Isla Carter

The cinematography, engaging air manoeuvring, along with the soundtrack serve as a stimulating foundation for what could have been an excellent film. Sadly, though, that is where the allure comes to a fast end. Poor character development, cliché and predictable plot points, and a dated, misogynistic view of romance left me scratching my head. I couldn't help but wonder what drives people to watch this film, beyond nostalgia. While I would not recommend this film to a friend looking to spend the night in, eating popcorn, I wouldn't deter somebody from watching if their heart was set on it. Given the run time, there are worse ways to spend an hour and a half. Top Gun is a film grounded in superficiality; pretty planes, awe inspiring dog fights, an incredible soundtrack, but little else. It's a gorgeous film with little else to offer.