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33 years ago today, a magnificent film was released.
A generation of cultural touchstones were born.
And "Take My Breath Away" became a mainstay of proms ever since.
Top Gun is an iconic film, and one of my favorites of all time.
Here's why...
1/
33 years ago today, a magnificent film was released.
A generation of cultural touchstones were born.
And "Take My Breath Away" became a mainstay of proms ever since.
Top Gun is an iconic film, and one of my favorites of all time.
Here's why...
1/
Growing up, I didn't have many cultural heroes. The ones I did have were mostly masculine archetypes who offered Lost Boy wish fulfillment.
Jack Ryan from the Clancy novels.
Jason Bourne from the Ludlum novels.
Arnold in everything.
Top Gun gave me two.
2/
Jack Ryan from the Clancy novels.
Jason Bourne from the Ludlum novels.
Arnold in everything.
Top Gun gave me two.
2/
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What little boy who upon first seeing Top Gun didn't want to be Maverick?
Cocky, fit, handsome, charismatic.
When we first meet him, an unexpected incursion of MiG's has shaken Cougar's nerves, and Maverick has to risk his life to help Cougar land safely.
3/
What little boy who upon first seeing Top Gun didn't want to be Maverick?
Cocky, fit, handsome, charismatic.
When we first meet him, an unexpected incursion of MiG's has shaken Cougar's nerves, and Maverick has to risk his life to help Cougar land safely.
3/
Young men don't understand it, but what they witness in that scene is the very beating heart of brotherhood.
It is knowing that you'd rather die than fail a brother.
Maverick is arrogant. But he's also revealed as a stalwart and capable friend.
https://twitter.com/Flyover_Country/status/1117531840653549568
4/
It is knowing that you'd rather die than fail a brother.
Maverick is arrogant. But he's also revealed as a stalwart and capable friend.
https://twitter.com/Flyover_Country/status/1117531840653549568
4/
As the movie unfolds, we see more of Pete Mitchell, the man that is Maverick when he's behind the stick.
A son who lost his father to aerial combat, and is lied to by the government about it.
A grieving best friend who blames himself for a brother's death.
5/
A son who lost his father to aerial combat, and is lied to by the government about it.
A grieving best friend who blames himself for a brother's death.
5/
Maverick follows the familiar beats of the Hero's Journey - from the Call of Adventure to Return with the Elixir (Redemption).
He comes full circle in his grief when he is called again to the defense of his brother, Iceman, and their shared duty to their nation.
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He comes full circle in his grief when he is called again to the defense of his brother, Iceman, and their shared duty to their nation.
6/
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Beyond Maverick, however, I most wanted to be like Viper.
To me, he was what a man should be: dignified, resolute, more wiley and capable than the young bucks, gloriously moustached.
A true leader of dangerous men.
7/
Beyond Maverick, however, I most wanted to be like Viper.
To me, he was what a man should be: dignified, resolute, more wiley and capable than the young bucks, gloriously moustached.
A true leader of dangerous men.
7/
Two moments define the character of Viper.
First, when he must discipline Maverick and Goose for breaking RoE in a training mission. He is the Disciplinarian, shepherding two wayward sons to maturity.
Second, encouraging Maverick late in the film:
"I'll fly with you."
8/
First, when he must discipline Maverick and Goose for breaking RoE in a training mission. He is the Disciplinarian, shepherding two wayward sons to maturity.
Second, encouraging Maverick late in the film:
"I'll fly with you."
8/
This is what the greatest leaders do. They meet one at their point of need, with an eye ever towards helping one become his best self.
That's the man I wished to become, and still do.
The Anchor, the Patriarch, and the Mentor for those whose work of self is not done.
9/
That's the man I wished to become, and still do.
The Anchor, the Patriarch, and the Mentor for those whose work of self is not done.
9/
Beyond the masculine archetypes, there's much truth in the male-to-male interactions within the movie, however ridiculous they at first appear.
Posturing. Conflict. Competition.
But above all: RESPECT.
Masculinity is meritocratic. Respect is earned, and thus, valuable.
10/
Posturing. Conflict. Competition.
But above all: RESPECT.
Masculinity is meritocratic. Respect is earned, and thus, valuable.
10/
Top Gun is unreservedly, unashamedly masculine.
Things explode. People die. The stakes are high. There's swearing, swagger, and the first sex scene most boys saw on film.
All of that is why my mom rolled her eyes whenever I watched it for the fiftieth time growing up.
11/
Things explode. People die. The stakes are high. There's swearing, swagger, and the first sex scene most boys saw on film.
All of that is why my mom rolled her eyes whenever I watched it for the fiftieth time growing up.
11/
And it's why, even today, I make sure to re-watch it at least once a year.
So much of modern media is nihilistic, shocking for its own sake, or ironically self-aware.
Traditional masculine values are spit upon and mocked as beneath our nu-society.
12/
So much of modern media is nihilistic, shocking for its own sake, or ironically self-aware.
Traditional masculine values are spit upon and mocked as beneath our nu-society.
12/
Top Gun is an antidote.
It is brash and bold, rooted in an era where America had come to believe in itself once again.
My oldest son will watch it with me soon. I'll tell him why Viper and Maverick are awesome.
And I'll do my best every day to live it.
13/
It is brash and bold, rooted in an era where America had come to believe in itself once again.
My oldest son will watch it with me soon. I'll tell him why Viper and Maverick are awesome.
And I'll do my best every day to live it.
13/
