When it’s the bottom of the 9th and the score is tied, American hero Pete “Maverick” Mitchell (Tom Cruise) is always ready for the big one. Heck, for this renegade, it’s just a walk in the park.
When it’s the bottom of the 9th and the score is tied, American hero Pete “Maverick” Mitchell (Tom Cruise) is always ready for the big one. Heck, for this renegade, it’s just a walk in the park.Top Gun IS America, an immortal ode to patriotic American bruhs grabbing life by the friggin’ horns and just absolutely crushing it.
This is not our opinion, mind you. It’s scientific fact that people that don’t like Top Gun suck and that people that love it literally rule.
The 1986 Action blockbuster classic (which somehow managed to score a PG rating upon its release), directed by Gallantry Man Legend Tony Scott, written by Jim Cash and Jack Epps Jr., and produced by the late Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer (in association with Paramount Pictures), two of the most bro producers to ever do it, is a true encapsulation of its era, an unabashed celebration of all things America at the pinnacle of America’s America-ness - the 1980’s.
“What did I tell you when I hired you? What did I tell you on DAY NUMBER ONE? Never come to set without your everyday carry from Gallantry. Ever!”
“What did I tell you when I hired you? What did I tell you on DAY NUMBER ONE? Never come to set without your everyday carry from Gallantry. Ever!”- Top Gun Director Tony Scott, probably
Seriously, though, producing duo Bruckheimer and Simpson selected Scott to direct the picture specifically due to his background in directing commercials. For this budding producing duo, Top Gun wasn’t just a movie. It was an advertisement…FOR AMERICA.
Maverick and Goose, just two bros feeling a serious need…the need for speed!
Maverick and Goose, just two bros feeling a serious need…the need for speed!Inspired by Ehud Yonay’s 1983 California magazine article “Top Guns”, the high velocity Top Gun follows fast-talking air cowboy Pete “Maverick” Mitchell (Tom Cruise), a young, naturally talented, cocky, and brash naval aviator/full-time hotshot kicking ass, taking names, and living live between his legs alongside his best bro, Radar Intercept Officer LTJG Nick “Goose” Bradshaw (Anthony Edwards), at the prestigious US Navy’s Fighter Weapons School at Naval Air Station Miramar in San Diego.
Lt. Tom “Iceman” Kazansky may be more by the book than loose cannon Maverick, his rival-turned-wingman, but you better believe he’s got moves.
Lt. Tom “Iceman” Kazansky may be more by the book than loose cannon Maverick, his rival-turned-wingman, but you better believe he’s got moves.Maverick, it’s not your flying; it’s your attitude. The enemy’s dangerous, but right now you’re worse. Dangerous and foolish. You may not like who’s flying with you, but whose side are you on?
- Lt. Tom “Iceman” Kazansky (Val Kilmer)
The extremely competitive and charming American badass known as Maverick doesn’t play by the rules in his quest to become the Top Gun while attending the elite combat training school, so from the jump he butts heads with rival and fellow classmate Lt. Tom “Iceman” Kazansky (Val Kilmer), a studied, stoic superstar who doesn’t exactly appreciate the fact that wild card Maverick is encroaching on his turf (there’s a reason he tells Maverick “Every time you go up in the air, you’re unsafe. I don’t like you because you’re dangerous”).
“That's right! Ice... man. I am dangerous!”
“That's right! Ice... man. I am dangerous!”As if refusing to respect the existing order wasn’t enough drama for Maverick, his new life gets further complicated when he gets the (and eventually acts on his) hots for his smokeshow civilian teacher, Charlotte “Charlie” Blackwood (Kelly McGillis) while prepping for the biggest mission of his life.
“Well, I guess when I see something I go right after it.”
- Maverick, Top Gun
Oh yeah. Did we mention that there’s some serious danger lurking in these Top Gun skies?
Hot chicks. A raw, bombastic, and insanely fire best-selling soundtrack. Beautiful photography. Perhaps the most legendary quotable lines from any movie, ever. Absolutely bananas machismo-packed, suspense-filled action sequences that deliver pulsating, realistic kinetic thrills via the greatest whiplash-inducing aerial stunts (how about those F-14 squadron jets, right?) ever to hit the big screen. Friggin’ classic character nicknames (see “Viper”, “Jester”, “Cougar”, “Wolfman”, “Slider”, “Merlin”, “Sundown”, “Hollywood”, “Stinger”, and “Chipper”). Faceless soviet baddies. Top Gun is the story of redemption that literally has ‘em all.
No wonder the flick propelled Tom Cruise, arguably the greatest movie star of all-time, to megastardom! HEYO!
Maverick charms Charlie by singing “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’” by The Righteous Brothers to her at the local watering hole. He crushes it, which is hardly a surprise since he’s been running the play since puberty. CLASSIC!
