MovieChat Forums > Top Gun (1986) Discussion > Does not age well

Does not age well

posted 8 years ago by jadg1972-572-580264
44 replies | jump to latest

I remember when this movie came out I was in 8th grade and it was a phenomenon! Groups of girls (and guys) would go see it 2-3 times a week and it seemed to be in theaters for almost a year. My stepsister knew every line. I recently re-watched it on cable & I can't help feeling that whatever made it so special at the time has been lost over the years. The pacing is slow & the drama surrounding the players at TOP GUN academy seems trivial. Even the flying that was SO spectacular at the time seems boring and implausible to boot. Perhaps I've just become jaded and cynical in my old age but I still love to watch several movies from this time period & they seem just as fresh as the 1st time I saw them.

[–] R_Kane (15828) 3 years ago

What THE FUCK does “&” mean, OP?

[–] Keelai (34880) 2 years ago

Likely a text error in old HTML coding.

[–] WhereIsRent (1080) 3 years ago

Just watched it and it’s still awesome and just as rewatchable as ever.

Easily my most watched film from 1986 after Aliens. Plus the Top Gun anthem will never not be a great piece of music.

The aerial sequences/stunts in the sequel though look like they blow this film’s out of the water, can’t wait to see it.

[–] Redsfan001 (6151) 3 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Volley (3433) 3 years ago

The pacing is actually pretty good in Top Gun, however the fact that we never know who they are fighting and that the enemies are completely unidentified (obviously it's the Russians, but what are they doing in the Indian Ocean?) leaves this film in the dust bin of history. When one actually gets down to it, there is no actual story here, just a bunch of awesome music & effects, pilots messing around with women, a few training exercises gone wrong, some drama at the bar & restaurant, and then the final battle scene where we don't know what's actually going on.

[–] Keelai (34880) 2 years ago

It was over-the-top machismo and patriotism when I watched it in the theater, but I was entertained. Now, many scenes are unintentionally funny in a cringe-worthy because of the overacting and cliched lines. The story and dialogue are formulaic. The action scenes are now lackluster. I still like the music and most of the actors, but I agree that this movie hasn't aged well.

[–] Tommy711 (134) 3 months ago

I agree, although I can see why it was quite a break-through for back in '83, I can see why people liked it so much. Not a bad movie by any means, just not anything special compared to similar movies since then. 6/10.