Following the trend of re-releasing films back into theaters (see Titanic’s re-release in 2012) this weekend, is Tony Scott’s 1986 classic Top Gun. Arguably one of the films that made Tom Cruise the superstar actor he has since become, Top Gun will open to limited screens in the 3-Dimensional format.
“I feel the need…the need for speed,” is only one of the immortal cinematic sayings from this film that stars Tom Cruise as Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, a pilot in the Navy. After a maneuver that sees his wingman lose control and causes him to turn in his wings, Maverick is moved up in standings to the Top Gun Naval Flying School. Maverick of course is different from the rest of the students as he learns some things from a civilian instructor that are taught in the classroom. He makes a few enemies in the other students in the process, particularly top student Tom “Iceman” Kasansky (Val Kilmer).
Featuring a cast of young 80s talents, Top Gun helped to either spawn or reinforce the star power of its cast. Tom Cruise was cemented as a leading man from this film alone while Val Kilmer also increased in popularity. Meg Ryan, Tom Skerritt, Anthony Edwards, and Tim Robbins rounds out the cast.
Originally released on May 16, 1986, Top Gun was a success and became the highest grossing film of 1986, taking in an estimated worldwide box office total of more than $353 million. In addition to winning the box office and further launching Cruise into the star stratosphere, the film also retains one of the most popular soundtracks ever.
Today Top Gun will be released in 3-D format in select theaters and IMAX screens. Rehashing the popularity of older films is becoming a trend in Hollywood, and while some say leave the originals alone, it gives new generations a chance to discover the film in the media it was originally released in. Nothing compares to the big screen experience of two jet fighters engaged in battle.
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