Maverick charms Charlie by singing “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’” by The Righteous Brothers to her at the local watering hole. He crushes it, which is hardly a surprise since he’s been running the play since puberty. CLASSIC!The bottom line is simple. Every viewing of Top Gun is a trip directly into the Danger Zone and all the excitement that such a hero’s journey entails.
Kenny Powers and Shane Dog, two youngbloods, bringing some serious Top Gun (their favorite movie) energy to HBO’s Eastbound & Down. In the words of Shane Dog, “You just entered the mother****** Danger Zone!”
Kenny Powers and Shane Dog, two youngbloods, bringing some serious Top Gun (their favorite movie) Watch the classic trailer for the original Top Gun right HERE!
How did Maverick see another dude when he was directly above him? He was inverted!
How did Maverick see another dude when he was directly above him? He was inverted!THE LEGACY OF TOP GUN
“To be the best of the best means you make mistakes and then you go on.”
- Charlie
Ultimately, the theme of Top Gun, triumphing and becoming exceptional despite adversity, continues to resonate to this day for good reason. It’s why despite lukewarm reviews from unpatriotic critics and a production budget of only 15 million bucks, Top Gun grossed a whopping 356 million greenbacks at the box office (meanwhile, its soundtrack, which produced an Academy Award Best Original Song winner in “Take My Breath Away” by Berlin, went on to sell a head-exploding 9 million copies).
The impact of Top Gun on popular culture has been nothing short of spectacular since the jump. When the movie was released in May of 1986, applications to Annapolis went through the friggin’ roof - the number of young future Gallantry Man Legends eager to join the US Navy in hopes of becoming Naval Aviators shot up by a whopping 500%. The sales of Ray-Ban Aviator sunglasses (like the ones worn by the characters in the movie), meanwhile, jumped by an insane 40%.
As for imitation being the best form of flattery? Yeah, Top Gun inspired the epic spoof Hot Shots! (watch the trailer HERE) and served as fodder for MacGruber (the hilariousness really happens HERE).
Charlie Sheen as LT Sean "Topper" Harley in Hot Shots!
Charlie Sheen as LT Sean "Topper" Harley in Hot Shots!
Oh yeah, did we mention that the United States Library of Congress selected Top Gun for preservation in the National Film Registry in 2015 for being so culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant? Because, um, yeah - it did!
“It was now or never. [I want] to put the audience inside that F/A-18”
- Tom Cruise, Total Film Magazine
“HAVING ANY FUN YET?”
TOP GUN: MAVERICK IS COMING!
After years of delays due to post-production mayhem and COVID-19 (the flick was originally supposed to drop three years ago during the summer of 2019), Top Gun: Maverick, directed by Joseph Kosinski and co-written/co-produced The Usual Suspects/ Mission Impossible sequels legend Christopher McQuarrie, is finally dropping on May 27th.
Word around the campfire has it that the upcoming flick follows the courageous Maverick (now a test pilot/flight instructor with over 30 years of service under his belt, he continues to turn down any offers to advance his rank) as he trains new generation of pilots, which includes Lt. Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw, the son of Maverick's late RIO and best friend, Nick "Goose" Bradshaw, while confronting his past and an uncertain future.
Will it all culminate in the most ultimate mission that Maverick has ever faced?
Maverick is still Maverick…For [him], to see these pilots at the age he was in the first film, and the way they interact with each other and the excitement and love of aviation, but also the willingness to put themselves in danger’s way, certainly reminds him of the way he was. He has a lot of experience and loss along the way, to give him some context on that. When he sees Rooster, the son of his old wingman, that brings back a flood of memories and emotions that he hasn’t thought about in a while.
- Director Joseph Kosinksi, Den of Geek
YOU ALREADY KNOW IT!
“Relax, bro. I’m a Gallantry Man.”
“Relax, bro. I’m a Gallantry Man.”With an insane 152 million buck budget under its belt and a slam-bam-thank-you-Ma’am cast that includes Cruise (obviously)…
Looks like Gallantry Man Legend Miles Teller is replacing volleyball with some pigskin in Top Gun: Maverick.
Looks like Gallantry Man Legend Miles Teller is replacing volleyball with some pigskin in Top Gun: Maverick.…bro legend Miles Teller (as the late Goose’s son, Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw)…
All-Time Babe Jennifer Connelly as Penny Benjamin, Maverick’s new piece.
All-Time Babe Jennifer Connelly as Penny Benjamin, Maverick’s new piece.…hottie for life Jennifer Connelly…
Jon Hamm as Vice Admiral Cyclone
Jon Hamm as Vice Admiral Cyclone…Jon “I’m Don Draper, bro” Hamm…
Glen Powell as “Hangman” in Top Gun: Maverick
Glen Powell as “Hangman” in Top Gun: Maverick
…Glen “I’m Glen Powell” Powell, Ed Harris, and a whole bunch of other classic folks, it’s the understatement of the century to say that we’re looking forward to this one.
