Hot Shots! (1991)

A parody of Top Gun (1986) 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	...	Topper Harley / Rhett Butler / Superman
Cary Elwes	...	Kent Gregory
Valeria Golino	...	Ramada Thompson / Scarlett O'Hara / Lois Lane
Lloyd Bridges	...	Adm. Benson
Kevin Dunn	...	Lt. Cmdr. 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	...	Mrs. 'Dead Meat' 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:

1990s | mission | iraq | combat | plane | 

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Taglines:

There's something funny in the air.

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Genres:

Action | Comedy

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Certificate:

PG-13

Did You Know?

Trivia

Lloyd Bridges refers to a fellow, saying that he, "used to scuba with that man." In the late fifties and early sixties Bridges was best known as the star of the scuba-diving detective series Sea Hunt (1958).

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Goofs

After bailing out, Wash Out lands a "square" (ram air) parachute. In the next and subsequent scenes, he is being dragged by a round ("mushroom") canopy.

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Quotes

Topper Harley: I could never find time for love. It's too heavy. It's an anchor that drowns a man. Besides, I got the sky, the smell of jet exhaust, my bike.
Pete 'Dead Meat' Thompson: A loner?
Topper Harley: No. I own it.

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Crazy Credits

Precious Paper Boy

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Alternate Versions

The UK cinema version was cut to receive a '12' certificate by the BBFC with the removal of one use of 'fucking' and to add a warning sign, advising against the dangers of helium inhalation, during the scene where Topper smokes the peace pipe. An additional cut was made for the PG-rated video version to remove references to incest and bestiality from one of Topper's quips, bringing the cuts total to 22 secs. All later DVD releases still feature the heavily cut video print, but the Blu-ray release was passed completely uncut with a '12' rating in 2013.

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Connections

Referenced in Special Collector's Edition: La princesa prometida (2011)

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Soundtracks

U Can't Touch This
Written by M.C. Hammer, Rick James and Alonzo Miller
Performed by M.C. Hammer
Courtesy of Capitol Records
By Arrangement with Cema Special Markets

User Reviews

One of the best parodies of all time

I watched this movie after watching a really poorly made one, so this film came off like Citizen Kane in many respects. After not watching this film for such a long time, I came into this viewing wit ha more trained eye, and to say the least, it was as good then as it is now. This is easily one of those parody movies that will live forever, especially due to all of the great scenes on the aircraft carriers (dogs chasing the plane, the dancing, etc.). While the film did have its dull moments, there were too many funny moments. Charlie Sheen seemed perfect for this role, simply because it looked like he tackled this movie with a serious purpose. Cary Elwes was also good, considering the stuffy Brit took on the whole comedy role quite well. Kudos to all who had a hand in this film.

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

Budget:

$26,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$10,848,182, 4 August 1991

Gross USA:

$69,467,617

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$181,096,164

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox, Peter V. Miller Investment Corp.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

84 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1