The 1986 film Top Gun remains a cult classic, and somehow manages to stay relevant in pop culture decades after its release. But why? Directed by the late Tony Scott, the aviation-themed drama is a visually stylish film, and there's a romantic love story at the heart of it. But it's the Top Gun vibe that fans seem to love the most. Top Gun may not be an easy sell for modern moviegoers. A U.S. Navy pilot named Pete Mitchell calls himself "Maverick" and has a buddy named "Goose"? Also, there are no traditional villains in the film, but instead numerous combat sequences that feature the glory of U.S. aviation, F-14 Tomcats, and friendship amongst comrades.
Ostensibly, everyone in Top Gun just want to show off their talents and magnetic personalities while trying not to completely embarrass themselves in public. And therein lies the film's charm: the wink-of-the eye confidence of every person that appears on screen. They're collectively dangerous. Of course, there's plenty of substance in Top Gun to complement all the style. And it all revolves around Maverick's quest to better understand himself as a person. Maverick's best friend dies tragically during a mission, and he often reflects about his late father's death. Legacy matters to Maverick. But he just needs a good wingman to help him through life.
A significant part of Top Gun's resilience in the modern way is Tom Cruise. As Maverick in Top Gun, Cruise displays all the traits that make him so appealing today as a genuine movie star. For one, there's the cock-sure, toothless grin; that weirdly wonderful energy that fuels each sequence. Because of that, Maverick's personality is on full display in every scene, in a very much '80s way. And continuing on that, all the '80s bro bravado in Top Gun makes it so fun to watch. Nick "Goose" Bradley has a mustache that he wears with confidence, just like Tom "Iceman" Kazansky (Val Kilmer), wearing aviators all the time, even in the locker room. And Maverick comes off as the prototypical alpha male and tries his best to flex in every situation, no matter the setting. Even when conversations appear to be over, Maverick will just talking and smiling.
Of course, there's more to Top Gun than just the main characters. Kenny Loggins' 1986 song "Danger Zone" will forever be associated with Top Gun. Early on, the song sets the tone and lets audiences know what to expect from the film. And to build off that, every pilot has their own call sign, some of which are funnier than others but all are accurately representative of who those people are. There's "Maverick," "Goose," "Viper" , and so forth. Furthermore, the screenplay (written by Jim Cash and Jack Epps Jr.) includes catchphrases like "turn and burn" and "I feel the need for speed," both of which go hand-in-hand with high fives and the music in the film. For audiences, that's fun. And the experience becomes even more thrilling when the performers on screen appear to be having the time of their lives.
Lastly, the romance between Maverick and Charlotte "Charlie" Blackwood (Kelly McGillis) is Top Gun's icing on the cake. They respect each other as individuals but are also very competitive. Their love story includes a kissing sequence that's accompanied by "Danger Zone," and their steamiest moments are scored by Berlin's Oscar-winning single "Take My Breath Away." Top Gun became such a cult classic because, despite being overtly superficial in every possible way, it was firing on all cylinders at all times - and that's something that the sequel, Top Gun: Maverick, is hoping to achieve as well.