Have you seen the trailer for this flick? Seriously, watch the extended Super Bowl trailer HERE.
DUDE! These flight sequences look SICK! WHOO!
HOT DAMN! TALK ABOUT AN ADRENALINE RUSH, BOYS!
Consider us fully stoked.
If you need some cool stuff to hold you over before the sequel finally drops, learn about Miles Teller’s insane flight training with Tom Cruise for Top Gun: Maverick HERE, why the upcoming flick is personal to him HERE, and how he whipped himself into shape with a serious Top Gun workout HERE.
Watch Miles Teller shoot to the top of the A-list when Top Gun: Maverick drops.
Watch Miles Teller shoot to the top of the A-list when Top Gun: Maverick drops.Just you watch!!!
Going in, you know how hard [Tom Cruise] is going to work. Everyone knows the legend and it’s all legit. He elevates everyone around him. He is so dialed into the details that he not only knows every element of his job, but he knows what is going on in every department, from props to wardrobe. He’s a machine.
- Miles Teller, Men’s Journal
WHOO! HELL YEAH, BROTHER!
We have no idea what’s going to actually go down in Maverick, but the fact that Kilmer is going to be back as Iceman, not to mention that Maverick is clearly going to go full-stud and bag Jennifer Connelly in the flick…well, you know, that already makes the movie awesome.
“Don’t worry, babe. I got some Gallantry EDC back at my place. Yes. I’m talking about the Lite Collection from Bellroy. The whole thing!”
“Don’t worry, babe. I got some Gallantry EDC back at my place. Yes. I’m talking about the Lite Collection from Bellroy. The whole thing!”- Maverick (not really, but he should’ve said this)
Speaking of awesome, you’re a Gallantry Man Legend, so when you see something, you go right after it. That’s why when you’re going hard in the paint Mach 3-style a la Top Gun, you simply cannot afford to be weighed down by your everyday carry.
Enter Bellroy’s Lite Collection.
The bags in this collection are made from durable ripstop fabric that is a remarkable 3x lighter than other Bellroy bags. Make no mistake, though - these bad boys are just as strong. Better yet, they can be folded, rolled, and packed for travel.
In other words, Maverick would most definitely approve of ‘em.
When it comes to fresh everyday carry bags, these are the TOP GUNS, BABY!
THE LITE DUFFEL BAG FROM BELLROY
Welcome to Bellroy's brand new Lite collection. If you're looking for something you can easily grab for that upcoming long weekend, the Lite Duffel is right for you. With 30L of capacity, a spacious main compartment, an external zip compartment, slip pockets, and an integrated key clip, it has all the room that you need for that upcoming weekend trip you’ve got planned.
Not only does this Top Gun have a reinforced rim that provides stability when you're zipping it up, but it has got smooth folded-edge grab handles that’ll actually make you excited about the prospect of picking up your Lite Duffel.
Like the rest of the Lite collection, this environmentally friendly duffel is constructed from an extremely strong diamond ripstop made entirely from 100% recycled polyethylene plastic.
Light up your next weekend excursion with a fine piece of EDC that is light on your body and light on your wallet, you know what we mean?
SPECIFICATIONS
- Durable ripstop is 3X lighter than Bellroy's other fabric, and made from 100% recycled PET plastic bottles
- Can be folded or rolled, and packed for travel
- Zipper opens from each end, for ultra-wide, unobstructed access
- Spacious main compartment
- External zip compartment with slip pockets and integrated key clip
- Internal slip pockets for small items
- Internal cap pockets at each end
- Reinforced rim provides stability when zipping
- Adjustable and detachable padded shoulder strap
- Smooth, folded-edge grab handles
- 270 x 450 x 250mm
- 30L capacity
Lite Duffel Bag
$129.00
[tab-section data-sc-active-background="#ffffff" data-sc-other-background="#ffffff" data-sc-color="#555555"][tab title="Details"] Welcome to Bellroy's brand new Lite collection. If you're looking for something you can take on a long weekend, the Lite Duffel is right for you. At a 30L capacity this duffel has the capacity you… read more
Lite Duffel Bag
$129.00
[tab-section data-sc-active-background="#ffffff" data-sc-other-background="#ffffff" data-sc-color="#555555"][tab title="Details"] Welcome to Bellroy's brand new Lite collection. If you're looking for something you can take on a long weekend, the Lite Duffel is right for you. At a 30L capacity this duffel has the capacity you… read more
THE LITE DAYPACK FROM BELLROY
If you’re looking for a super lightweight backpack made from durable ripstop, one that seriously balances performance with comfort, this Daypack from the Bellroy Lite Collection is what’s up. Its 20L capacity is just right for a single day's needs, and its internal document sleeve and stretch bottle pocket make it superb for trips to work meetings.
