Media Analysis Fiction – Top Gun
Narrative:
Film follows a classic narrative structure. The film has a clear
beginning, a middle (where there is a problem) and a classic
Hollywood ending. The beginning introduces us to the main
characters, Maverick and Goose, and begins to introduce the plot. In
the film we are introduced to dare devil pilot, Maverick, and follow
him on a quest to become the best of the best at the Top Gun Naval
Academy. During his quest Maverick must overcome an obstacle that
has disrupted the initial situation, so that he can continue on his quest.
For Maverick the obstacle is regaining his confidence after the death of
his best friend and co-pilot Goose. By the end, after a typical talk with
the classic father figure (viper) Maverick regains his confidence, saves
the day by helping his enemy (iceman) to defeat the MIGs and to tie up
all the loose ends (in a Classic Hollywood manner) he gets the girl,
Charlie. This follows the Todorov theory of narrative structure with an
initial situation being disrupted resulting in a new or altered situation.
Representation:
Charlie:
Top Gun presents the audience with a strong representation of a
modern woman. The main female character in Top Gun is presented o
the audience as a strong woman in charge of her life. Charlie is clearly
identified as being different from normal representations of women
through the way she dresses. When we are first introduced to her as a
character we see her being chatted up by maverick in a bar. The
women in the bar are all dressed for a night out whereas Charlie is seen
wearing jeans and a shapeless jumper that does not emphasise her
femininity. In fact she appears more masculine in the way she dresses.
Later in the film we see her in a skirt but she is wearing what appears
to be a man’s shirt and a leather jacket just like the men in the film.
This again creates a more masculine representation and thus puts
emphasise on her being a strong woman. Another way the film
emphasises the masculine elements of Charlie’s character is through
her name. Although she is called Charlotte, which is a feminine name,
she is referred to as Charlie throughout which is a masculine form of
her name and therefore reinforcing this part of her character.
Furthermore Charlie’s job in this film also promotes a masculine image
of her. Charlie is a female instructor taking and active role in the US
military. Although not a military person herself she is in charge of the
men and what she says they must do. This places her firmly in a role of
power which is usually reserved for men.
This representation of Charlie is non stereotypical in terms of women
in action films. Women in actions films are often depicted as being
weak and unimportant. Charlie however is shown to be vital to the
story and to the men she is in charge of. Usually in action films
women are reduced to the damsel in distress role. Basically the female
characters are there to be rescued in some way by the lead male
character. However it is Charlie who saves Maverick. It is after her
discussion with him that he seeks Viper out for advice that helps him
regain his confidence. Prior to this discussion maverick had planned on
leaving, running away from his problems. Charlie does not follow a
stereotypical role in her role of love interest. This is demonstrated
through her actions. When Maverick comes on to Charlie she shoots
him down in flames. Furthermore when she discovers that he was the
pilot who confronted a MIG she invites him to supper. Even within the
relationship she takes an active role as demonstrated by her telling
Maverick that he couldn’t have a shower, after turning up late for
dinner sweaty from a volleyball game, because she was hungry. This
dominate nature is also evident in her job. Women in military films are
often reduced minor roles of secretaries or computer operators.
However Charlie is the only female instructor who has clearance from
the Pentagon thus showing how important she is regarded by the men
in charge. She dictates and critiques the men on their flying ability.
This is not the normal role for a female in an action film thus her being
non-stereotypical.
Audience:
Target:
This film appears to be aimed at men in general particularly those aged
between15 and 49. However it can also be argued that women would
enjoy the film, particularly those who are interested in romance or a
strong female character.
Men:
Men are likely to enjoy this film thanks to the special effects used. This
film has a great number of explosions and aerial chase sequences that
are exciting and would generally appeal to those people who like high
octane stunts. Furthermore the film itself deals with the US military
which men in general tend to find interesting. The fact that the TOP
GUN academy is an actual military base would also interest a male
audience as they would get to see what it is like to be part of an elite
group. Throughout the film there are several moments of male bonding
that might interest a male audience more than a female audience.
Throughout the film are locker room scenes in which we see the men
boast about how they performed in that day’s activity. This is
particularly useful in the development of the competitive natures of
Iceman and Maverick, as well as given us a good reason why they
seem to hate each other. This film also shows men at their peak
physical condition and would perhaps encourage a male audience to
work out and get in shape.
Women:
The producers appear to have used the element of romance to help
encourage women to see this film. One the poster we have a picture of
Charlie and Maverick close together giving the impression of romance.
Romance is a particularly female genre and so the producers would
have included it to encourage women to see this film. Furthermore
there are a number of scenes in which the men are walking about with
their shirts off and wearing nothing but a towel. These men are
depicted as being highly attractive and therefore a female audience
may enjoy this aspect of the film. Finally women might be attracted to
this film through the character of Charlie. At the time of Top Gun’s
release women were starting to take on more active roles in action
films. Thanks to James Cameron’s “Alien” in which the only surviving
character was the female lead, Ripley. Capitalising on this the Top Gun
production team highlighted that this film also had a strong female
character which the female audience might be able to identify with.
Budget:
Budget on the whole helped this text become the success it was. They
would have received some of the funding for the film from product
placement. Product placement is where a film prominently features
products or brands. Basic with ever increasing budgets the producers
had to find other sources of income and this is one of the easiest ways.
In Top Gun the audience will notice the glasses worn by Tom Cruiser
and the other pilots as being Ray Bans. There are no other brands of
glasses in this film. They all wear the same aviation style glasses that
went on to become extremely popular after the film’s release. Pepsi are
also given a prominent place between the couple during the final scene.
As the money has come from these sources there products must be
given pride of place in the film. However this is not the only source of
income for this film. The producers themselves would have invested a
great deal of their own money into the film therefore giving them more
control over the creative elements of the film. For example they made
the director re film sections that they did not like. Another source of
income, as well as expertise, would have come from Paramount.
Paramount was the longest standing American studio and has a
reputation for making pro America action films. Therefore to ensure
their support the producers had to make sure there were a number of
positive aspects of America shown such as them defeating the
unknown enemy despite not having the best planes and also the
number of times we see either the American flag or the colours of the
flag. The producers would have saved money on the actors hired to
play the lead roles. With the exception of Viper played by Tom
Skerritt, the actors in this film were relatively new therefore they
would have been less expensive than those actors who were already
house hold names. The money saved from less well known actors and
gained from product placement could then be used to create a film that
was visually amazing so that people wanted to see it. Crashing planes
and aerial sequences are highly expensive and therefore a huge portion
of the budget would have had to be kept for this.