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Top Gun

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 12, age appropriate for kids over 14; suggested age 12.
  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Tom Cruise classic still revs engines.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 12–14

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Winning is the most important thing to these characters. While sexism is quite noticeable, two strong female characters help keep some of the objectification in check.
  • Violence:

    A main character is killed when his head smashes into the hood of the plane. A lot of fighter pilot skirmishes (including missiles/explosions) and mild peril.
  • Sex:

    A graphic-for-its time love scene, but no nudity; some gratuitious use of tongue kissing. A teacher sleeps with her (adult) student.
  • Language:

    Mostly limited to "son of a bitch," "goddamn," and "ass."
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Maverick drinks wine and then drives off on his motorcycle. Some drinking of beer and smoking of cigars by adults.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Top Gun

Parents need to know that this blockbuster thriller is chock-full of narrow escapes, chases, and battles -- just what teens love to see. But parents beware: This film shows some violent deaths, chiefly the death of a main character, which make it too violent for most tweens. Teens will love the cool ambiance and the exhilarating action sequences. There's one graphic-for-its-time sex scene, though no nudity, and in one iconic scene there are quite a few naked male torsos on a beach volleyball court. Winning is the most important thing to all the pilots, who try to intimidate one another with plenty of posturing and banter. While sexism is quite noticeable, two strong female characters help keep some of the objectification in check.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about whether they believe the moral of the story: "There are no points for second place." Is winning all that matters? What would you jeopardize to win? Do you think it was right for Charlie to pursue a romantic relationship with Maverick?

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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language

    good movie

    good movie but has some inappropriate sex and it was not needed in the movie there was also some profanity

  2. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate language

    Awesome movie!

    This movie is absolutely incredible. Great theme song and anthem. IT also shows the characters feelings very well. Some violence and mild cussing, but nothing major.

  3. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title iffy for age 12 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language

  4. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Arizona
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 5.0

  5. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    One of My Favorite Movies...

    I realize that many people don't like this movie. That's fine, but it is still great to me. I've even heard people say it's everything that was bad about the eighties. Don't be fooled. With it's rock and roll, aerial combat, and the underlying message about competitiveness, it shows me what's cool about the 80's.

  6. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in North Carolina
    I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 4.0

  7. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

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