Actors: Charlie Sheen, Cary Elwes, Valeria Golino, Kevin Dunn, Lloyd Bridges
Review Summary and Plot Commentary about Hot Shots
Ace navy pilot Topper Harley, discharged for wilful insubordination, is called back for a dangerous mission code named “Sleepy Weasel”. Haunted by the blame placed on his father Buzz twenty years ago in the death of another pilot named Mailman, Topper must now work with that man's son, Lt. Kent Gregory, and endure Kent's wrath and taunts. Their rivalry intensifies with their mutual attraction to base psychiatrist Ramada Thompson.
Unknown to the pilots or to scatterbrained Admiral Benson, Lt. Commander James Block wants this mission to fail. To make the navy's jets seem inferior so that super fighters can replace them, he plans mechanical sabotage and the exploitation of Topper's tendency tense up at the mere mention of Buzz. In a test flight, Topper outshines Kent's ability to fly below enemy radar by buzzing pedestrians on a city street. But his self-doubts deepen when his hot date with Ramada – complete with unusual culinary intimacies and silly shots at other movies - makes him late for an aerial combat exercise, and his walleyed colleague “Washout” flies for him, causing the death of another pilot.
On board the S.S. Essess in the Mediterranean, Topper and Kent prepare for their assignment – the destruction of a nuclear weapons plant – by having their latest mutual hissy fit. Over Kent's objections, Topper is to lead the squadron. They blast into enemy airspace. Topper has disturbing flashbacks at Block's mention of Buzz, but perseveres. Disturbed by the danger, Block tells Topper a truth about Buzz that renews his spirits. With two heat-seeking missiles on his tail, Topper heroically orders his squadron back to the carrier and tackles the mission alone. He manages to drop a bomb onto the poolside-lounging Saddam Hussein, and to fool the missiles tailing him into destroying the plant. Then he loses contact.
--vjm, Resident Scholar
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Analysis of Hot Shots
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Comedy, primarily
Yes
Time/era of movie:
- present (2000-2010)
If a parody... of
- war movies
How much humor v. drama
- Nearly all humor
Main Character
Identity:
- Male
Profession/status:
- navy soldier
Age:
- 20's-30's
Eccentric:
Yes
- emotionally unstable
Hair color?
- brunette (Black)
Hair type
- (man) short/standard straight
Body type
- (man) muscular
Unclothed?
- Chest
Events of movie makes character more...
- tougher
Ethnicity/Nationality
- White (American)
Secondary Main Character
Identity:
- Female
Hair color
- brunette (Brown)
Hair style
- (woman) long curly
Body type
- (woman) average
How much in movie?
- 90%-100%
Main Adversary
Identity:
- Male
Age:
- 40's-50's
Profession/status:
- navy soldier
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- 80%
How sensitive is this character?
- middling sensitive to others' feelings
Setting
United States
Yes
The US:
- Southwest
Air?
Yes
Air:
- warplane
Misc setting
- fort/military installation
Style
Accounts of torture and death?
- generic/vague references to death/punishment
Movie makes you feel...
- full of laughter
Any profanity?
- Occasional swearing
If soundtrack VERY NOTICEABLE...
- Classic/oldies rock
