This month marks the 30th anniversary of the release of “Top Gun,” and on Friday the action classic kicks off the Intrepid Museum’s Summer Movie Series. Filled with exciting aerial fight scenes and characters with impossibly cool nicknames, “Top Gun” was as close to a good superhero movie as we got in the ’80s. Here are three things we can all agree are totally awesome about “Top Gun.”
Let’s go, USA!
Although the Cold War was winding down, “Top Gun” was patriotic filmmaking at its finest. The acts of derring-do Maverick (Cruise) and Goose (Anthony Edwards) performed against the Russians were so thrilling, the movie has been called an effective Navy recruitment film.
It’s so quotable
“I feel the need … for speed!” “Goose, it’s time to buzz the tower.” “Take me to bed, or lose me forever.” And a personal favorite: “You can be my wingman anytime.”
Tom Cruise
This was Cruise at his most charming — before Scientology, before he creeped out Katie Holmes, before he hopped around on Oprah’s couch. Cruise’s portrayal of Maverick was magnetic in a way we hadn’t seen since “Risky Business.” For that, he can be our wingman anytime.
Free. Friday, 7 p.m. Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, Pier 86 at West 46th Street; HudsonRiverPark.org/events