--- title: "Top Gun: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/top-gun/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/top-gun" critics_score: 68 critics_reviews: 10 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Top Gun (1986): what the critics said Critics' score 68 from 10 reviews: 5 positive, 5 mixed, 0 negative. The reviews lean towards qualified enjoyment, with agreement strongest on the flying sequences. Critics repeatedly praise the aerial photography, dogfight choreography and sense of speed, finding excitement in the cockpit even when the story offers little surprise. Tony Scott’s glossy direction also draws praise, while the soundtrack and recognisably 1980s style help explain the film’s continuing appeal for its warmer admirers. The division is over how much the scenes on the ground matter. Reservations cluster around the predictable rivalry, unconvincing romance and clunky dialogue, with some critics also troubled by the celebration of military power and male competitiveness. The spread runs from mixed assessments to enthusiastic endorsement: The Playlist embraces the machismo and quotable dialogue as pleasures in themselves, whereas the Los Angeles Times finds the male bonding disturbing and the technological spectacle empty. Even the more sceptical reviews concede that the aerial action delivers. ## Empire — Adam Smith Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 2 February 2006. Treats the film as a cinematic souvenir and peerless historical artifact of mid-1980s pop cinema rather than a work of art. Singles out the still-exciting flying sequences and its status as infinitely rewatchable cultural icon. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/top-gun-review/) ## The New York Times — Vincent Canby Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 8 June 1986. The film is absurd with a standard plot but enjoyable, especially for its extraordinary aerial dogfight footage that feels supersonic and alluring. It carries on the spirit of classic military aviation movies while delivering glossy, high-tech spectacle. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/1986/06/08/movies/film-view-vintage-plotting-propels-mach-ii-planes-in-top-gun.html) ## Time Out — CPea Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 16 January 2012. The plot is risible and the direction routine with a questionable ethic, but the flying sequences stir the blood like speed and make for a great ride. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/top-gun) ## Radio Times — David Parkinson Rating 3/5. The flying sequences deliver quality entertainment value through realistic aerial footage, but the rivalry, romance and overall macho daydream plot are pure bunk that only the director salvages somewhat. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-5bzkr1/top-gun/) ## RogerEbert.com — Roger Ebert Fi1m's normalised score 60/100 (inferred from the text). 16 May 1986. The aerial dogfight sequences are brilliantly choreographed and exciting, giving a real sense of being in combat. The ground-bound scenes, including the romance and character drama, are grimly predictable and unconvincing. [Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/top-gun-1986) ## Los Angeles Times — Michael Wilmington Fi1m's normalised score 50/100 (inferred from the text). 16 May 1986. It is an exciting but disturbing, mind-boggling yet vacuous male-bonding adventure fixated on being the best, with impressive high-tech aerial visuals and hardware. The plot recycles old clichés and feels like an empty-headed technological marvel or disco war that evaporates quickly. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-05-16-ca-5901-story.html) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Duane Byrge 9 May 1986. The critic calls Top Gun a certain summer blockbuster with all the earmarks of being the biggest grosser in years. The technical credits and direction of Tony Scott are the star of the production, with sensational dog-fighting sequences and sound work that puts viewers in the cockpit. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/top-gun-review-movie-1986-1208834/) ## The Playlist — The Playlist Staff Rating A. 10 November 2010. The critic describes it as Tony Scott's early-career masterpiece and a milestone blockbuster, praising its machismo, quotable dialogue, unmatched aerial camerawork and lasting iconic status despite cheesy elements. [Read the review](https://theplaylist.net/tony-scott-films-essentials-20101110/) ## Den of Geek — Jarrett Kruse Rating 4.5/5. 9 March 2013. The critic praises the film's iconic status as quintessential 80s escapism and popcorn entertainment, singling out the thrilling aerial dogfighting sequences and memorable soundtrack for their enduring appeal. He notes that the IMAX 3D re-release adds little value and some dialogue and scenes now feel dated or cheesy. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/top-gun-imax-3d-1986-review/) ## /Film — Jeremy Smith Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 27 May 2022. The review calls the film spectacularly entertaining yet terminally stupid, a glossy product that glorifies military might and jingoism while delivering thrilling aerial sequences and iconic pop culture impact. [Read the review](https://www.slashfilm.com/876903/top-gun-was-a-lie-told-with-style/) ## Eye for Film — Jennie Kermode Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 31 January 2016. Festival review. The critic highlights Cruise, the cheesy soundtrack and stunning aerial photography as main selling points but finds the narrative weak with clunky dialogue and non-action scenes that drag, emphasizing style over substance. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/top-gun-1986-film-review-by-jennie-kermode) ## Collider — Adam Chitwood 13 May 2020. The critic finds the 1986 film better than remembered, especially in 4K, praising Tony Scott's direction for its sweaty, poetic visuals and thrilling aerial sequences. The emotional core is highlighted as the platonic love story between Maverick and Goose amid the macho elements. [Read the review](https://collider.com/top-gun-4k-review/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/top-gun.md