Hot Shots! (1991)

Parody of "Top Gun" in which a talented but unstable fighter pilot must overcome the ghosts of his father and save a mission sabotaged by greedy weapons manufacturers.

Director:

Jim Abrahams

Writers:

Jim Abrahams, Pat Proft

Stars:

Charlie Sheen, Cary Elwes, Valeria Golino

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Charlie Sheen	...	Lt. Topper Harley / Rhett Butler / Superman
Cary Elwes	...	Lt. Kent Gregory
Valeria Golino	...	Ramada Thompson / Scarlett O'Hara / Lois Lane
Lloyd Bridges	...	Adm. Thomas 'Tug' Benson
Kevin Dunn	...	Lt. Cmdr. James Block
Jon Cryer	...	Jim 'Wash Out' Pfaffenbach
William O'Leary	...	Pete 'Dead Meat' Thompson
Kristy Swanson	...	Kowalski
Efrem Zimbalist Jr.	...	Wilson
Bill Irwin	...	Buzz Harley
Heidi Swedberg	...	Mary Thompson
Bruce A. Young	...	'Red' Herring
Ryan Stiles	...	'Mailman' Farnham
Rino Thunder	...	Owatonna 'The Old One'
Mark Arnott	...	Rosener

Storyline

Topper Harley, a top gun fighter pilot, is recalled to serve on the SS Essess. Topper's mission is to destroy Saddam Hussein's nuclear plants. Unfortunately, Topper is psychologically imbalanced and is sure to crack under pressure.

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Plot Keywords:

native american | saddam hussein | drill instructor | blockbuster | cult film | 

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Taglines:

Unprecendented! Uncut! Under 10 dollars!

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Genres:

Action | Comedy | War

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Certificate:

PG-13

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

31 July 1991 (USA)

Also Known As:

Hot Shots: An Important Movie!

Filming Locations:

300 S Hope St, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Gross:

$69,467,617 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

84 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The aircraft carrier on which the movie takes place is actually a wooden deck built on the edge of a cliff at a deserted Marineland facility. The film was shot at an angle that made the deck look like a ship at sea.

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Goofs

During Dead Meat's crash the ambulance's license plates have different numbers.

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Quotes

[Wash Out can't read the number on the runway he's landing on]
Jim 'Wash Out' Pfaffenbach: I need clearance to land on runway thirty... thirty... something!
Air Controller: Thirtysomething's been cancelled.

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Crazy Credits

TOPPING FOR BROWNIES 1/2 cup butter 3 squares butter chocolate,melted 2 1/2 cups confectioners sugar 1 or 2 teaspoons cinnamon(optional) 2 egg yolks,beaten Cream butter until light and lemon coloured. Gradually add sugar and egg yolks. Add chocolate.

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Connections

References ABC Afterschool Specials (1972)

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Soundtracks

"WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW IS LOVE"
Written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David

User Reviews

I have to admit, I actually laughed more than few times

I'm not sure why, but I guess I was interested in seeing the first Hot Shots since my mom only has the sequel and I noticed the movie in Blockbuster, I also love Charlie Sheen in comedies, he works so well in spoofs. Not to mention all in all, I do love spoofs, most work for me. It's just the kind comedy that I like. Hot Shots! proved itself to be a worthy spoof that is more than worth watching. It spoofs Top Gun, An Officer and a Gentleman, 9 1/2 Weeks, Gone with the Wind, Rocky, among many other movies.

Topper is a pilot who is wanted back in the navy and falls for a woman, but he has an edge is considered a rebel. Cary Elwes gives him a hard time constantly, especially since his father caused Cary's father to have a freak plane accident. Cary is also in love with Topper's woman and wants revenge.

Hot Shots is a great comedy that I have to admit is a guilty pleasure, but it has so much that most comedies lack now a days. It's just a fun innocent movie that deserves a little bit of a higher rating. Charlie Sheen rocks in comedies, although they have destroyed my new favorite guilty pleasure, 9 1/2 Weeks, it's all good.

7/10