Top Gun 1986

Gene Siskel, Chicago Tribune: The aerial sequences in Top Gun are as thrilling -- while remaining coherent -- as any ever put on film. Read more

Walter Goodman, New York Times: Once 'Top Gun... gets back to earth, the master of the skies is as clunky as a big land-bound bird. Read more

Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader: Every moment is hyped for maximum visual and visceral impact, but Scott doesn't display the slightest bit of interest (or belief) in the actual characters and situations. Read more

Chris Nashawaty, Entertainment Weekly: Whether you love Top Gun or hate it -- or hate yourself for loving it -- the fact is that when it became the top-grossing film of 1986, Hollywood in its infinite wisdom took all of the worst lessons from its success and overlooked what made it so... fun. Read more

Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News: There are elements that hold up - especially Cruise's blinding charisma. The aerial scenes are still thrilling, and perfectly suited to a giant screen. Everything else? Well, that depends on how nostalgic you're feeling. Read more

Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times: The dogfights are absolutely the best since Clint Eastwood's electrifying aerial scenes in Firefox. But look out for the scenes where the people talk to one another. Read more

TIME Magazine: Top Gun is about the training of the Navy's best fighter pilots and their blooding in cold war incidents, and the only thing Director Tony Scott has not brought up to date is the story. Read more

Time Out: The story is risible, the direction routine, the underlying ethic highly questionable; but the flying stirs the blood like speed. Read more

Variety Staff, Variety: Set in the world of naval fighter pilots, pic has strong visuals and pretty young people in stylish clothes and a non-stop soundtrack. Read more