Explosive, stylish and endlessly quotable, Top Gun, which turns 40 this year, still remains one of the most iconic action dramas ever made. A thrilling blend of high-speed aerial combat, unforgettable music and pure Hollywood charisma, this 1986 classic still soars decades later thanks to its adrenaline-fuelled energy and timeless crowd-pleasing appeal.
Part action film, part romance and part coming-of-age drama, Top Gun follows talented but reckless naval aviator Pete “Maverick” Mitchell as he competes at the elite Top Gun Fighter Weapons School. While battling rival pilots and dangerous training exercises, Maverick must confront personal loss, responsibility and the pressures of living up to his late father’s reputation. Director Tony Scott gives the film its legendary visual style through glowing sunsets, dramatic cockpit cinematography and pulse-pounding flight sequences that revolutionised aerial action filmmaking. Themes of ambition, confidence, friendship and redemption give the film emotional weight beneath the spectacle.
The cast are almost mythical, headed up by Tom Cruise (Mission Impossible) who became a global superstar through his charismatic performance as Maverick. Anthony Edwards (ER) unforgettable as Goose, Val Kilmer (Batman Forever) delivering a memorable turn as Ice Man, while Kelly McGillis (Witness) provides the romantic interest with heart and romance. The film was a massive box-office success, won an Academy Award for Take My Breath Away and became a defining pop-culture phenomenon praised for its soundtrack, action and iconic style.
The film will be preceded by a short introduction by a member of the Halstead Empire team on why the film is regarded as a classic, some great trivia and interesting things to look out for during the screening. Come join us and celebrate the film's 40th anniversary with appreciative fellow cinema fans at The Empire on the big screen where it looks and sounds it’s best. Enjoy once again, (or perhaps for the first time) on the big screen at our wonderful cinema, the BIG picture, the all important BIG sound, the action, the fantastic soundtrack and the classic lines. So if you have “a need, a need for speed” or if you have not “lost your loving feeling” for this movie then you really do not want to miss this one!
If you enjoyed the recent re-boot of the franchise Top Gun: Maverick (2022) or films like Days of Thunder (1990) and Iron Eagle (1986) you are sure to enjoy Top Gun.
