Miramar) until the mid-90s when it was moved to Fallon. The US Marine Corps took over Miramar sometime in the early 2000s. A lot of the flight scenes you see in Top Gun, where the aircraft are flying through valleys are in Romona Ca. The scene where TC and KM are kissing by boats is in down town San Diego, and the bar at the end of the movie is still there in San Diego, CA. I had a burger there once while I was stationed in San Diego, and was not really impressed, but still a neat place to visit.
there was actually a story to top gun. maverick was trying to overcome the death of his father and the cover up story that his dad wasn't a good pilot. all the while having a chip on his shoulder and trying live a life that he wants to live.
There was also the romance sub plot, and Maverick's struggle to get back to flying after the death of Goose. Some people can't see past the fact that the planes have guns on them and they actually need to be used sometimes.
There are a lot of people who believe the entire movie is a metaphor for being gay in the military. The theory is as old as the movie.
@@negativeindustrial - I know there are a lot of "Rumors" about Tom Cruise, but how is the movie a Metaphor for being GAy in the Military?
@@HoldenNY22
It should be noted that this not a theory I invented nor do I adhere to it. But, it is out there. Do a search.
@@HoldenNY22 Quentin Tarantino goes on a pretty funny rant in a movie he costars in (can't remember the name).
Tony Scott was such a Great Director
I agreed with you, Minty. I enjoyed "Top Gun" very much. The action sequences, the effects, and the aerial stunts were very impressive. The characters were funny at times, and the chemistry between Tom Cruise and Kelly McGillis were really sweet and iconic. Although, the story was weak, the acting was too cheesy But nevertheless, it was a fun, action drama, popcorn film that features some of the most memorable and electrifying aerial footage shot with an expert eye for action, and I might look forward to a sequel someday. Thumbs up for me on "Top Gun".
Top Gun (1986) 3/4 👍👍
Acting ability??? We are talking about Tom Cruise. I disagree 100%. Tom has NO Acting ability.
*Everyone:* Loves "Danger Zone"
*Most of Us:* Loves "Playing With the Boye"
*Us Intellectuals:* Loves "Might Wings"
Dad was in the Air Force at the time Top Gun came out. The cool thing though is later when Dad left the Air Force. He contracted to work at Nas Miramar through General Dynamics in the late 80s to early 90s. Still have some of the flight crew T-shirts.
Parts of Top Gun were also filmed on the USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) while I was onboard during West-Pac 85.
Top Gun is the reason I'm a pilot now. Saw it when I was a kid and fell in love with aviation
Movie is a goddamn classic and one of the best soundtracks of all time. Can't wait till the end of the month for TG2. Can you imagine where Cruise's career would be if he truly passed on this movie?