Top Gun

Top Gun Literary Elements

Director

Tony Scott

Leading Actors/Actresses

Tom Cruise, Kelly McGillis

Supporting Actors/Actresses

Anthony Edwards, Tom Skerritt, Val Kilmer

Genre

Action, Thriller, Drama

Language

English

Awards

Academy Award for Best Original Song

Date of Release

May 16, 1986

Producer

Don Simpson & Jerry Bruckheimer

Setting and Context

First, an aircraft carrier in the Indian Ocean, then Top Gun training camp in Miramar, California

Narrator and Point of View

No narrator.

Tone and Mood

Dramatic, high action, suspenseful

Protagonist and Antagonist

Protagonist: Maverick; Antagonist: Iceman

Major Conflict

Maverick is a great pilot, but his recklessness is preventing him from being the best naval aviator in his program.

Climax

The climax occurs when Maverick saves Iceman in the rescue mission and proves himself to be the best pilot in the navy.

Foreshadowing

Understatement

Innovations in Filming or Lighting or Camera Techniques

Allusions

Paradox

Throughout people scold Maverick for being reckless and foolish, but in the same breath praise him for his bravery. The things that make Maverick so infuriating to his superiors is also what makes him such an asset to the Navy.

Parallelism

Maverick and Goose are in parallel to Iceman and Slider.

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