Top Gun is, of course, the definitive 80s movie, driven by style & gloss, a booming soundtrack, cheesy dialogue calculated to be instantly quotable, and a cast of impossibly beautiful people who simply ooze cool. It feels even more cynical, empty & shallow today than it did 18 years ago, but you've got to grudgingly admire a movie that could manipulate millions into thinking they were watching anything more than mindless, high-concept garbage. It also made a superstar out of Tom Cruise, who would go on to play the same guy in Days of Thunder & Cocktail before deciding he's rather be an actor after all. The movie is already a period piece, and this 2-disc Collector's Edition is geared more towards 80s' nostalgics than the uninitiated. As such, I suppose this has a certain amount of relevance.

Even if you've never seen Top Gun , you've seen Top Gun . Tom Cruise and his grin play Pete Mitchell (a.k.a. "Maverick" - all the male characters have cool sounding handles), a hot shot renegade Navy pilot who is selected to participate in Top Gun, a naval training course in which the "best of the best" compete for a coveted title. Maverick, of course, plays by his own rules (people like that are always cool in the movies), much to the consternation of his naval instructor (Tom Skerritt), who once flew with Maverick's dad (and is willing to overlook Maverick's flagrant disregard for authority because "this kid is good "). Also on-hand is nemesis "Iceman" (Val Kilmer), who doesn't appreciate Maverick's renegade behavior (every twenty minutes or so, he reminds Maverick how dangerous he is by being an individual, mainly so we have someone in the film we can hate). Complicating matters is Charlotte (Kelly McGillis, displaying the personality of a turnip), a prick-teasing civilian naval advisor who seems to overlook Maverick's playfully "dangerous" behavior because she's falling for him (even though we're given no real reason for her change-of-heart). Tragedy strikes about half-way through the film, when Maverick' s partner, Goose (a pre- E.R. Anthony Edwards), is killed during a routine exercise...but we know he's a dead man the second his family - featuring a still-cute Meg Ryan - shows up. It's not really Maverick's fault, but movies like this need to have second acts in which our hero does some deep soul-searching. Needless to say, the opportunity for redemption pops up in the last third of the movie, when he's called to action to save the asses of his former antagonists, despite the fact the average person would have said, "Screw him...that's what he gets for crossing me." Top Gun is a two-hour batch of movie cliches, devoid of even a single plot turn that will surprise anyone. The music score (consisting of such popular 80s artists Cheap Trick, Berlin, Loverboy and "Mr. Soundtrack" Kenny Loggins) takes the place of any true emotion conveyed by the cast (trust me, even if you've never heard "Take My Breath Away" until now, you'll be sick of it by the time the movie is over). Cruise & McGillis generate the sexual chemistry of peanut butter & gasoline, while Skerritt, Edwards & Kilmer do what they can with roles that could be played just as effectively by a Chippendale's dancer. Still, the movie is also a minor masterpiece of pure craftsmanship; the aerial combat scenes are well-executed & thrilling (and according to the naval experts on the commentary, fairly authentic), and there's something a bit comforting in the utter predictability of the story (the same reason we choose to eat at McDonald's during long drives...at least we know what we're gonna get). Cruise, of course, is Mr. Charisma, oozing shitloads of charm and getting more mileage than he earns with his patented grin.

The overall picture and sound quality of this disc is a lot better than the previous DVD release. The picture is presented in 2.35:1 widescreen, and has never looked better. There's some noticeable grain present in the few scenes that consist of stock footage, but for the most part, the images is free of scratches or blemishes. As for the soundtrack...for a movie whose music soundtrack provides most of the emotional impact, this is a really good transfer. Every song comes in loud and clear, as does the sound during the ample combat fight scenes.

Disc 1 features a full-length audio commentary by director Tony Scott, producer Jerry Bruckheimer, screenwriter Jack Epps and some naval experts (personally, I appreciated Scott's comments the most, who is sometimes candid about his personal struggles with directing an audience picture, as well as the obvious gay appeal of some scenes). The commentary tracks were obviously not recorded at the same time, but most of those involved have a few interesting comments about the production of the film. Also included are four music videos of songs from the movie, as well as some TV spots. Disc 2 features an extensive, 6-part documentary about the making of the movie, in addition to a "survival training" featurette, a Tom Cruise interview and some photo stills. I don't know if the extras included warrant a two-disc version of the film, but fans will likely enjoy them.

Fans of Top Gun will surely love this Collector's Edition release, which provides a disc of extra fluff similar to that offered in the film itself. DVD purists will definitely appreciate the improved picture and sound quality, too. From a historical perspective, I suppose the movie is worth the investment, especially to those who still think the movie is the Citizen Kane of the 80s. Top Gun is still undeniably fun at times, and probably worthy of some respect as the definitive cinematic relic of the 80s. Similar Movies: Days Of Thunder ("Top Car") ; Cocktail ("Top Bar") ; Flight Of The Intruder; Firebirds; Hot Shots!