Did we mention that this baby has an elevated essentials pocket that includes a key clip? That it has a raised sunglasses pocket fully secured by a water-resistant zip? That the featured padded, breathable mesh back panels and shoulder straps will keep you insanely comfortable? ‘Cause all the above are 100% true.
Like the rest of the fire everyday carry bags in the Lite collection, this light on your body, light on your wallet environmentally friendly duffel is made from an extremely strong diamond ripstop that is constructed entirely from 100% recycled polyethylene plastic.
SPECIFICATIONS
- Durable ripstop is 3X lighter than Bellroy's other fabric, and made from 100% recycled PET plastic bottles
- Can be folded or rolled, and packed for travel
- Internal document sleeve
- Elevated essentials pocket with key clip
- Stretch bottle pocket
- Raised sunglasses pocket with water-resistant zip
- Padded, breathable mesh back panels and shoulder straps
- Adjustable and detachable sternum strap
- Multiple accessory attachment loops
- 480 x 270 x 18mm
- 20L capacity
Lite Daypack
$99.00
[tab-section data-sc-active-background="#ffffff" data-sc-other-background="#ffffff" data-sc-color="#555555"][tab title="Details"] From the Bellroy Lite Collection, this Daypack is a super lightweight backpack made from a durable ripstop, balancing performance with comfort. Its 20L capacity is just right for a single day's needs, and an internal document sleeve… read more
Lite Daypack
$99.00
[tab-section data-sc-active-background="#ffffff" data-sc-other-background="#ffffff" data-sc-color="#555555"][tab title="Details"] From the Bellroy Lite Collection, this Daypack is a super lightweight backpack made from a durable ripstop, balancing performance with comfort. Its 20L capacity is just right for a single day's needs, and an internal document sleeve… read more
THE LITE SLING BAG FROM BELLROY
Believe us, the Lite Sling Bag from Bellroy will make your next adventure feel as weightless as Cruise in Top Gun.
With a 7L capacity, it has an expandable gusset that self-compresses, a front zip compartment with slip pockets and a key clip, a main compartment with a raised sunglasses pouch, an interior slip pocket for small items, and padded paneling on its back so that you can keep your carry extremely comfortable.
Always stay light on your feet with this durable sling pack, which can be easily folded, rolled up, or packed for travel.
WHOO!
SPECIFICATIONS
- Durable ripstop is 3X lighter than Bellroy's other fabric, and made from 100% recycled PET plastic bottles
- Can be folded or rolled, and packed for travel
- Zipper opens from each end, for ultra-wide, unobstructed access
- Expandable gusset that self-compresses
- Front zip compartment with slip pockets and key clip
- Main compartment with raised sunglasses pouch
- Interior slip pocket for small items
- Magnetic clasp on the strap for easy removal
- Padded paneling on the back for comfort
- 150 x 310 x 110mm
- 7L capacity
Lite Sling Bag
$85.00
[tab-section data-sc-active-background="#ffffff" data-sc-other-background="#ffffff" data-sc-color="#555555"][tab title="Details"] Welcome to Bellroy's brand new Lite collection. Made of durable ripstop 3x lighter than the usual fabric, this Lite Sling makes your adventures feel weightless. Keep what you need close at hand with its 7L… read more
Lite Sling Bag
$89.00
[tab-section data-sc-active-background="#ffffff" data-sc-other-background="#ffffff" data-sc-color="#555555"][tab title="Details"] Welcome to Bellroy's brand new Lite collection. Made of durable ripstop 3x lighter than the usual fabric, this Lite Sling makes your adventures feel weightless. Keep what you need close at hand with its 7L… read more
Is Iceman telling Maverick “You! You are still dangerous, but you can be my wingman any time” and Maverick responding by saying “Bulls***! You can be mine!” the most epic Gallantry Man Legend exchange of all-time?! You decide!
Is Iceman telling Maverick “You! You are still dangerous, but you can be my wingman any time” and Maverick responding by saying “Bulls***! You can be mine!” the most epic Gallantry Man Legend exchange of all-time?! You decide!STREAMING THE EDC TOP GUN BAG
If a July 4th BBQ became an actual movie, there's not a shadow of a doubt that the movie would be the one and only Top Gun, just dripping with straight-up swagger like the legit crescendo of Americana that it is. If for no other reason, this is why you should absolutely get your 80’s nostalgia on by streaming Top Gun on Netflix HERE right now!
YES!
“Awwwww yeah! It’s Wednesday, baby! There’s gonna be a new issue of The Dispatch by Gallantry showing up in my inbox in no time! Hell yeah! Let’s go!!!!”
