Today’s quick review: Hot Shots!. Charlie Sheen stars as Topper Harley, the Navy’s best fighter pilot, whose reckless flying caused him to be kicked out of the service. Now the Navy wants Topper back to lead a mission planned by the absent-minded Admiral Benson (Lloyd Bridges) and being sabotaged from within by Lieutenant Commander Block (Kevin Dunn). The team includes Jim “Wash Out” Pfaffenbach (Jon Cryer), a pilot with abysmal vision; Pete “Dead Meat” Thompson (William O’Leary), a friendly pilot who seems to lead a charmed life; and Kent Gregory (Cary Elwes), an arrogant pilot who thinks Topper is dangerous to himself and others. To complicate matters, Topper falls in love with Ramada (Valeria Golino), a Navy psychiatrist with a knack for horseback riding. It’s up to Topper to overcome sabotage, disharmony, and his own free spirit to save the mission.
Hot Shots! is a hilarious parody of Top Gun from the creators of Airplane!. The style of humor is persistently and unabashedly silly, from a leaf blower on a battleship to a helium-filled peace pipe. Sight gags, slapstick, and faux drama abound. Charlie Sheen manages to deliver his ridiculous lines with all the gravity of a serious action star. He’s matched by Valeria Golino, who applies the same straight-faced delivery to petty drama, absurd tangents, and skewed romantic banter. Lloyd Bridges plays the clownish role of Admiral Benson with clueless cheer that brings an overtly comedic character to a cast trying their best to sell gag lines as serious. The prolific humor is complemented by a surprisingly strong soundtrack, with a catchy main theme and a couple of love songs to give Hot Shots! the feigned gravitas it desires.
Hot Shots! is a great watch for anyone with a silly sense of humor. The gags are non-stop and inventive, the dramatic acting makes the jokes all the funnier, and the soundtrack gives the film just enough kick to ape a more serious take on the concept. Skip Hot Shots! if you dislike sight gags, slapstick, or general silliness. Hot Shots! is an excellent entry in a particular, Airplane!-esque style of comedy. You’ll enjoy it if you like the genre.
6.7 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.5 for an endless, entertaining stream of silly humor.