Chapter 332: Top Gun I
As covered, Creed Entertainment needn't worry about topping Watchmen up.
Overshadowing something so nuclear-ly infused wasn't going to be easy. Nor was building on whatever momentum is long in place.
Then again, as the blinding light of the sun, with all of its nuclear-infused glory, shone on the theater screen. Of course, it didn't take long for it to be overshadowed.
Darkness from the unknown crept in and the signature solar eclipse of the Creed family brought in a dim and picturesque balance.
Creed Pictures was then built over it... along with a grand overture to cap off the grand and momentous theme that this film company would have.
Alexander would have appreciated the Pixar-improved sequence a lot more with some popcorn, however, two different dainty hands didn't give him a chance.
He looked to the popcorn-munching girls at his left and right, wondering how their childish competition evolved into who could take more from his popcorn patch.
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After the improved Creed logo, the Top Gun theme starts playing. It sounds ominous, but also pretty awesome.
Most premiere attendees were getting ready for something cool, they just know it.
A small paragraph appeared on the screen. In 1969, apparently, the Navy realized that aerial combat just wasn't what it should be.
As such a school was created to teach the "lost art of dog fighting." It's called Fighter Weapons School but the pilots call it…
TOPGUN!
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We're now on an aircraft carrier. It appears to be near dusk, and the deck is shrouded in exhaust, smoke, and mist.
Carrier staff can be seen preparing planes for takeoff as the music slowly builds.
As soon as planes start taking off one of the movie's most popular songs starts playing: Kenny Log... erm... Marshmello's "Danger Zone.
Planes take off and land during the sequence, and the scene is nothing short of exhilarating.
Introducing Maverick and Goose: USS. Enterprise's hotshot flying duo!
Maverick (Tom Cruise) and Goose (Anthony Edwards), Aviator Lieutenant and Radio Interceptor Officer, are best buddies and fly in the same plane.
We see their suave, lavish style and daring professional duties. For a minute there, the lifestyle seems to be all one could dream of. Not for long.
They’re soon called to wade off hostile approaches from an enemy combatant.
They team up to take on the MiG-28s, along with Cougar, their wingman.
What's a MiG-28? A fictional aircraft used both in this movie and in a few other places.
In reality, the MiG-28s in the film were just F-5s painted black and with a red star on their tails. Signaling that it's definitely from some communist country.
The MiG-28 happens to be tough and advanced. Freezing poor Cougar right in the middle of the action. But Maverick isn’t one to leave his mates.
We see his true leadership skills when he defies Stinger's orders to fly Cougar back to safety. Another skill that shines bright is Maverick’s unique skill with the craft.
One of the maneuvers that he pulled off again in a heroic fashion was flying his plane inverted. An iconic shot, without doubt. Minus the middle finger.
Navy attendees were put off but the rest were wowed.
"Your ego is writing checks your body can't cash."
Anyways, Maverick does get the scolding from boss Stinger for it but does not apologize for his quick decision-making.
However, the incident shakes Cougar up so much that his early retirement paves the way for Maverick, against Stinger's will, to attend the Fighter Weapons School, TOPGUN.
Hence, re-introducing Maverick and Goose: Top Gun’s Newest Students!
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"Danger Zone" plays again in the background.
What danger zone are Maverick and Goose about to enter?
"Danger Zone" plays and Maverick is hauling on his motorcycle at dusk.
An F-14 is taking off just to his right. Maverick is pumped, raises his fist, and then accelerates his motorcycle.
The F-14 is his hot rod in the air, the motorcycle is his hot rod on land.
For someone in the defense forces, Maverick certainly acts out a lot.
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The music fades, and old video footage of a plane being shot down is shown.
A guy is talking about how much better Navy pilots were during the Korean War as opposed to Vietnam.
Top-piloting honcho, Jester (Michael Ironside), continues talking about the Navy and the origins of the Fighter Weapons School.
Maverick and Goose are sitting next to each other: this is their first day at TOPGUN.
Both of them are joined by other elite pilots, including the duo that will be their main rivals for the Top Gun trophy: Iceman (Val Kilmer) and Slider (Rick Rossovich).
Jester introduces the school's head honcho, and apparently, the first guy to win the trophy that these elites coveted: Commander Mike Metcalf, a.k.a. Viper!
Viper (Tom Skerritt) gives the new class a pep talk, telling them that even though they are the best pilots in the business, Top Gun will make them better.
Maverick can't seem to pay attention, and he keeps looking back toward a good-looking blond guy, Iceman, who can't stop twirling a gold pen in his hand.
Viper asks the class if they think their name will be on the Top Gun trophy that's at the back of the room.
Maverick says he thinks his will be, Viper tells him he's arrogant, and then adds "I like that in a pilot."
Goose isn't exactly thrilled about Maverick's display of arrogance, but it sure seems like Goose is used to his partner's antics.
The scene ends with some joking among the pilots, with Goose looking at the Top Gun trophy, pointing at it, and exclaiming: "No no no no, there's two o's in Goose boys."
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Hip, 80's music starts playing, and Maverick and Goose enter a nightclub full of Navy dudes in their dress white uniforms.
Goose and Maverick approach the bar, and Goose points out the blonde guy from the classroom: Iceman.
Goose provides further details, and offers some thoughts about the origins of his name: "That's how he flies, ice cold, no mistakes."
The guy who was sitting next to Iceman walks by, and Goose flags him down: Slider, Iceman's RIO (radar intercept officer).
After some good-natured, chops-busting, with just a hint of aggressiveness via Slider asking Goose whose "butt" he kissed to get into Top Gun, Iceman approaches.
Iceman already knows Goose, who proceeds to introduce Iceman and Maverick.
Things start out okay, with Iceman talking about his relationship with Cougar. Hinting that they were like "brothers in flight school".
Things immediately get competitive, with Iceman tossing off a litany of thinly disguised insults.
He's heard Maverick likes to work alone. A jab at Maverick's problem with doing his own thing, even when he's not supposed to.
He even asks Maverick if he needs any help. Iceman qualifies this statement by asking Maverick if he's figured out who the best pilot is, but he's really implying that Maverick might need a little tutoring.
After some more banter, Ice and Slider leave, and Goose jokingly refers to them as "abused children."
Iceman Kazanksy is the nemesis every hero needs to elevate the dramatic effect in a film. Instantly developing an averseness to Maverick for his recklessness.
The other side of the coin is that Maverick does not believe in teamwork and prefers to be a lone wolf.
Hence the start of the rivalry with Kazansky.
Setting the film up for one of the many conflicts that the maverick main character had to deal with!